Breastfeeding and Mini Pill

I used it after both my babies. I didn't get my period for 10 months after my daughter was born, but when I did it was very irregular and that is why I stopped using it. Otherwise, it was great and I had no problems.

Birth control passing to the baby does it no harm. The reason we are prescribed a mini-pill is because a regular birth control pill would reduce your milk supply. The mini-pill has little to no effect on your supply.

I don't have much advice for you, but I understand completely. I went to my ob for my 6-week postpartum check-up over 2 months ago, got an Rx for mini pills, and even went and filled the order. I have yet to start them for the same fear/uncertainty.

From what I understand/read, progestin still passes to the baby--although there are no indications that this is detrimental to a baby, it is still not something with which I am comfortable (I always think of how my grandmother's doctor put her on diet pills when she was pregnant with my dad... and that was acceptable for the time. My dad turned out OK, but who would even think to do something like that today??). A lot of breastfeeding moms have had success with minipills, of course... I just think that ultimately, even though they're the best choice for hormonal BC, they're still too scary for me. Best of luck--I know how tough this decision can be!

The mini pill only has progestin and no estrogen which is the hormone you should worry about passing along to your newborn. The mini pill can be great for BF moms but it must be taken at the exact time every day. You cannot miss a dose and then take it later and BF alone does not prevent pregnancy. I took it for 17 months and had no problems.

I was on the mini pill after my oldest was born. It worked fine, and I didn't notice any adverse effects on my milk or in my daughter. The only downsides are having to take it at the exact same time each day (within a couple of hours), and it did make my periods really irregular (27-69 day cycles). I'm one of the lucky women that get a period even while exclusively breastfeeding.

So, after my son was born, I got the Mirena IUD and love it; no complaints or regrets. If I had another child I'd definitely go with the IUD again.

Good luck.

I used it after I had my first child and everything was just fine. It didn't hinder my milk production, nor did she have any negative affects from me taking the pill.
After my second child, I got the Paraguard IUD.

I exclusively breast fed both my boys for a year each and used the mini pill with my first son. With my second I didn't but it didn't have anything to do with its safety more that my medical history had changed, but that's a different story! It was fine. My doctor assured me it was safe, the pediatrician agreed and I used it the entire time. I did have a harder time keeping my supply up with my first than my second (at least once I went back to work) but I've heard that it's always easier the second time you breast feed with supply anyway so not sure if it was a factor or not.

One warning...with the mini pill you have to use it the same time of day within three hours, I think or it loses it's effectiveness.

Good luck!
-M

I an breastfeeding my second baby and I take the mini pill. I took it with both kids ( I have a very healthy son who is almost 5). I have not had any problems either time!