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Optimal family planning promotes improved health and survival for both mother and child

Generic C-IYCF Package (2012) (UNICEF | 2011)
Optimal family planning promotes improved health and survival for both mother and child

Key Messages

  • Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy means waiting at least 2 to 3 years before becoming pregnant again.
  • Spacing your children allows:
    • More time to breastfeed and care for each child.
    • More time for your body to recover between pregnancies.
    • More money because you have fewer children, and thus fewer expenses for school fees, clothing, food, etc.
  • Feeding your baby only breast milk for the first 6 months helps to space births in a way that is healthy for both you and your baby.
    • By exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first 6 months you can prevent pregnancy ONLY if:
      • you feed the baby only breast milk
      • your menstrual period has not returned
      • your baby is less than 6 months old
    • This family planning method is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, or LAM.
      • L = lactational
      • A = no menses
      • M = method of family planning
    • If any of these three conditions change, you are no longer protected from becoming pregnant again.
  • It is important to seek advice from the nearest clinic about what modern family planning methods are available, as well as when and how to use them.

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