Birth control

At about six weeks postpartum, once milk supply is firmly established, synthetic hormone-based contraceptives are considered safe to take.1

However, supply can still be affected. Discuss the desire to use oral contraceptives and any potential consequences it may have on milk supply2 with a healthcare provider.

Inform prospective recipients if taking hormonal contraceptives.

There are also other, non-hormonal forms of contraceptives that can be looked into, such as the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM),3 and Natural Family Planning (NFP).4

Please contact a primary healthcare provider and/or other local resources for more information.

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  1. American Family Physician RICHARD A. GUTHMANN, M.D, та ін. 2015. Combined Oral Contraceptives for Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding ↩︎
  2. Healthy Children – Birth Control and Breastfeeding Hormonal contraceptives with high doses of estrogen are more likely to decrease milk supply. ↩︎
  3. MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) ↩︎
  4. ACOG – Fertility Awareness-Based Methods of Family Planning ↩︎