Breastfeeding After Baby Is One Month on Birth Control

I think it's wonderful that you would even try to breastfeed your baby, I am so impressed with your resolve and your care of your infant! That being said, it will probably be challenging to start up again, though as I understand it, it is possible.

I would highly recommend that you get in touch with the wonderful folks at La Leche. I found them to be incredibly helpful and supportive when I faced difficulties breastfeeding; they really helped make it possible for me to continue. Also there are some really good books out there on breastfeeding that address some of these kinds of issues, especially the one by Dr. Sears. I've never heard that it is dangerous to breastfeed while on birth control, but if you are concerned I would ask the folks at La Leche; that's exactly the kind of thing that they would know.

Good luck!!

You can go on a low dosage birth control that will be safe while breastfeeding. I'ld talk to a lactation consultant so yo ucan start breastfeeding. There are woman who adopt infants and take something so they can produce breast milk.
I ended up pumping breastmilk until my son was 7 months old(I tried for 2 months and he wasn't gianing weight because he couldn't get a good latch) I had a c-section too and it was uncomfortable at first to try to breast feed and it was a very difficult time trying to breastfeed and him not being able to latch on right. I felt guilty and like a horrible mom because of all the trouble I had. That's why I ended up pumping for so long(he got to mobile that's why I stopped, but I had been pumping around the clock 5-6 times a day) and I felt guilty for stopping. But my son is healthy and happy and I did my best. I'm having my second child next week and this time around I'm going to try not to stress out about breastfeeding. Some babies breastfeed good and others don't(something I've learned from experience and watching baby shows). Good luck in whatever you choose to do and remember it' s your love, care, and attention the baby needs. I hope everything works out for you.

I would encourage you to rely on the advice of your doctor as to the safety of breastfeeding while on birth control pills. If the doctor gives you the go ahead, it is definitely worth giving this another try. The discomfort of a C-section is truly a bear, but with a supportive husband and I'm sure some very supportive friends, the difficulties could be managed.

I wish you all the best. Hope this helps.

only safe on the mini pill- i'd talk to Dr before trying if your on a full dose pill

Hi,

I am on the pill and nurse. But, I'm on an alternative birth control than before. My old one was 3 hormones, not safe for the nursing baby. The one I"m on now is only 1 hormone. And because of that, you have to be much more careful to take it at the same time every day or it isn't nearly as effective.

All I can say is, more power to you, if you have the energy to even *think* about sex with a 3 1/2 year old and a newborn! LOL!

It depends what kind of birth control pills you are using. Most are not recommended while breastfeeding, either because they decrease milk supply, or may not be safe for baby. I used the mini pill and successfully breastfed for one year and one week. I would discuss it with your doctor before you begin nursing, but there certainly are options out there in terms of birth control! Good luck!

You can definately do this. I did the same thing and it was much easier when I tried again. The biggest problem was because of the c-section my milk didn't really come in so it was painful trying to nurse. But later it became easier. I think it was around 5 weeks when I started back up too.

There is a special pill that you need to be on if you are going to breast feed. You can't just breastfeed on any type of pill.....I don't remember its actual name but its often referred to as the "mini pill". My advice is if you really want to try again, stop your pill all together. I am not sure how it all works because I never breast feed, I tried but my daughter could not latch on....it was a problem with me, not her....but I am not sure if you can get enough after not doing it for so long or if it will come back. If you really want to know you should call your hospitals lactation consultant. Hope this helps you.

It is possible to breastfeed on the mini-pill, but not recommended with many more traditional pill configurations.

I would find an LC to help you out, and go ahead and get nursing. It might take a bit to transition back, but if your child is only 5 weeks old, you're still in the more hormonal stages, and it's possible to make it happen. I'd also get a hospital grade pump to help build up your milk supply!

My best advice overall is to be patient, and realize that it will be some work, but if you're committed to the process, you'll both be just fine!

I would not do it...too many risks.

Hi S.,
I just saw your request and I know it's from last week so I'm sure you already made your decision, but it is ok to Breastfeed and take Birth control you just have to ask your DR to prescribe the "mini pill". It's estrogen free so it shouldn't interfere with your milk supply, at least it didn't for me. At this point I'm not sure you would be able to breastfeed now that you haven't for so long, I suppose if you still have milk then go for it!!! It's such a great experience and so beneficial to your baby! Good luck!

Have you been pumping to keep your milk flow up? And, what type of bitrth control are you on? I think they recommend the mini pill while breastfeeding, its only progestrin(sp?lol) no estrogen which I believe will effect the baby. I think even those affected my milk with #1, so i stuck with condoms until #2 was 15 months and stopped nursing. So, if that is the case you can try to restart nursing, however the baby may not latch on because he may be used to a bottle nipple. Buy, if you dont already have it, lansinoh brand lanolin cream. Its the only thing safe for baby when applied to nippies...and its a LIFESAVER! Good luck!

S. --

I can't say if it is safe to nurse while on the pill -- but I would suggest that you call the La Leche League. Doctors vary on what they feel is safe to take while nursing. LLL are experts. They can also help you build up your milk supply again.

Good luck! Nursing was one of the best things I did with my daughter. We both benefited from it. I had always heard how "stern" the LLL can be --- but I found them to be wonderful.

S.

Go for it . You are still producing milk I bet . May take a week or so to get it flowinmg again . If the Birth control pills bother you talk to your doctor about other methods like an IUd that does not put chemicals into your body . Goodluck and Merry cHristmas . Just remember relax and enjoy . The time goes by quick .

S.
Congratulations on baby #2. Good for you for wanting to try breastfeeding again!! Breastfeeding is not easy and I am still breastfeeding baby #2 who is almost 10 months old. With my first I had an easy birth- but it was the breastfeeding that was hardest part of the whole experience for me. Go for it with the breastfeeding. Many breastfeeding moms do not take hormonal brithcontrol because it interferes with milk production. If you really want to give it a try- I would give up the pill (and switch to some other form of birth control in the meantime if that is the only reason you are taking it) and give it a try. The other great thing about breastfeeding of course is the way it delays becoming fertile again, however if you haven't been breastfeeding all along I am not sure what happens on that end. Good Luck. It is a great thing to do for you and your baby if you can hack it!!

I exclusively breastfed my daughter for 9 months and was on birth control starting around the same time as you, 3 or 4 weeks. I don't remember exactly. I was on the "mini pill" (progesterone only, I think) for the first 6 months or so, then switched to a regular birth control pill, while still breastfeeding. It is safe.
You might have some trouble re-establishing your milk supply this far into postpartum. Certainly give it a try, but make sure you seek support from your OB, and local le leche league. Don't give up again without seeking that support. It is difficult. You're trying to learn how to do it, the baby is trying to learn how to feed, its appetite is all out of whack, you're hormones are all out of whack, you're trying to recover from the birth, you're exhausted, its painful at first... So much works against you, but its totally worth it. I almost gave up at 3 weeks, but stuck it out and I'm very glad I did! I'm actually a little disappointed I stopped at 9 months, and with the next one I'm going to try to go longer.

Good luck!!

S., congrats on the baby and good for you for wanting to try again. You have to go on the "mini-pill", it's safe for nursing and you can switch right over to it from what you're on now. I would recommend tring to pump more and more each day to re-establish a milk supply until you are on the new pill, and make sure whatever bottles you're using right now have hard to pull from nipples. If you tip the battle upside down and it drips more that once every few seconds it flows too fast and the baby won't want to work so hard getting the milk from your breast. Good luck!

Hi there
I had real problems breastfeeding my first child. The pain was awful and the doctor wanted me to give up - that is without actually seeing if I was feeding correctly - which I wasn't. I got in touch with la leche league, who helped and encouraged me and I ended up feeding for 11 months. Until I was pregnant with the second! I think you should give it a go - your son is still very young and if the milk is still there why not? It's not easy with another sibling (to keep an eye on) but well worth it. Good luck!

Check with your OB on your BC pill, you will probably need to switch to the mini pill. I think it is wonderful that you want to try to breastfeed again. It definately can be done. I had a difficult start with my first and he eventually latched at 8 weeks old. Read all the info you can on nursing and get support from friends, family and La Leche League if you need to, you can do it. Good luck to you!