Final answer:
Yes, a nursing mother can get pregnant, as breastfeeding-induced lactational amenorrhea is not completely reliable as a method of contraception. Hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin involved in milk production can suppress ovulation, but this effect is variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can a Nursing Mother Get Pregnant?
While breastfeeding is often associated with a natural period of infertility known as lactational amenorrhea, it is not a foolproof method of contraception. When a mother is nursing, her body goes through changes influenced by hormones needed for milk production and regulation. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, may suppress ovulation, decreasing the likelihood of pregnancy, but this effect varies and is not completely reliable in preventing pregnancy.
During lactation, the sucking stimulus from the infant prompts the hypothalamus to signal the anterior pituitary gland to release prolactin, which in turn prompts the mammary glands to produce milk. Oxytocin is also released, which not only aids in milk release but also encourages uterine contractions which can aid the uterus in returning to its pre-pregnancy size. However, as breastfeeding patterns and frequency change over time, especially after the introduction of supplemental feedings or when the infant starts sleeping through the night, the mother's body might begin to ovulate and menstruate again, thus increasing the chances of becoming pregnant.