to worry about long term effects of contraceptive pill on breastfed ds?

[MeconiumHappens]

Am bf ds and now looking into my options for contraception. Having thought about the options i feel a bit :S about taking hormonal contraceptives knowing that small amounts go through the milk into my son. Info leaflets seem to quote safety based on no adverse effects on children studied up to 2 yrs old. But what about later?! 2 years is nothing.

So aibu to wonder if putting female hormones into a little developing boy might be a bit dodgy?

Also, aibm (mad) to think that ebf plus condoms would be effective contraception?

Wouldn't these hormones just be the same (synthetic versions of) ones your DS would get in breast milk if you were pregnant and still BF?

...Just use condoms then then? Why is that mad?

The way it was explained to me is that these are only synthetic versions of hormones which would be produced during pregnancy anyway, and it's perfectly safe to breastfeed during pregnancy so it's fine. And once I started taking the pill DS wasn't feeding that much any more anyway, so I didn't worry about it.

But if you're not comfortable with it, don't take them.

copper coil? condoms are fine if used properly

Ah i see, the pregnancy hormones explanation reassures me, hadnt thought of it like that.

I breastfed dd until the end of last month when she was 2.3. I understand the science behind why it is safe but still wasn't comfortable with it so didn't go back on the pill.

My periods didn't come back until she was 9 months so I suspect I was safe until then but we used a combination of condoms, breastfeeding and being to tired to have sex very much!

Not got knocked up yet! Although it wouldn't be a disaster if I did so we are comfortable taking the risk.

If you are breast feeding they give you the mini pill which is Progestrone only.

I'd just use condoms. Doesn't seem worth the risk, when condoms are just as good if used properly.

don't take the pill and breastfeed. why not breastfeed on demand, round the clock, and mucous-watch instead? read 'breastfeeding and natural child-spacing' if you can find a copy.

Mini pill is just progesterone, but if you aren't happy with that breastfeeding can be effective contraception up to 6 months (need to be breastfeeding every 4 hours, one 6 hour gap at night and no bottles) - if not happy with risk then use condoms or diaphragm.

Fgs just use condoms! Very effective if used properly. Don't be faffing about with mucous.

Combined pill is not prescribed for BF women anyway, mini pill is.