Proportion of eligible women who give birth in a given period of time who consciously and deliberately accept LAM as a modern contraceptive method. This is self-reported use of a family planning method.

The rate can be calculated using the following equation:

# of women using LAM as a family planning method x 100
Total # of women with infants <6 months

Total # of mothers with infants less than 6 months old

To correctly calculate the LAM Rate, data are needed on the total number of women with infants less than 6 months old, and of those, the number who choose to use LAM as a method of family planning.

Population-based surveys employing representative samples (e.g., DHS).
Family planning service statistics (if data are systematically obtained on the age of the youngest child).

LAM is defined by three criteria:
1. The woman’s menstrual periods have not resumed, and
2. The infant is fully or nearly fully breastfed,2 and
3. The infant is less than 6 months old.

See sample survey with questions needed to calculate the rate. The LAM rate calculator allows you to insert your clinic or population-based survey data from which the LAM rate will be automatically calculated.

The LAM rate can be used as a proxy for the expanded offering of LAM. One shortcoming of this indicator is that it is based on self-report, without verification that the respondent actually fulfills the three criteria listed above. A more precise measure would include questions that confirm that the respondent knows the three criteria and that she meets them. For alternative LAM indicators, click here.