Is it safe to get on birth control while breastfeeding>?

Question

I know breastfeeding is a form of b/c but my doctor kept insisting I get on the pill. Is it safe?

Answer 1

Yes, if you take a progesterone-only pill. Also called POP or mini-pill. This plus breastfeeding was effective for me.

Answer 2

There is a certain type of pill that you can use while breastfeeding. Your doctor should know what kind to prescribe, I believe there is only one kind out there. If you don't want to get pregnant I would take the pill or use another type of birth control, such as condom or an IUD.
Some IUD's contain no hormones so it will not get into your system. Do not rely on breastfeeding as birth control if your not ready for another baby! I took that special kind of pill when I breastfeed. No harm done.

Answer 3

Nice of your doctor to be willing to expose you to all the risks of using hormonal birth control!! Would *he* take something that can kill him or make him permanently infertile when it's completely unnecessary?!

If you are *exclusively* nursing (no bottles, pacifiers, or solids), haven't had a period, and your baby is less than 6 months old, breastfeeding alone is 98% effective. The Pill is only 90% effective for the first year of use (more if you have used it longer), and the minipill is even lower. You are *less* likely to get pregnant with only nursing than if you screw up your hormones.

As for safety, the Pill is usually safe for both mother and baby, but in *some* cases, it will decrease your milk supply. The minipill is less effective, but it is less likely to decrease your milk supply (it still can, though). Your milk supply is more likely to "bounce back" when you take the minipill if your supply *does* decrease. It is safest to *not* start taking either one until baby is at least 2 months old *and* has been nursing without difficulties for at least 1 month. But, again, there are no guarantees.

Answer 4

Breastfeeding is NOT a form of birth control...if that's what your Dr. told you you may want to get a new Dr. Also taking birth control pills can decrease your milk supply so make sure you research the different types to see which one is best for you.

Answer 5

Breastfeeding is not a form of birth control. Just listen to your doc, unless you want to get pregnant. You are more fertile now, that you will ever be.

Answer 6

breastfeeding does not gaurantee that you wont get pregnant...however I would NOT get on the pill - the pill has hormones in it that decrease your milk supply. I would go with a barrier method, such as condoms, diaphram, or and IUD...stay away from the hormonal birth control while nursing

Answer 7

You would be better off using condoms or OTC contraceptive gel. The pill is normally prescribed to women to help dry up the milk if they are not breastfeeding.

Answer 8

personally, i would not want to risk taking any hormone (pill) while breastfeeding. too often the medical establishment deems certain drugs safe, only to find out later that (whoops!) it wasn't so safe after all!

if i were you, i'd find an alternative form of bc until your child is weaned. i did... ask your doc for safer options for both you and your child.

Answer 9

b/c pills are safe & breastfeeding is NOT a form of b/c.....Myself & several of my friends have gotten pregnant while breastfeeding

Answer 10

With some women, birth control pills can dry up your breast milk. It didn't with me or any of the women in my family, but you should talk to your doctor or a lactation specialist.