Does birthcontrol effect a breastfed baby? I started my pills 4 days ago and my 7wk old has slept alot.?

Question

Is this normal? She hasn't slept like this since we brought her home from the hospital. Maybe she's going thru a growth spirt?

Answer 1

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html
Birth Control and Breastfeeding
By Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

Combination contraceptives
Progestin-only contraceptives
"Morning-After" pills
Side effects related to lactation
Here's the bottom line...
Info on selected contraceptive meds
References
Links for additional information
Combination contraceptives

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.

Combination contraceptives contain both progesterone and estrogen and come in several different forms:

The combination birth control pill (Alesse, Yasmin, Seasonale, Mircette, Loestrin, Lo/ovral, Demulen, Desogen, Nordette, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Triphasil, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, Ovral, etc.)
the monthly injection (Lunelle)
the birth control patch (Ortho Evra)
the vaginal ring (NuvaRing).
Milk supply: Estrogen-containing contraceptives have been linked to low milk supply and a shorter duration of breastfeeding even when started when baby is older, after milk supply is well established. Not all mothers who take contraceptives containing estrogen will experience a low milk supply, but these unaffected mothers appear to be a very small minority.

Safety: Both progestin (progesterone) and estrogen are approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for use in breastfeeding mothers. See below for additional information on side effects related to lactation.



Progestin-only contraceptives

Progestin-only contraceptives are the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers when something hormonal is desired or necessary.

Progestin-only contraceptives come in several different forms:

the progestin-only pill (POP) also called the "mini-pill" (Micronor, Errin, Nor-QD, Ovrette, Microval, etc)
the birth control injection (Depo Provera)
the progesterone-releasing IUD (Mirena, Progestasert)
the birth control implant (Norplant, Implanon).
Milk supply: 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.

If you're interested in one of the longer lasting progestin-only forms of birth control (the Depo-Provera shot lasts at least 12 weeks, but effects may be seen up to a year; the Mirena/Progestasert IUD and the Norplant implant can last up to 5 years), it may be a good idea to do a trial of progestin-only pills (mini-pill) for a month or more before deciding on the longer-term form of birth control. If you find that you are among the women whose supply drops significantly due to progestin-only birth control, you can simply discontinue the pills - rather than struggling with low milk supply for several months until the shot wears off or you get the implant or IUD removed.

Do note that the Mirena/Progestasert IUD delivers its hormone directly to the lining of the uterus, which only leads to a slight increase in progesterone levels in the blood stream (much lower than that found with the progesterone-only pill). As a result, there is much less chance of side effects from the progesterone than from the Depo-Provera shot or mini-pill.

Milk composition: At higher doses than normal this type of pill can affect the content of breastmilk. At these higher doses it has been shown to decrease the protein/nitrogen and lactose content of the milk. At regular doses, this does not seem to be as likely.

Safety: Progestin (progesterone) is approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers. See below for additional information on side effects related to lactation.

Answer 2

I took birth control while I breastfed my second and he didn't react. It is most likely a growth spurt that is just a coincidence. I started the mini-pill at 6wks and took it until the baby was 10 months and then started taking the full pill. He nursed until he was 15 months old with no side effects. Call the doc if you are worried but I would wager its just a growth spurt.

Answer 3

The biggest growth spurt of the first year occurs between 6 and 8 weeks. During this time, your baby will eat and sleep a lot. It sounds like it's more llikely that your baby is sleeping because of her growth spurt.

However, since the sleeping does seem to coincide with the start of your pills, you might want to double check with your doctor about the effects of your particular type of birth control pill on breastfeeding. I'm not aware of any of them having any affect on sleeping patterns, but I'm also not a doctor so I could be wrong!

Answer 4

There is only one type of birth control pill that is safe for breastfed babies and it is the low dose progesterin only pill. You need to speak to a doctor asap! Also, I still don't recommend taking the pill because I feel it still could pass to the baby and better safe than sorry right? We use condoms until the baby is weaned

Answer 5

hope this helps

Will breastfeeding keep me from getting pregnant?

When you breastfeed, your ovaries can stop releasing eggs, making it harder for you to get pregnant. Your periods can also stop. But, there are no guarantees that you will not get pregnant while you are nursing. The only way to make sure pregnancy does not occur is to use a method of birth control. If you want to use a birth control pill while breastfeeding, the safest type is the "mini-pill." However, talk with your doctor or nurse about what birth control method is best for you to use while breastfeeding.

Answer 6

Every single breath of air you take is transfered to your breastfed baby...which really isn't as scary as it sounds. But your birth control is definately transfered to her. I was on birth control as soon as my 6 week check up came around, and breastfeeding at the same time. Just make sure you're on a mini-pill, so that your breast milk won't dry up. I recommend Errin tabs, they're good, cheap, safe birth control for breast feeding mother. Ask your Dr. if they're good for you!

Answer 7

it depends on your birth control. the only one that should be able to take (b/c youre breastfeeding) is ortho-micronor or the generic. thats the only single hormone pill that wont really effect your baby. But because it is estrogen, she may have side effects, and sleeping could be one. Hormone reactions differ from person to person including your newborn.
Oh and dont be surprised if you see your baby getting a little breast tissue, its because of the birth control, too!

Answer 8

i would personally ask a doctor they should have asked you when u got the birthcontrol, if you were breastfeeding, i have heard on some pill commercial, the stament if you maybe pregnant or are breast feeding you shouldent take "brand"

Answer 9

I am assuming your doctor put you on the "mini-pill", not a regular one. I was on the "mini-pill" after the birth of my first and it didn't affect her that I know of. I can't imagine your doc would let you take a "real" b.c. pill while breastfeeding.

Answer 10

Birth control is all hormones. Everything you put into your body will cycle through your body and that does include your breast milk. You should not be taking anything unless its vitamins until you have stopped breast feeding