Family Planning Method Fully or Nearly Fully Breastfeeding Partially Breastfeeding or Not Breastfeeding
Lactational Amenorrhea Method Immediately (Not applicable)
Vasectomy Immediately or during partner's pregnancy

Male or female condoms

Spermicides

Immediately

Progestin-only pills

Implants

Immediately

Copper-bearing IUD

Levonorgestrel IUD

Within 48 hours. Otherwise wait 4 weeks.
Female sterilization Within 7 days. Otherwise wait 6 weeks.
Progesterone-releasing vaginal ring 4–9 weeks postpartum

If breastfeeding at least
4 times a day, start at
4–9 weeks postpartum
Not breastfeeding:
Does not apply

Diaphragm Can be fitted 6 weeks after childbirth
Fertility awareness methods Start when normal secretions have returned (for symptoms-based methods) or she has had 3 regular menstrual cycles (for calendar-based methods). This will be later for breastfeeding women than for women who are not breastfeeding.
Progestin-only injectables

6 weeks after childbirth§

Immediately if not breastfeeding§

6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding§

Combined oral contraceptives 6 months after childbirth§ 21 days after childbirth if not breastfeeding§

6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding§

Monthly injectables
Combined patch
Combined vaginal ring

If a man has a vasectomy during the first 6 months of his partner’s pregnancy, it will be effective by the time she delivers her baby.

§ Earlier use is not usually recommended unless other, more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable.