Combined Pill whilst breastfeeding almost 3 year old?

[TheHouseofMirth]

I really can't stand any more of what the mini pill is doing to me - bleeding every 2 weeks coupled with Jekyl & Hyde personality.

Am I right in thinking the reason the combined Pill isn't suitable whilst breastfeeding is because it affects milk production? Any idea by how much? I fed DS1 until he was 4-ish and stopped because I didn't enjoy tandem feeding. I suspect DS2 would feed until he's about 38 given the chance and although in many ways I'd be ready to stop quite soon he's my last baby so I do feel some ambivilence about forcing the issue.

Your milk will dry up

londonmackem do you have direct experience of this? All the research I've done (LLL handbook, Womanly Art of BF, Dr Sears) seems to indicate a reduction rather than cessation of supply and that this is less significant with an older child. However, I'd be really keen to hear about others' experiences firsthand.

have you tried a different mini-pill? I had fortnightly periods with femulen and micronor and ended up with cerazette which stopped them altogether. (there are 4 types of mini-pill that you can try)

The research says it can make milk dry up but not every woman will experience it. They won't prescribe it before your baby is 6 months because of the risk of this, but TBH when your milk supply is so established, it's just as likely that it won't.

I started the combined pill when DS was just over 2, I think. My milk supply noticeably dipped for a bit, feeding was slightly uncomfortable - I was reading "Mothering your nursing toddler" at the time and it described a feeling you can get which is a combination of not feeding for a while + toddlers having a very strong suck which is that droplets of milk are being almost dragged down an empty milk duct and I definitely felt this. However, things were back to normal within a few days. He's 3 now and still feeding.

Gosh, that's a bit dogmatic, londonmackem :( :(

Mirth - the research is pretty reassuring with established bf. Bertie's experience is typical, from my experience.

Oh and I can't squirt milk any more. It just dribbles. Which is disappointing!

Thanks Bertie and Tiktok, I thought it was hopefully OK from the LLL Breastfeedng answers book but I just wanted to check with an actual person who'd experienced it. DS2 is down to feeding before bedtime and a rather irritating 4.30am ish feed as well as when he wakes up. As long as there's something there for comfort I'll be happy although I am a little bit concerned he might go all-out to increase my supply but on balance I think it's worth a try.

Seona1973 I am currently on Micronor but I was originally prescribed Cerazette which was even worse.

I don't think that DS fed any more than usual afterwards. TBH, when you're into the toddler years your supply is pretty much armageddon proof. Only thing I've known to disrupt it seriously among my friends is pregnancy. One friend still had milk 6 months after stopping! I went into hospital a few months ago as well and didn't feed for almost 3 days, didn't express either, milk supply was fine, though it went salty, which apparently is what happens when you wean. Again it's back to normal now. I never checked if it went salty when I started the pill.