Birth Control Options for Nursing Mothers: A Comprehensive Guide

Question
Hello, I am a 21 year old mother to a nine month old whom I am still nursing. Due to the fact that the baby is not nursing as frequently anymore my period has resumed. I went to my OB/GYN to talk about birth control as I am very concerned about mixing birth control pills and nursing....I have never been on The Pill before and basically know nothing about it. He prescribed me Ortho-Tricyclen Lo because it most mimics your natural cycle (which I am interested in) and he told me it would be fine with nursing. When I picked it up from the pharmacy, I also told the pharmacist that I was nursing to ask what he thought; he said he wasn't so sure and thinks the hormones from The Pill might extract into the breast milk, causing complications. Now I am very concerned and don't know what to do...I haven't started The Pills yet to be sure. Do you know if it is safe to be on Ortho-Tricyclen Lo and nursing? Or, do you know another birth control pill/method that is safe with nursing?
Thanks!
Samantha

Answer
Hi Samantha,
The pill is considered safe as far as your baby is concerned.  A tiny amount of hormone may get to the baby, but that's true also from your own estrogen and progesterone, especially once your periods have resumed.  However, taking the pill occasionally will decrease your milk supply.  Often we recommend the progesterone only pill (POP), which doesn't have this effect.  It's also called the mini pill.  The POP should have no effect on your nursing or your baby.  It's slightly less effective than the regular (combined) pill, and doesn't keep your periods so regular, so many women switch to a regular pill once they stop nursing.  I hope this is helpful.