The pill and breastfeeding

[BertieBotts]

I know that you can't take the combined pill while breastfeeding - can anyone tell me why this is? Partly curious and partly wanting to know whether it still applies to me breastfeeding DS as he is nearly 18 months now so supply etc should be well established (!) - I don't want to jeopardise breastfeeding but would be interested to know if it would be an option for me to go on the pill or not yet.

Also (probably not the best place to ask) does anyone know much about the mini pill? I am told that this is OK while breastfeeding, but would like to know, is it as effective as the combined pill, (as have been told it is not for some reason) and will it make me have "periods", as my periods have not returned yet and am quite enjoying the lack of them, though in a way it would be nice to be able to predict when they will be likely to appear! And last one, if you have reacted badly to the mini-pill in the past (constant bleeding) is it worth trying a different brand or are they all the same?

I take the mini-pill as the combined pill makes me feel sick. It doesn't give you withdrawal bleeds - you take the same pill every day. Some women don't menstruate on it, others do. You need to take it at the same time each day. I've found it very reliable. Took it from 3 weeks after the birth of my twins (breastfed, no supply problems) for 8 years solidly. Stopped taking it and conceived DD5 within a fortnight.

I don't know about different brands. I'm on Femulen I think (feeding DD5 or would look at packet).

Thanks l39 - I have not tried that one so good to know there are other options.

Anyone else?

i think it's just because of the hormones i think?

i'm not happy taking any hormonal birth control whilst breastfeeding personally. which leaves me stuck with condoms. booo

Oestrogen can reduce your supply, also it passes into your breastmilk so there are long term implications to your baby's health such as an increased risk of certain cancers in later life.
Mini-pill is recommended when breastfeeding, best thing is to talk to your GP or BFC for advice.

I'm taking mini pill rather than combined, and not a problem for BF (according to pro-BF doc, and haven't seen any difference since I started it). One of the problems with the mp used to be that you had to be very accurate about the time of day it's taken - and you didn't have the 12 hour leeway that you get with combined. However, there's a new mini pill - Cerazette (sp?) - that I've been prescribed, that is apparently much better, and gives you a longer slot to take it. Also less likely to give side effects. Def worth a chat with the doc.

I would use the search function on this website and look up Cerazette. I did and it stopped me from taking it due to side effects. Instead I'm condoming it too!

Hi BertieBotts I posted about this a couple of weeks ago.

I was at the GP because I was feeling very run down as a result of frequent periods (every 22 days).

He suggested I take the combined pill to regulate my periods.

I am breastfeeding 16 month old dd2 and told the GP. He said at this stage with breastfeeding well established it is not a problem.

I came on here looking for some personal experiences but didn't get a huge response.

From what I have researched it seems that the hormones can impact on milk supply but no evidence of harm to the child.

As I understand the combined pill mimics the effects of being pregnant so similar to breastfeeding while pregnant but with artificial hormones.

I have still not decided to take it or not although the way I am suffering with period symptoms today it is looking more likely I will go ahead.

My other thread here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/921346-Combined-Pill-and-Breastfeeding-GP-says-OK-Any one-taken-it

I loved my old combined pill but am not taking it any more since having DS. I have tried a few mini pills and found each gave me never ending spotting/light bleeding.

I got a Mirena in the end, same hormone as the mini pill but very low dose and can't forget to take it I like it but lots don't.

Have you considered the implanon? Thats suitable when BF too.

I would probably be happy to take the combined pill now DS is older (15 mo) and supply is very established. Except I am now getting a bit old for it anyway and I am a dirty smoker

Thanks suiledonne, I will have a look at the other thread.

I have been on Cerazette before and had a bad reaction to it (bled constantly for over a month) so I wouldn't want to go on that again. A bit worrying that this is considered the least reactive option when looking at different brands of mini-pill! I think this is why I decided not to bother being on the pill before. Just hate condoms probably will end up sticking with them for a while anyway.

I have thought about the implant etc before but I would want to make sure my body was ok with the hormones etc by trying them in pill form first.

I'm back on Cerazette - used to take it before having my DS because the combined pill gave me migraines. I've had no problems with Cerazette at all - it stopped my periods completely which was quite handy and has had no impact on BF. I tried a number of pills before trying to get pregnant and any side effects (weight gain, spotty skin etc) disappeared when my GP switched brands. I'm just fed up that I'm compelled to add hormones to my already hormonal body after having carried a pregnancy and gone through delivery - men have it so easy!

I also had constant bleeding on cerazette and have just been back to the gp after 3 months of it hoping it would settle down (it didn't). the gp suggested I take a larger dose of progesterone for 5 days (Norethisterone, 5mg 3 times a day), then resume cerazette. So far, with 2 days of norethisterone to go, the bleeding has stopped completely. Hoorah! Hoping this will be the case now until I have a break (recommended every 3 months to flush out the uterus) for a week.

Does anyone have experience of the mini pill preventing pms?