A study released recently documents some of the medical problems associated with having children “too close” together. I know that it takes the uterus two full years to recover from a pregnancy, so most of this didn’t suprise me too much. What’s interesting to me to consider is how close child spacing is so much more rare when certain things are practiced in combination: cosleeping, ecological breastfeeding, no pacifiers, etc. A lot of thoughts swirl around in my head regarding God’s intentions, man’s interventions, the development of so much beneficial medical technology that helps bridge the gap, etc.
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I’ve always thought that having children two to three years apart would be “ideal,” based on medical research and child development. Of course, the ideal is often different from the reality. I also used to think that *everyone* who practiced ecological breastfeeding, cosleeping, etc. would certainly not experience return of menses until the appropriate time to space their children perfectly. (Oftentimes, I’m far too hasty in my conclusions.)
Then I found out that some women, including myself, can nurse ’round the clock and have return of menses at three and a half months post partum. (Extreme stress can do this.) I think it’s rare, but I know for certain it happens! I’d love to read more research on the science behind breastfeeding, return of menses, etc.
Good food for thought. I find myself wishing that I knew with more certainty what God’s intentions are regarding number of children, spacing, etc.
Yeah, the fall definitely affected things…
I had an emergency C-section with my first son and was given no advice whatsoever about a safe gap before a second pregnancy.
I did a bit of research online and thought that two years at least, would be safe. I worked as a community nurse before I had children, we frequently saw mums (often young) coming for their 6 week post-natal check who were already pregnant, some who had a C-section delivery! They all formula fed their babies.
My first son was 2.5yrs when number 2 son was born – at home :0)
mmmm…that is interesting. I have had a little of both. I had three pregnancies in three years. The first two have exactly two years between them the second two 15 months. I became pregnant with my last baby when my youngest son was 4. Interesting. All my children have been over 8 lbs with the third son being the biggest at 1o lbs 9 oz. I nurse round the clock and my mensus returns around th 5th month. We co-sleep too for the first 4-5 months.
As the resident old fogey here, who only recently learned what “cosleeping” is, though we’ve always done it that way (we just thought it was, you know, normal), I have to ask: What is ecological breastfeeding?
Well since I am expecting my third and my children are 2 years and 1 year I would have to say that I am definitely not following the guidelines. But believing that God is sovereign in my pregnancies also means that he will be sovereign in how my body handles this stress. I had a c-section with my second and was advised a minimum of 6 months before getting pregnant again (preferably a year which I didn’t make). But thankfully I have a doctor who is supportive and encouraging. Nothing wrong with having children spaced out but I love having my 3 this close!
Yeah, I love co-sleeping and exclusive breastfeeding, but it didn’t help me out in the natural birth control area at all. We’re using another method to prevent pregnancy.
Ecological breastfeeding is classified by:
* Breastfeeding must be the infant’s only source of nutrition – no formula, no pumping, and (if the infant is less than six months old) no solids.
* The infant must be pacified at the breast, not with pacifiers or bottles
* The infant must be breastfed often. The standards for LAM (at least every 4 hours during the day, 6 at night) are a bare minimum; more frequency is better. Scheduling of feedings should be avoided.
* Mothers must sleep with their infants – in the same room, if not in the same bed.
* Mothers must not be separated from their infants for more than three hours a day.
* Mothers must take daily naps with their infants.
***
I have read several places that not using a pacifier and getting all the comfort from the breast really is key to suppressing fertility. (Not that I do that, but I do all the rest.)
Every family needs to prayerfully consider child spacing/fertility issues on their own. I definitely think that since we (as a culture) don’t breastfeed in the ways that women have for millenia, we do need to consider that as we excercise stewardship over our fertility.
Ah, thanks. I can tell you I’ve got that napping thing down cold. From the time my second child was born I always tried to read to my older ones while nursing the baby, but I never – I always fall asleep nursing, so nursing time has become Mama’s nap time. What a blessing it is to have older ones to look after the younger ones while I’m napping with the baby.
Evelyn breastfed about every 2 to 3 hours during the day, and co-slept and breastfed about every 2 to 3 hours at night and all it bought me was thirty days. I’m really sleepy.
“A lot of thoughts swirl around in my head regarding God’s intentions, man’s interventions. . .
*nods*
And like someone mentioned, when the fall is factored in, things don’t always work as originally designed.
I find great joy in my stairstep spaced boys. But. I really, really appreciate the greater spacing between #3 and #4, when I was beginning to put into practice responsive breastfeeding, sleeping with the baby, etc. My MIL was right–it’s good to let the baby be the baby for awhile. . .
we leave family planning up to the Lord , using no bc at all , and feel if He brings the babies He’ll take care of the body. we cosleep, ecologically breastfeed, and don’t usually get menses – i just get pg again! 4x in 4 yrs.:)
We’ve been taught, and experience seems to bear this to be true on the individual level, that breastfeeding is only good for a couple months as a method of “birth control,” and that it is possible to ovulate before restarting your menses, and so it would conceivably be physiolgically possible to become fertile (and possibly pregnant again) after delivering a child without having a single noticeable “cycle.”
wow. ecological breastfeeding sounds really strict. how long do those “conditions” apply? When is it “ok” for mom to be separated from the child for more than 3 hours?
i have nursed each of my children for between 15 and 19 months. we cosleep til they are ready to move into their own beds in our room . 1 child was 4, the other 2 so it depends on the child.
since i nurse i can’t be away for more than 2 hrs until nursing is not the main source of food. not a problem tho.
My fertility returned at 6 weeks PP with dd#1 though I was following all the “guidelines”. I continued to do those things, though, it just felt “right” to me anyway. :) It will be interesting to see what happens this time, since I’m tandem nursing!
Interesting article I came across last night related to this. . .
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/3156/lam.htm