Ask the Expert

Q: Is it safe to take birth control pills while I'm breastfeeding?

A: Well, it depends on what kind of birth control pills you are considering taking. If you are breastfeeding, most doctors will recommend that you use "minipills," which do not contain estrogen, and are not thought to interfere with breastfeeding. There is somewhat of a controversy about whether pills with estrogen may decrease milk supply. So, most doctors will hold off on prescribing pills containing estrogen until the infant is receiving nutrition from a source other than mother's breast milk.

Mimi Zieman, MD, is the director of Family Planning and an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She is a Board Certified obstetrician/gynecologist specializing in gynecology and contraception. Dr. Zieman is an author of two books: A Pocket Guide to Managing Contraception for Clinicians and A Personal Guide to Managing Contraception for Women and Men.