bf a 2 year old - can I go on the combined pill?

[mollysmum82]

I'd quite like to go back on the pill now and I don't fancy the progesterone only one (as I get spots and depression at the best of times :( ) - do you know if you can go on the combined oestrogen/progesterone pill whilst breastfeeding? I read somewhere that as long as the baby's at least 6 months old its fine but I don't know how much truth there is in that! I will talk to the doctor about it but I'd like to go in informed first. Thanks lots in advance

[downpipe]

It is not an absolute no-no but v small amounts of the hormones will appear in the breast milk and also taking the COCP may reduce the amount of breast milk that you produce.But, given that you won't be feeding a 2 year old that much milk , if it was really the only acceptable contraceptive option open to you there is an argument for taking it especially if you went for one of the lower dose pills like Mercilon.Discuss it will your GP.(I am a GP on mat leave and if someone asked me this I would be open to it, it is not recommended but not absolutely contraindicated either).