Is It Safe To Take An IPill To Prevent Pregnancy While Breast-feeding An Infant?

Posted on Wed, 2 Feb 2022

Question: Hello Doc, is it safe to take an iPill while yoy are feeding a 4 months old baby? If not what are our options?

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mostly nothing needed during breastfeeding

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Mostly breastfeeding itself has a contraceptive effect and nothing is required. Normal regular periods usually start when baby starts weaning off breastmilk.

If your periods are regular, then you must assess the ovulation period. If intercourse happened during or near ovulation, then some type of contraception must be used. Best if to use condom or copper-t device.

For emergency contraception, I pill can be taken during lactation. Medicines can pass on to baby, but when used once in while I pill should not cause problems on breast feeding or on baby.

Hope this helps.
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar