Lactation and fertility

Trigger warning: This episode discusses fertility struggles, miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.Fertility and breastfeeding can be confusing, with conflicting information coming from friends, family and medical practitioners, so in this episode I speak to the knowledgeable Carol Smyth IBCLC to try and make sense of the issue. We talk about what effect breastfeeding has on your hormones, when periods return after birth, nursing and assisted conception, charting and perimenopause.You can find more from Carol, including her articles about fertility at www.carolsmyth.co.ukThe books Carol mentioned areTaking Charge Of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health by Toni WeschlerFertility Cycles and Nutrition by Marilyn ShannonFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.