SECOND CHOICE: PROGESTERONE-ONLY HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES

While some contraceptives combine oestrogen and progesterone, others contain only the latter and pose a smaller risk to breastfeeding. Progesterone-based contraceptives can be taken orally (the mini-pill), injected into a muscle (DepoProvera), or implanted under the skin (Norplant) or in the uterus (Mirena). Will progesterone affect your baby? Probably not. Although small amounts are secreted into breastmilk, to date research studies have demonstrated no adverse effects. Particularly sensitive babies may become fussier, perhaps because progesterone changes milk composition slightly.