As a lactation consultant and a women's health nurse practitioner, I am frequently asked about how the use of oral contraception can affect breast milk supply. First, we recommend that you wait until you have nursed for at least six weeks or longer to make sure that your milk supply is well established before starting a hormone-based birth control.
Generally, most moms can safely take a progestin-only (mini pill) form of birth control without affecting their milk supply. These pills are considered safe to use while breastfeeding and have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). However, with any hormonal-based pill, some moms may notice a slight decrease in milk supply. Therefore, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other non-hormonal forms of birth control – condoms, diaphragm, spermicidal, IUD, natural family practice, tubal ligation and vasectomy to determine which form best suits your needs.
-Vickie (IBCLC)
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