Training of Trainers for Mother-to-Mother Support ... - Linkages Project

13. Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Learning objectives/content/messages
Learning objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will
be able to:
• Name and explain the three LAM
criteria.
• State the effectiveness of LAM.
Content:
The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)
is a contraceptive method based on
natural infertility resulting from exclusive
breastfeeding. To use LAM, a woman
must meet three criteria:
1. The woman’s menstrual periods have
not resumed.
2. The baby must be exclusively
breastfed on demand, frequently, day
and night.
3. The baby must be under 6 months old.
When any one of the three criteria
changes or the woman wishes to begin
another method, another contraceptive
method must be started immediately.
Lactational = exclusive breastfeeding, on
demand, day and night.
Amenorrhea = no menstrual bleeding after
2 months postpartum.
Method = a modern, temporary (6 months
post-partum) contraceptive method.
Materials/times/activities
Materials:
• Cloth poster on LAM
• Handout 13a: “Illustration of LAM
Criteria”
• Handout 13b: “Illustration of
Breastfeeding and Fertility”
• Handout 13c: “Optimal Breastfeeding
Practices”
• Handout 13d: “Case Studies to Identify
LAM Criteria”
• 13e: Case studies answer key
Time:
60 minutes
Activity:
Ask participants to share their own or their
communities’ experience of breastfeeding
preventing pregnancy.
Explain the difference between
breastfeeding, amenorrhea, and LAM, and
the three criteria for LAM.
Discuss and summarize in plenary.
Exclusive breastfeeding on demand alters
a woman’s hormonal levels, delaying
ovulation and menstruation. After 6
months post-partum, the chance of
ovulation increases and may precede the
return of menses. Clinical studies have
shown LAM to be more than 98%
effective. For example, if 100 women use
LAM during the first 6 months post-partum,
1 or at most 2 women will become
pregnant.
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