Which birth control pill is best while breastfeeding?

Understanding Birth Control Options While Breastfeeding
Choosing the right birth control method while breastfeeding is crucial for new mothers who want to prevent pregnancy without compromising their milk supply. The landscape of contraceptive options can be confusing, but recent insights shed light on the best choices available.
The Mini-Pill: A Preferred Choice
For breastfeeding mothers, progestin-only pills, commonly referred to as the “mini-pill,” are generally recommended. These pills contain only progestin, a hormone that does not adversely affect milk production. Unlike combination pills that include estrogen, which can potentially reduce milk supply, the mini-pill is considered safe and effective for nursing mothers.
Experts suggest that the mini-pill can be started at least three weeks after giving birth. This timing is important because using estrogen-containing methods too soon postpartum may interfere with milk production. While some mothers may experience a temporary dip in milk supply when starting a combination pill, this effect is usually short-lived, and milk production typically returns to normal.
Timing and Consistency
One critical aspect of using the mini-pill is the need for strict adherence to the dosing schedule. It must be taken at the same time every day, as a delay of more than three hours can compromise its contraceptive effectiveness. This requirement can be challenging for new mothers, who often have unpredictable schedules due to their baby’s needs.
Non-Hormonal Options
For those who prefer to avoid hormones altogether, non-hormonal birth control methods are also available. These options can be safely used while breastfeeding and do not impact milk supply. Examples include barrier methods like condoms or copper intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Conclusion
In summary, the mini-pill stands out as the best birth control option for breastfeeding mothers due to its safety profile regarding milk production and its effectiveness when taken consistently. However, for those who wish to avoid hormonal methods, non-hormonal alternatives provide a viable solution. As always, it’s essential for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to determine the best contraceptive method tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.

How can I control my pregnancy while breastfeeding?

Tips for Breastfeeding While Pregnant

1. Take painkillers like Tylenol or use warm compresses on your breasts to ease breast soreness and nipple tenderness.
2. Ensure that you get enough rest if you feel tired due to pregnancy and breastfeeding your older child.
3. Ask someone to help you with household chores or childcare.

How can I get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding and Fertility
As menstruation returns to a fairly regular schedule, it usually means that you are back to full fertility and breastfeeding won’t have any effect on your ability to get pregnant. However, every woman’s fertility and ovulation cycle is different.

What birth control doesn’t affect your milk supply?

Implants. You can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years with a special stick that’s the size of a match. Your doctor implants it just under your skin in your upper arm. This form of birth control only has the hormone progestin, so it doesn’t affect your milk supply.

What is the most effective birth control while breastfeeding?

Progestin-only contraceptives
Progestin–only contraceptives are preferred for breastfeeding if a hormonal method is desired or needed. Most mothers do not experience any problems with their milk supply when using progestin-only forms of contraception when started after the 6th-8th week postpartum.

Are you more fertile after giving birth?

Probably not, and you’re likely less fertile at least in the short term (although you still need to think about birth control). So if you’ve been trying again for more than a few months, it may be time to think about some testing to get a better understanding of your cycle hormones after pregnancy.

What contraceptive pill can you take while breastfeeding?

There are 4 methods of birth control you can use while you’re breastfeeding:

• male condoms and female condoms – as soon you feel ready to have sex.
• any progestogen-only method, including the progestogen-only pill, implant and injection – these can be started immediately after birth.

How can I breastfeed my boyfriend but not pregnant?

Inducing lactation in people who aren’t pregnant requires medication that mimics hormones your body makes during pregnancy. Suckling from the nipple can initiate lactation, either with a breast pump or by a baby.

How can I prevent pregnancy while breastfeeding naturally?

When you exclusively breastfeed — meaning you nurse at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night, and feed your baby only breast milk — your body naturally stops ovulating. You can’t get pregnant if you don’t ovulate. No ovulation means you won’t have your period, either.

What is the best pills to take while breastfeeding?

What medications are safe to take while breastfeeding?

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others) — short-term use only.

Why you shouldn’t take birth control while breastfeeding?

If you are breastfeeding, then any contraception containing oestrogen (such as the vaginal ring and the combined pill) is not recommended unless your baby is at least six weeks old and at least half bottle fed, because it may reduce your supply of breastmilk.