Alcohol & breastfeeding

Megan - posted on 02/28/2013

i have a few drinks from time to time too... and even some nights out (she gets formula when i do this)! i asked my doctor about it and he said that pumping and dumping is just to keep your milk supply up and so that you dont become blocked or too full.

once you feel as though the alcohol is out of your system, you should be able to breastfeed again.

milk circulates through as your blood does. if you have a 0 blood alcohol then you're fine.

Tarryn - posted on 02/26/2013

Seriously?! I have a one month old and I don't even have caffienne. You are willing to risk your baby's health and brain development by drinking? Then my other question - where do you have time - I am just adjusting to a schedule of 3 hourly feeds. I wouldn't dream of going out partying. Babies are supposed to be kept in for the first few weeks to adjust to their new surroundings. They are growing and need all the nutrition and rest. Perhaps you should get a nanny and just give formula. Alchol can take 24hrs to get out of your system and there is no way that your baby can go without a feed for that long.

Jessica - posted on 02/22/2013

Hey, I know you will get a lot of flack for talking about drinking as a breast feeding mother, but we are after all still human. You are not being irresponsible or careless by wanting to drink and you are asking for guidelines to ensure your child's safety. You do not need to pump and dump, the alcohol will leave your milk as it leaves your bloodstream. If your little one needs to eat before then, have some clean milk pumped and ready before hand, but to be honest one drink will not harm your child. If you're drinking to intoxication then I would wait to use the breast. But really I wouldn't have my child with me intoxicated, she should have a sober caregiver.

Heather - posted on 02/17/2013

If you even have to ask, why not just refrain from drinking until after you stop breast feeding? Is drinking really that important to even risk passing it on to your baby?

Jane - posted on 02/16/2013

The old suggestions that beer enhances milk production are simply wrong. It actually reduces the release of milk from the breast. If you have a robust milk supply, and your infant is gaining well, an occasional drink followed by a waiting period is unlikely to reduce your milk supply.

May be for more information you can go to this:
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/preg/a/aa...

Thanks!@

Sara - posted on 02/16/2013

I've heard wait two hours after your last drink. Drink water too:). Don't worry.. They used to drink martinis during pregnancy in the 50s:)

Katie - posted on 02/15/2013

There are strips that test your breast milk for the amount of alcohol in your milk. Great way to be safe!

Joquena - posted on 02/15/2013

I feel like I've been pregnant or nursing for most of my marriage, so I decided early on to be better safe than sorry and I just leave the alcohol alone! But everyone has to make their own choices.

Sally - posted on 02/15/2013

Alcohol is the only substance we consume that actually leaves your breastmilk as it leaves you. If you aren't drunk, your baby will be fine. In fact, the occasional dark beer can be a great help to milk production and the relaxation needed to nurse well.

Kina - posted on 02/13/2013

Before u start drinking, make sure u have pumped a few bottles of good milk and when u do drink its best to pump and dump but u should look into breast feeding strips, they let u know if u still have alcohol still in your milk.

Stephanie - posted on 02/13/2013

The best time to have a drink is when you are nursing. Then wait three hours until the next nursing session (or three hours after your last drink).
I have nursed after having a glass of wine or two and I don't think it affected my baby at all, but she was 8-10 months old. I think It's different when they are really little.

Elfrieda - posted on 02/11/2013

You don't need to pump and dump. Once the alcohol is out of your blood, it's out of your milk. So, you need time, that's all.

Amy - posted on 02/11/2013

http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/...

The above is a great site for breastfeeding moms!

Amy - posted on 02/11/2013

The general rule is if you would be ok to drive a car then you are ok to breastfeed your baby.