Alcohol consumption and breastfeeding

Kiara - posted on 09/09/2009

When i went out for the first time since finding out i was pregnant I pumped and dumped for a wholeday and a half. He had plenty of milk in storage but when i got home that night to a one month old after a few drinks i decided it wasn't for me. Not now

Maegan - posted on 09/09/2009

They have this strips you can buy at Target, Walgreens or online called Milkscreen strips. They can give you piece of mind to insure the alcohol is out of your system.

Kimberly - posted on 03/21/2009

Agreed!

Jennie - posted on 03/21/2009

I find this entire discussion somewhat ridiculous!  Well, not entirely ridiculous, but good grief!  There are more important things to worry about!  My pediatrician was recommending me to drink dark beer in order to increase my milk supply! And it worked!  Since I was working and pumping (which, by the way, does NOT stimulate your breast to make more milk and will cause your body to DECREASE your milk supply) I started drinking 1-2 drinks a night, just to keep my milk supply up!  One source I read stated that only about 1/360th part of alcohol actually makes it into your milk, which, given the other chemicals that are in fast food and store-bought food, is really not the worst thing that could be getting into our breastmilk!  What about all those thousands upon thousands of years when women drank beer and wine throughout their pregnancies and breastfeeding?  DId the mothers of Galileo, Newton, Einstein, and the other 'geniuses" of previous ages not drink on a regular basis? I think it's going to be OK. 

Now, that being my overall opinion, I think 8 liquor shots might be a bit much--in general, but esp. if you have a baby to care for.  I'm such a lightweight that I would have been under the table after the 1st two, and so completely hungover I wouldn't have been able to take care of the baby the next day.  It's not just the alcohol in the bloodstream (which is why we have kidneys to clean our blood) or in a breastmilk, but the other far-reaching effects like being in a bad mood or so hungover and stressed out that your milk won't let down the next day. 

SO, I guess my own personal experience was this:  I didn't bother worrying about pumping and dumping (esp. since the pediatrician was recommending a dark beer or even a glass of red wine), but I also made sure I wasn't getting so completely drunk that it was gonna matter.  I mean no offense to anyone, that's just my own opinion as someone who's breastfed and weaned 2 kids and is married to a bartender. :)  Hope this helps balance things out.

Hannah - posted on 03/21/2009

When Ive gone out (or stayed in) for drinks I usually wait to give her tittie until the following morning-depending on how much I consumed. Maybe I would wait until the following evening if Id gotten pretty rowdy.

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Jennie:

i have tried all sorts of bottles and teats my baby wont even try sucking on it, she either ends up crying herself to sleep or just crying til i give in and give her boob.

Jennie;

It sounds like you may just have to wait awhile - your baby is just very smart - she can tell the difference and wants the real McKoy!

This is a trick our lactation consultant showed us.  Take a very small cup (about the size of a shot glass) - Medela sells some just for this purpose but they're hard to find - those little cups that come with cough syrup are also a good size.

Fill the cup to the brim with expressed breastmilk.  Bring the cup to the baby's mouth and hold it touching their bottom lip - the baby will lap up the breastmilk like a kitten.

We used this technique in the beginning (it worked great) and haven't tried it since but it might be worth a shot!

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

Do you wait until shes hungry? That could be taken into consideration also. If so, she maybe looking for the instant gratification. She may not be willing to take the time out to try something new when her tummy is empty. Try giving it to her 45 to 30 min before her feed when she's calm and content.

Jennie - posted on 03/20/2009

i have tried all sorts of bottles and teats my baby wont even try sucking on it, she either ends up crying herself to sleep or just crying til i give in and give her boob.

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

Also, check the nipple flow. Is it flowing at the same pace as milk comes from you're boob?

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

However, as I said in my comments above, many experts say that you can still nurse after moderate drinking without any problem. www.drjacknewman.com

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

Have you tried different kinds of bottles - the only one that my guy will take is the Adiri Natural Nurser - he doesn't love it but he'll take it - it's often an issue of flow - try different nipples (often there are ones for different ages because as they age and their suck is stronger, the flow from your breasts increases and if the plastic nipple doesn't keep up they can get frustrated).

Jennie - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Krystle:

Quoting Jennie:

wots best if your going to party and want a drink but baby wont take formula or breast milk from bottle or cup?

You kind of got to wean them first, you can't just expect them to take the bottle or cup instantly.  If the babe is use to your skin, the plastic nipple of the bottle is forgien to them, they don't know what to do with it.  It just takes some time. If you plan to bottle feed as oppsed to breast feeding in public, you should at least give the babe one bottle everyday so you wont run into complications on the spot.

my baby is 7mths now and we have been trying every day for the last 3wks to get her to take bottle or cup but she just wont take to it whether it me, my hubby or someone else trying.

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Jennie:

wots best if your going to party and want a drink but baby wont take formula or breast milk from bottle or cup?

You kind of got to wean them first, you can't just expect them to take the bottle or cup instantly.  If the babe is use to your skin, the plastic nipple of the bottle is forgien to them, they don't know what to do with it.  It just takes some time. If you plan to bottle feed as oppsed to breast feeding in public, you should at least give the babe one bottle everyday so you wont run into complications on the spot.

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

Totally agree with you.... and I wasn't questioning you, I'm sure you're an awesome mom. I just question Dr. Newman. Everyone has their differences. I'm sorry if I seemed to attack you!!! Forgive me?!?

Jennie - posted on 03/20/2009

wots best if your going to party and want a drink but baby wont take formula or breast milk from bottle or cup?

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Krystle:

Quoting Emily:

When you are at the legal limit for driving your blood alcohol content is 0.08% - your breastmilk has exactly the percentage that your blood does - it transfers freely

De-alcoholized beer is 0.6% (almost 8 times the alcohol content of your milk at the legal limit for driving) - you could drink de-alcoholized beer all day and not get drunk. 

I understand the need for caution but if you ask Dr. Newman (in his book, on his site) he says that this pumping and dumping is nonsense - there's no need for it.  When babies are in the womb, their blood alcohol level is exactly what yours is, thereby making it dangerous; when their drinking your milk, their body is metabolizing the milk and the tiny amount of acohol in it.  That being said, you should do what you're comfortable with.

I have a couple of questions... Why would you want to give your babe milk with any alcohol content in it? And why would you have alcohol in your system while you're preggo?  Regardless that contaminated milk will pass through the babe, wouldn't the level (even if it's the least) have a different affect on the little one then it does on an adult body?

I never had alcohol in my system when I was pregnant - I was just trying to illustrate the difference between the baby consuming milk with 0.08% alcohol in it and the baby having 0.08% alcohol in his/her own blood (which would be the situation when pregnant).  As I said, you should do what you're comfortable with and if that's pumping and then not using the milk then do that - I was merely making the point that Dr. Newman and other breastfeeding experts contend that there is absolutely no risk involved in moderate drinking while breastfeeding.  Dr. Newman, in fact, argues that insisting that mothers don't drink at all while breastfeeding or that they "pump and dump" (I really hate that term) lends to the popular misconception that only saints can breatfeed thereby discouraging nursing and shortening its duration for many women.  Moderation is key.  Obviously, you're not going to get incredibly drunk - forget the breastfeeding issue, you can't effectively care for a baby when you're intoxicated!

Melissa - posted on 03/20/2009

If you're okay to drive, you're okay to nurse :)

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Emily:

When you are at the legal limit for driving your blood alcohol content is 0.08% - your breastmilk has exactly the percentage that your blood does - it transfers freely

De-alcoholized beer is 0.6% (almost 8 times the alcohol content of your milk at the legal limit for driving) - you could drink de-alcoholized beer all day and not get drunk. 

I understand the need for caution but if you ask Dr. Newman (in his book, on his site) he says that this pumping and dumping is nonsense - there's no need for it.  When babies are in the womb, their blood alcohol level is exactly what yours is, thereby making it dangerous; when their drinking your milk, their body is metabolizing the milk and the tiny amount of acohol in it.  That being said, you should do what you're comfortable with.

I have a couple of questions... Why would you want to give your babe milk with any alcohol content in it? And why would you have alcohol in your system while you're preggo?  Regardless that contaminated milk will pass through the babe, wouldn't the level (even if it's the least) have a different affect on the little one then it does on an adult body?

Krystle - posted on 03/20/2009

What's wrong with the the pump and dump??? Why such bad reviews? There's nothing wrong with it... From my understanding, if you don't release when you're supposed to (when the baby is supposed to eat), your boobs get the signal that they need to step back and not produce as much as they're use to. I know that happened to me when I didn't pump; the next day I didn't pump as much as I did the day prior to me choosing not to pump. (I exclusively pumped, that's how I noticed I was short on milk, so I knew how much I was supposed to get.) I think it's necessary to keep your routine going so you don't fall short on your supply. But, when you do pump and dump you got to be sure that you have enough milk stored and that your babe takes the bottle well.

Kimberly - posted on 03/19/2009

I never pump and dump!

Emily - posted on 03/19/2009

When you are at the legal limit for driving your blood alcohol content is 0.08% - your breastmilk has exactly the percentage that your blood does - it transfers freely

De-alcoholized beer is 0.6% (almost 8 times the alcohol content of your milk at the legal limit for driving) - you could drink de-alcoholized beer all day and not get drunk. 

I understand the need for caution but if you ask Dr. Newman (in his book, on his site) he says that this pumping and dumping is nonsense - there's no need for it.  When babies are in the womb, their blood alcohol level is exactly what yours is, thereby making it dangerous; when their drinking your milk, their body is metabolizing the milk and the tiny amount of acohol in it.  That being said, you should do what you're comfortable with.

Krystle - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Erin:

you can buy alcohol test strips at any drugstore to test your breast milk for the presence of alcohol. Its usually out of your breast milk when its out of your bloodstream, so a few hours for every couple of drinks. I use Milkscreen alcohol detection kit, it takes 2 minutes.

yeah... these are very helpful... I am a bartender and even though some may think it would be easy to avoid that drink, its really not. After drinking I would continue pumping my milk so that the my supply didnt decrease and continue to test the milk until it was safe for the babe to have. Really simple and very helpful for the mom who likes to drink!

Erica - posted on 03/19/2009

From what I understand it will leave your milk like it does you blood streem so I would think that after 12 hrs you should be more then good. At least that's what I do, depending all on how much you drink too.

Shanna - posted on 03/19/2009

I tried going out one night but only ended up consuming 2 coolers because I was just worried about not being able to feed my baby. I am pretty excited for her to be no longer breastfed so I can get an enjoyable night out lol

Shanna - posted on 03/19/2009

My doctor told me to wait until my daughter was 3 months old and 2 hours for every ounce of alcohol you consume - starting from the time in which you finished your last drink. So, you had 8 drinks (at 1oz of vodka, unless they were doubles) and lets say you stopped drinking at 11pm you should be safe with nursing again around 3pm the folowing day.

Also, you do not have to pump and dump - unless it's for your own comfort (engourgment) because alcohol will not stay in your milk. It leaves your milk just like it leaves your blood.

Tamara - posted on 03/19/2009

My sister was a breastfeeding freak! lol... she told me that after 4 hours from your last drink, your milk is no longer "alcoholic". I did use those strips from Walgreens that test your breast milk. The first time I used it I do not think it was accurate. My daughters stools were dark green after I used the trips to test and fed her my breast milk. Since then I have found out that I can have one glass of wine and it does not affect my milk at all..... but the best thing to do is to pump and dump... or just not drink at all!

:)

Becca - posted on 03/19/2009

When it will be completely out of your system depends on when you finished drinking. It takes approximately one hour per serving...8 servings = 8 hours from the time that you stop drinking.

(I'm a former Alcohol/other Drug Prevention/Intervention Educator.

Tricia - posted on 03/19/2009

I am not sure on how long you should wait but I do know when I had my daughter 6 years ago if I drank then I would pump the whole next day and dump just to be sure.  I didnt want to take any risks and at that time I had never heard or the detector kit that they sell in the stores.

Jennifer - posted on 03/19/2009

Your breastmilk has pretty much the same alcohol level as your blood, so whenever you best think the alcohol has long since made its way out of your system you can start breastfeeding straight from the tap again :)

Erin - posted on 03/18/2009

you can buy alcohol test strips at any drugstore to test your breast milk for the presence of alcohol. Its usually out of your breast milk when its out of your bloodstream, so a few hours for every couple of drinks. I use Milkscreen alcohol detection kit, it takes 2 minutes.

Ronni - posted on 03/18/2009

Well since you posted it yesterday you prob already put her back the the boob. When i was in the situation i pumped and dumped my milk. I calculated the time i would have feed my son and i pumped and dumped the milk about every 2-3 hours for a whole day i didn't want to take a chance. After i realized how much milk i end up wasting i decided to leave drinking to dad for the next few months.

Anna - posted on 03/18/2009

My husband (who has a doctorate degree and teaches human anatomy at a local college) says that it takes, on average, an hour per drink for your body to metabolize the alcohol.  Considering this is your baby we're talking about, I'd give it a couple extra hours just to be extra safe.

I use this rule of thumb when I go to weddings or other events, and haven't had any problems.

Michelle - posted on 03/18/2009

Our lactation nurse told me that as long as I did not feel the effects of my drink I could safely feed. Otherwise, wait til the effect wears off or two hours. Which ever one is longer. I would say that unless you have a major major hangover you are fine to start feeding her again. Good luck

Stef - posted on 03/18/2009

I always followed the rule..If I feel drunk...my milk is! I have read that as long as alcohol stays in your blood, it stays in your milk. After a couple drinks a good pump and dump when you get home (for your comfort) and if a few more than needed were indulged :)..a pump and dump in the morning. Thats the way Ive always done it.

Chani - posted on 03/18/2009

Yah, Ive pumped and dumped 4 times already and I think Im gonna give her the boob for her bedtime feeding which will be anytime now :)

Thanks so much everyone!

Kristel - posted on 03/18/2009

Depending on when I've had the drink, I either pump and dump one time or, if it's late at night, I just feed her as usual in the morning. Even though 8 drinks is kind of a lot, I think you are probably fine today. Did you pump in the meantime? I imagine you must have, otherwise it would be pretty painful!

Amanda - posted on 03/18/2009

They say that it is not motabolized in your milk. I usually just pump and dump one time.  There is a new detector kit that you can get a walgreens that tests to see if there is alcohol in your milk. 

Terri - posted on 03/18/2009

i dont really know how long to wait other than what i have read online.  however, i think it's not worth the risk to not wait quite some time.  until you are sure the alcohol is completely out of your system.   especially at 8 weeks.  i had about 3 beers the night of our office party and waited over 7 hours after my last swallow and still felt guilty.  it ended up not being worth it to me.  i do wonder if those test strips work.   anyone tried or heard anything about those?