Women who breast feed their children have a temporary reduction in fertility which is one of nature's methods of birth control. The medical term is lactational amenorrhea which means lack of menstruation due to breast feeding.

Two things are necessary for the method to be successful:

• The woman must not be having her periods. If she does, she can get pregnant.

• She must be fully, or nearly fully, breast feeding. This means that she is the primary source of her child's nutrition. Her breasts must be emptied every four hours. This means using a breast pump if she's not with her child all the time.

This method can be very effective for 6 months or even longer.