LACTATION AND FERTILITY

Breastfeeding suppresses ovarian activity resulting in amenorrhea and infertility. The frequency of breastfeeds and their duration appear to be important in maintaining amenorrhea-and night-time sucking appears to be particularly crucial. Supplementary feeding may affect fertilit y by altering suckling behaviour, but the evidence is confusing as to whether feeding supplements reduces the duration of amenorrhea and inc reases the risk of conception. Mothers who are better nourished tend t o have a shorter period of amenorrhea than the malnourished, possibly because the infant has to suckle for a shorter period to obtain the no urishment needed, Lactation has an important effect on fertility at th e population level. However, it cannot be considered a reliable contra ceptive at an individual level. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.