Is it safe to take birth control pills while breastfeeding?
Use of oral contraceptives by nursing mothers is generally NOT recommended. It is best to use
another means of contraception, if possible. Oral contraceptives are distributed into the
breast milk, and may diminish the quantity or quality, or shorten the time of lactation,
especially for those women who are only partially breast feeding and have less physical
stimulus for lactation.
When used by mothers who are exclusively breast feeding, oral contraceptive therapy is
recommended to begin after the third postpartum month. If only partially or NOT breast feeding,
she may begin in the third postpartum week. It is also best to consult with your physician
regarding the best contraceptive option for you.
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