Seeking Advice About Birth Control While Breastfeeding

You HAVE to read the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH. It will tell you about how to recognize the signs given by your body to determine exactly (to the day or even hour) when you are ovulating, which you can use to either plan or avoid a pregnancy. In my opinion, it is the absolute BEST birth control method because it is completely natural and much more effective than other methods.

I am breast feeding. I was on a progesterone only pill which is okay to use while breastfeeding. The one I used for the first six months is called Errin. Once she turned six months I went back to my regular pills, Jasmine. The docter said the reason I can't use the regular pills at the begining is because it can decrease the milk flow, but it doesn't effect the baby adversely. At 6 months I went back to work so she only nurses at night, I have more than enough milk.

I'm going to reiterate the virtues of the IUD. If you choose the Copper T (without hormones), you can have it inserted and then never have to worry about it until it needs to be replaced 10 years later. Of course, you do need to be with just the one partner because it does not protect against STDs, but neither does the pill. But, if you decide you do want to become pregnant again before the 10 years is up, you can just have it removed. Simple as that.

Good Luck!
L.

When I was breastfeeding my son, my OB-GYN prescribed a non-hormonal birth control pill for me. I only had to take it if I wasn't breastfeeding exclusively, which I wasn't after like 6 months or so. Now that I've had my second (and probably last) child, I've gotten an IUD inserted, which will protect me from pregnancy for up to 5 years, but I can take it out sooner if I wish, and I can get pregnant as quick as I could if I had just stopped taking the pill. So, I recommend both, because they won't interfere with milk supply, which is usually the main concern for breastfeeding moms.

I DID THE P.O.P PILLS... THAT IS PROGESTERONE ONLY PILL WHILE I WAS BREASTFEEDING. IT IS A BIRTHCONTROL METHOD THAT DOES NOT SUCCRET INTO YOUR MILK SUPPLY. MY HUBBY IS ACTIVE MILITARY SO I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT BEING APART LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND WANTING GOOD BIRTH CONTROL WHEN HE GETS HOME. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.
THERESAT

I TOTALLY agree with Debbie J. That book is awesome and I can contribute my success in pregnancy (and non pregnancy) to it. But, you must follow it to a T, and make sure you understand it. You also must take a minute or two out of your time a day to chart temps... I am currently breastfeeding and taking a progesterine pill called Microgestine. It's fine... I haven't had any unpleasant side effects.

R.,
There is a birth control pill for breastfeeding moms called Micronor. It has just progesterone and not estrogen. Depends on how much you are nursing, etc. Might want to ask your doctor about it.
Good Luck,
P.

The IUD method is perfect, and last anywhere from 7-10 years, but can be removed if you want more children in the future, but you must be sure you have only one sexual partner.

As long as you are taking a non estrogen birth control (the mini pill, for example), you will be fine. As long as your baby is at least 6 months, any birth control will be fine. You will notice a slight decrease or change in your milk for a short time, but the baby will adjust fine.
I love the Taking Charge of Your Ferility book and think that the fertility awareness method is the best and safest form of bc. I wouldn't recommend it if you are not very disciplined! I used that method and it worked well until one month we just weren't very disciplined and got pregnant. But if you are sure you can say "no" when you are fertile, then do it! I wouldn't do the IUD...that leads to way too many infections and a lot of doctors won't do it.
If your baby is still nursing every 4 hours, and not sleeping through the night, breastfeeding can also be used as a very effective form of birth control. You would need to look into it and learn about it before you try it, though. The book Taking Charge of your fertility has a chapter on that, as well.

I know the mini pill is safe to take when bf...I am not sure about barrier methods, but I'm sure others will chime in ...

I have an IUD and I love it. Birth control pills made me crazy and I know a lot of people who got pregnant unexpectedly only a couple months after they had their babies because they thought that breastfeeding stopped their chances of getting pregnant. Plus if you don't breastfeed fulltime then the low dose bc can be ineffective. The IUD lasts for five years and my periods are lighter than they used to be. As long as you stay in a monogamous relationship I think it's the way to go. Plus, you can always use condoms.

My doctor put me on the "mini pill" which is completely safe for breastfeeding. I have had no problems with it.

Actually, any low-dose pill is safe while breast feeding, just talk to your GYN. If you are still uncomfortable with it (or the hormones mess with your head and sex drive as they do me) make sure you know how to use condoms correctly and they are very efficient. Another alternative is "natural" family planning. I suggest the book "Taking Control of Your Fertility". I know it gets a bad wrap as being the only way a good Catholic gets around using birth control, but it really does work if you put the effort in to it. It is also very good for if you want to get pregnant again in the future, or at letting you know when you should be using a condom if you don't want to use them all the time.
In response to the IUD, be careful and get all the info. You have a much higher risk of tubal pregnancy with an IUD - my mom had one - and taking the fetus is the only thing you can do to save your life which causes a problem for some anti-abortion people.
Good Luck!

I know you said you didn't want to use th epill, but did you know there is a pill called Micronin or the "mini pill" that takes out all the bad and what is left will not go into your supply? The only trouble is that you have to be very exact as to when you take it. No more that a 3 hour difference each day. Sorry if I told you something you weren't interested in. Good luck!

There are birth control pills you can take while breastfeeding that is safe and won't reduce your supply. I took those ( I cannot remember the name, talk to your doc). I do not know about any other methods. Good luck in your quest.

I am currently breastfeeding and chose to have the Mirena IUD inserted a few weeks ago. It did not hurt to have it inserted but I did have some cramping for 2 days after. Nothing an ibuprofen could not take the edge off of. So far so good, but it has only been a few weeks.

R.,

I am solely breastfeeding my 4 month old. I use micronor birth control pills. I have been using them since my 6 week check up. I have had no change in my milk supply and it has been 100% safe so far. My doctor has told me that micronor is as effective as normal birth control pills as long as you are solely breastfeeding/pumping and not supplementing with formula. I hope this helps.

Q.

I would consider either the copper IUD which does not contain hormones but prevents pregnancy doctors are not sure exactly how, but it has been proven to work for decades. Also there are progesterin options that you can use while you are breastfeeding that will not harm the baby. I would think have to use a diaphram would be difficult as you would need to either plan ahead or stop during the moment to use it. I wish you the best.