For the healthiest outcomes for mothers and babies, Blanchard stressed that:
 

• Couples should wait at least 2 years after a birth before trying to conceive again, and at least 6 months after an abortion; and
• Girls should wait until they are least 18 to conceive for the first time.

Blanchard discussed the benefits of LAM, which is 98.5% effective against pregnancy when three criteria are met: mothers immediately and exclusively breastfeed; are amenorrheic; and have infants 6 months old or younger. However, it is crucial to transition to another modern family planning method when any one of these criteria no longer applies.
 
In addition, Blanchard shared new guidance from WHO that advises HIV+ mothers to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and only stop if a nutritionally adequate and safe diet can be provided. Globally, by employing all of these measures as well as other modern family planning methods, an increase in the birth-to-pregnancy interval to 36 months would reduce the deaths of children under five by more than 1.8 million a year.