No one can control how a woman feels about an early return of fertility or, for that matter, a surprise pregnancy. All we can do is to make sure that the subject is adequately taught. The duration of breastfeeding amenorrhea among American mothers following the Seven Standards of ecological breastfeeding seems to follow a normal curve with about 7% having a period in the first six months, about 50 percent in amenorrhea at 14.5 months, and 33% still in amenorrhea at 18 months. Ordinary people can understand this once it has been clearly taught, just as ordinary people can understand that a 99% level of effectiveness is not the same as 100% effectiveness.
Sheila did not invent the reality of ecological breastfeeding. She simply stood on the shoulders of many who had reported their studies of breastfeeding amenorrhea, and she gave it an identity. Her great contribution was to look at the various research reports from the perspective of a nursing mom and wonder if and to what extent maternal behaviors influence the duration of amenorrhea. She developed a hypothesis, conducted a survey, and published the bases for the Seven Standards.
The point is this: The only reason to include breastfeeding in a course on natural family planning is because the right kind of breastfeeding—–ecological breastfeeding—–does act as a natural baby spacer. This is the way God made women, and every woman and every couple have a God-given right to know this part of God’s plan for self-giving love, marriage, and baby-care.
It also needs to be said that it is not morally wrong to choose to do ecological breastfeeding (EBF) in order to experience the side effect of delayed fertility. That may not be the highest reason for choosing EBF, and most couples who choose EBF for that reason soon have to focus on the total welfare of the baby in order to persevere. The natural spacing is, however, a God-designed effect, a good thing, and it is morally good to hope to experience it.
Home Study Course: This course was required for an engaged couple by a priest in the diocese of Orange, California. After finishing the written part of the course via email this month, the couple was asked: “On a scale of 1(least) to 10, what is the likelihood that you will promote NFP among your family and friends?” They responded: “10. Can we say 11? :)” This couple was quite pleased with all they had learned. We hope more priests will help their engaged couples by recommending the NFPI home study course for marriage preparation. It’s one of the cheapest programs, but it offers way more options and information than almost all other programs in the United States.
John F. Kippley
www.NFPandmore.org