Re-Introducing LAM to Family Planning Programs

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a FP method of proven efficacy, acceptability, and programmatic feasibility. It is based on the ovulation-supressing effect of breastfeeding. LAM has the potential to meet the FP needs of an important proportion of postpartum women. It has also been shown that using LAM increases the likelihood of using another family planning method once fertility returns. All this can be particularly important for programs serving populations who do not readily accept other types of FP methods, and women who have never used FP. Maternal and peri-natal mortality and morbidity are high in these groups; thus further spacing of pregnancies can potentially have an important health benefit for them.

However, although LAM was introduced to health programs over a decade ago, most FP programs throughout the world are not offering it or providing it to their clients on a scale sufficient to have an impact.

An implementation model, training and counseling protocols, tools, and client materials have been developed that emphasize the transition to other effective, modern methods when LAM is no longer effective. The model, tools, and materials continue to promote improved and sustained breastfeeding and nutrition practices.

This approach has caught the interest of health policy makers and program managers in several countries where previous LAM efforts have not been successful. LAM activities are underway in Mali and Burkina Faso following this approach.

This presentation will describe LAM models and tools; and project activities and results in Mali and Burkina Faso.