birthcontrol and brastfeeding

I WAS WONDERING WHAT EFFECTS DO ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES HAVE ON YOUR BREST MILK OR CHILD IF YOUR BREAST FEEDING WHILE TAKING THE PILL(TRYCYCLENE), IF THEY ARE OR ARE NOT RECOMENDED. IF THERE NOT RECOMENDED THEN WHAT IS THE BEST FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL TO USE WHILE BREASTFEEDING.

[chevyjewel]

"If you are breastfeeding you should not take the pill as it can reduce the amount of milk. Other forms of contraception are available if you are breastfeeding."


I've seen it completely dry up a breastfeeding mother's milk supply. They didn't give any other examples but we use natural family planning - the Billings Ovulation Method to be exact. I imagine condoms and maybe an IUD would work too but than that I don't know of any other method that's compatable with breastfeeding.

[nurse12hr]

There ARE types of progestin-only birth control pills that you CAN use while breastfeeding--all you have to do is call your ob office and ask for an appt to come in and see if they are right for you.

good luck!

[chey101]

i am a breast feeding mom and got a iud put in 3 months post-partum, it did not dry up my milk of cause any side affects for my son. but i had complications from it, it was removed 3 weeks later. u can totally feel an iud, it always felt like i had a tampon up there, it was very uncomfortable. i have found with both my children while i was breastfeeding i did not become pregnant, i breastfeed my daughter for 15 months, and didn't become pregnant untill 2 years post-partum. i am still breastfeeding my son (7 months) but i don't have to worry anymore 'cause there dad got clampped. i would not totally rely on this.
good luck on finding whats right for you.

[Missy04]

I took the progestin pills that Christie is talking about while I was breastfeeding.  I breastfed mostly but did supplement with formula for the 2 days a week I worked.  I had no problems with my supply of milk.  My doctor told me that while you are breastfeeding the only oral pills you should take are the progestin.  And it is true you are less likely to become pregnant while breastfeeding but it is not 100% so if you do not want to become pregnant I would recommend some type of Birth control.

[chevyjewel]

"Progestin-Only Pills
Progestin-only OCs are a good option for breastfeeding women who want oral contraception because, unlike combined OCs, they clearly do not reduce milk production (see sidebar, Progestin-Only OCs for Breastfeeding Women). The progestin-only pill was developed in the early 1970s in response to the reports on estrogen and thrombo-embolic disease. Each progestin-only tablet contains 0.3 to 0.6 mg of the norethindrone progestins or else 0.03 to 0.0375 mg levonorgestrel. Unlike combined OCs, progestin-only pills are taken continuously, with no hormone-free intervals between cycles. Progestin-only pills have never become widely used. Outside the context of breastfeeding, they are somewhat less effective than combined OCs. Missing progestin-only pills or taking them at differing times of day may increase the risk of pregnancy more than with combined OCs."

I would just be careful. That's why I wrote what I did earlier.