ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES WHILE BREASTFEEDING
Is it okay to take the birth control pill while breastfeeding?
Yes, depending on which type of oral contraceptive it is. There are two areas of concern about taking birth control pills while breastfeeding:
effects on milk production
the possible effect of hormones on the baby.
EFFECTS ON MILK PRODUCTION
Some oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin, others progestin only. Estrogen- containing birth control pills are not considered compatible with breastfeeding since estrogens suppress milk production. The progestin-only pill (called the mini pill), has not been reported to affect milk production.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF HORMONES ON BABY
A small amount of the synthetic hormones in these contraceptives does enter the milk, but there is no evidence that this is a danger to the baby. Follow-up studies have revealed no long-term problems in babies and children who continue to breastfeed while their mothers use hormonal contraceptives, with or without estrogen. Some physicians, however, do question the use of hormonal contraception in lactating mothers because of possible unknown effects on their children's long-term sexual or reproductive development.
YOUR OPTIONS
Because of concerns about estrogen-containing contraceptives affecting the milk supply, most doctors and mothers prefer progestin-only oral contraceptives or progestin-only implants (for example, Norplant ) during lactation. However, the progestin-only pill is slightly less effective in suppressing ovulation than the combined estrogen/progestin pill, so it has to be taken absolutely as prescribed. You cannot occasionally "miss a pill" and still expect to be protected against pregnancy.
Doctors recommend that you delay the use of oral contraceptives until at least six weeks postpartum. There are two reasons for this: your milk supply and breastfeeding pattern should be well established by that time, and an older baby is better able to metabolize any hormones that may appear in the milk. If you do decide to use the combined estrogen/progestin pill, you should wait until six months postpartum, when other foods in baby's diet can make up for any drop in your milk supply.
Different brands of oral contraceptive affect different women in different ways. One kind may affect a particular woman's milk supply, while another may not. Prescriptions for oral contraceptives should be individualized, based on how your body reacts.
2006-07-21 07:19:39
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answer #1
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answered by 1hotmama5 2
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YES...you can take birth control while breastfeeding.
EXCLUSIVELY nursing (nothing but breastmilk and baby doesn't go long periods w/o nursing) is as good as condoms for birth control as long as your period hasn't returned and baby is under 6 months.
As for hormonal BC.....
It's recommended that any estrogen-containing contraceptive be avoided until baby is at least six months old AND after baby is well-established on solid foods.
Progestin-only contraceptives are the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers when something hormonal is desired or necessary. (The mini-pill is one example.) For most mothers, progestin-only forms of contraception do not cause problems with milk supply if started after the 6th-8th week postpartum and if given at normal doses. However, there are many reports (most anecdotal but nevertheless worth paying attention to) that some women do experience supply problems with these pills, so if you choose this method you still need to proceed with some caution.
2006-07-21 07:27:03
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answer #2
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answered by momma2mingbu 7
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Depends on the birth control. You can be on the depo shot while breastfeeding no problem. The problem with the pill is it can slow your milk down, so most docs recommend waiting at least 6 weeks to start it post delivery and going with the mini-pill, not a estrogen based pill. You always have diaphragm options, condoms, spermicides and permanent options too.
Your best bet is to talk to your pediatrician and ob/gyn, between the two you should be able to come up with a plan that works for you.
2006-07-21 07:24:06
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answer #3
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answered by barefeet561 5
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You can use birth control methods, but don't take birth control pills. The hormones in them will go to your baby and do who knows what! You can still use diaphams/condoms etc. Breast feeding acts as a form of birth control for some people, but not all. I've had friends who never had their period before becoming pregnant again.
2006-07-21 07:13:04
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answer #4
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answered by Plain and Simple 5
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Yes. But taking regular birth control pills may cut down on your milk supply. There is a "mini" pill that only contains one of the hormones from the regular pill. It must be taken more regularly than the regular pill ( within 3 hours of the scheduled time or it's considered a missed day).
2006-07-21 08:23:54
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answer #5
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answered by Crystal 2
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Absolutely not, whatever you eat drink or take is all passed to your baby through the breast milk. If you still decided to take the birth control than stop breast feeding asap. You should talk this over with your doctor also if he/she Say's it is okay get a second option
2006-07-21 07:13:38
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answer #6
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answered by mommy2faithat19#3 4
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They say that it is not a good idea. The baby could have something wrong with it if the meds get into its system. It could really mess the baby up. My mom had my brother when she was on birth control and we had real big medical problems with him when he was a baby.
2006-07-21 07:14:17
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answer #7
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answered by Ms.Questions/lb 5
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No. Breastfeeding is natural birth control Don't believe me? Ask your doctor. You shouldn't get pregnant while you are breast feeding. It's something that your body does. Having said that, it is not entirely impossible.
2006-07-21 07:11:51
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answer #8
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answered by Blunt Honesty 7
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I would think not. I have a friend who breastfed all three of her children and she didn't ovulate while she breastfed. But always talk with your doctor before taking anything. All medications are likely to transfer to child.
Mom to 2 boys and baby on the way!
2006-07-21 07:16:01
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Yes you can but it is a spacial form of birth control that is missing something in it that will hurt the baby but it is still affective
2006-07-21 07:13:06
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answer #10
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answered by rebecca 3
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