Pumping Exclusviely and Taking Temp Daily
Question
My wife has been strictly pumping, and not breastfeeding, our ten week old baby girl. We’ve been charting temperature every morning, but not checking the mucus or cervix observations.
I assume that the general NFP rule of the “3rd normal shift” indicates beginning of Phase III, correct? Is temperature the best indication or should we be charting mucus as well at this point?
Finally, at what point does a women’s period return after only pumping? I assume it’s the same as breastfeeding?
Thanks!
Ray
Answer
Last Updated: December 1, 2021
If you mean that you are relying on taking your temperature to know when fertility returns, it will only tell you that in hindsight—ie, that ovulation already occurred. To know you are fertile on any given day, the woman must observe for the presence or absence of mucus.
Regarding the timing of the return of fertility, it can take months for fertility to return, or it could be imminent. In general, I would suggest pumping is probably not going to be as effective at delaying the return of fertility as nursing at the breast, but what is generally true is only minimally helpful, as the important point is that how soon fertility returns varies, and so the key is for the woman to observe the characteristics of the cervical mucus to know on any given day if she is fertile or infertile.
Hope this helps increase your understanding of the effect of breastfeeding, whether pumping or not, on the return of fertility. For specifics, it is best to contact an NFP teacher for guidance in accurately interpreting YOUR fertility.
Sheila St. John
Regarding the timing of the return of fertility, it can take months for fertility to return, or it could be imminent. In general, I would suggest pumping is probably not going to be as effective at delaying the return of fertility as nursing at the breast, but what is generally true is only minimally helpful, as the important point is that how soon fertility returns varies, and so the key is for the woman to observe the characteristics of the cervical mucus to know on any given day if she is fertile or infertile.
Hope this helps increase your understanding of the effect of breastfeeding, whether pumping or not, on the return of fertility. For specifics, it is best to contact an NFP teacher for guidance in accurately interpreting YOUR fertility.
Sheila St. John
Answered By:
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, coordinating the non-profit’s education and advocacy efforts throughout the state. Initially attracted to NFP as a healthy, effective method for planning families, drug, device and surgery free, her passion for NFP has grown over the last 42 years as she has journeyed with the over 900 couples she has personally instructed in its use, and been privileged to witness its role in overcoming infertility, women’s health, and the transformation that occurs in lives of men, women, and families, when we embrace God’s design for love and life.
