My name is Travis; currently I’m a junior nursing student at the University of 
North Dakota. After browsing through the archives, I found the issue of 
contraceptives and breastfeeding being discussed off and on through the past 
decade. This topic interests me because it is a controversial issue that is 
being practiced differently in many healthcare settings. In conclusion to 
reviewing literature, I have found the following information:
	According to Espey, Lee, Leeman, Ogburn, Qualls & Reddy (2006), 
oral contraceptives during breastfeeding diminish the quantity of breast milk 
and decreases the duration of lactation that may adversely affect the growth 
of the infant. In addition, Queenan supports the issue stating in his article; if 
possible, the nursing mother should be advised not to use oral contraceptives, 
but to use other forms of contraception until she has completely weaned her 
child (Queenan, 2004). The two articles basically say oral contraceptives and 
breastfeeding would affect the growth of your child due to a decrease in 
quality as well as quantity in the breast milk. On the other hand, according to 
Bang, Guthmann, & Nashelsky (2005), oral contraceptives may reduce the 
volume of breast milk, but not affect the growth of infants. Furthermore, the 
literature doesn’t bring conclusive answers to our practice, so what is being 
practiced in your healthcare setting and what advice are they giving. Any 
thoughts or knowledge you would like to share with me would be appreciated.


Bang, J., Guthmann, R., & Nashelsky, J. (2005). Combined Oral Contraceptives 
for Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding. American Family Physician, 72, Retrieved 
January 29, 2007, from American academy of Family Physicians.

Espey, E., Lee, C., Leeman, L., Ogburn, T., Qualls, C., & Reddy, S., (2006). 
Conformity with Current Guidelines on Oral Contraception Prescribing for 
Breastfeeding Women. Elsevier, 74, 389-393. Retrieved January 29, 2007, from 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Queenan, J. T. (2004). Contraception and Breastfeeding. Clinical Obstetrics, 
47, 734-739. Retrieved January 29, 2007, from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 
Inc.  

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