As someone else mentioned, the patch is a combination hormone birth control
method.  It can be expected to act the same as other combination hormone
methods.
Shortly after the patch started to be used, I had 2 breastfed babies in my
practice where mom suddenly reported that baby was nursing all the time and
seemed unsatisfied.  Both moms had recently started the patch after being
told by their gynecologists that the patch would not affect milk supply.
Both had a rebound in their milk supply with stopping the patch.
Now, when I see breastfed babies for their first check up when I was not the
mother's OB provider, I always ask what contraceptive method they plan to
use.  This gives me the opportunity to educate the mom and hopefully direct
her more towards methods that won't affect supply.
There are several OB providers here also who believe that combination
hormones won't affect milk supply "once breastfeeding is well established."
 This leads to them prescribing oral contraceptive pills or patch to moms
anywhere from 3-6 weeks after delivery.  I can't seem to convince them to
reconsider this method, so now I just try to make sure the moms understand
the chances of trouble with their supply.

Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Mom to Chris (14), Catherine (8), Justin (6) and Caroline Rose born 5/31/03

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