Is it safe to take medicine while breastfeeding?

Yes, there are BCP you can use while breast feeding - safely.The"mini-pill" orprogestin-only pill (POP) brand name - Micronor, Errin, Nor-QD, Ovrette, Microval - is preferred for women who are breast feeding because there is no effect on the quality or quantity of breast milk.

These pills must be taken at the same time every day - forgetting even one or taking it as little as 3 hours late can allow ovulation to occur.

Plan B - Emergency Contraceptive is another POP - because of the high dose of hormones this should be used as a last resort and never as routine BC - breast feeding or not. But it is seen as safe for mothers and their infants - it should not be used in the first six weeks after birth due to the stress on an infant's immature liver (hormones are broken down in our liver).

Combination pills contain estrogen a hormone that is known to effect the quantity of breast milk (sometimes dramatically) and has an anecdotal effect of shorter duration of breast feeding. These pills should not be used until the baby is six months old and has an established routine that includes solid foods.