BF & PILL

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

Ok, so i thought that i would just find out.....i am still leaking and was wondering if i could still express milk whilst taking the PILL. I am not on the mini pill and thought that i wouldn't leak because i never got engorged (yet) just wondered if i should still try to express while i can and give him the milk while i got it.

Does the Pill affect my milk or my milk affect the Pill?

I am finding it hard to finally lay it to rest when i am still leaking, is all and curious.

TIA

[Samuel's mum]

Pill affects milk supply - not the quality. What you express is safe as long as it lasts.

 

Children whose mothers used hormonal birth control while nursing have been followed as late as 17 years of age. The exception to this is the very young baby - less than 6 weeks old. There may be some concern about the baby's immature liver being able to metabolize the hormones passed through the milk well enough.

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

I thought that it affects the supply and not really milk,just paranoid and wanted to check.

I may express some later and see how it goes.

Thanks again.

[ljed78]

My OB-GYN told me it doesn't affect the baby and the effect on supply is low too, I start on Sunday taking tri-cycline, im wondering if it will bring my period back.

[Samuel's mum]

The effect varies for everyone but a traditional combined contraceptive pill i.e one that contains estrogen/oestrogen and not progestrone only will commonly have some effect (also oestrogen based implants and injections). The minority escape supply issues. Lactation can only be easily maintained when oestrogen is naturally lowered especially if your baby is young. This is one of the reasons supply often decreases when people fall pregnant. It's not recommended to take the combined pill at all if your baby is under 6 months and after then you should be very cautious and consider other methods if breastfeeding is something you'd like to maintain without risk.

Kellymom list tri-cyclene as an L3 category - 'moderately safe' for lactation but there are L2 category available which are even safer (although risk to supply cannot to ruled out). So tri-cyclene is actually one of the more riskier available:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html

ljed78 if your baby is younger than 6 months I would suggest you reconsider - if older, then you could risk it but monitor carefully.

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

HI, thought i would update you.

I didn't express as it thought that the decision has been made to quit and i should stick to that as he will never go back now. I think i was just battling with it all and may still have to battle with it for some time yet.

Thanks 

[jbepko]

ljed78-
Agree with Emma on the triphasic pill and the potential hit to your supply. The pills can definitely have an effect. The progesterone only pill is much safer for lactating women in terms of protecting the milk supply; however not as great with contraceptive benefits. I would re-discuss with your MD and stress how important your milk supply is.