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Breastfeeding and alcohol

Caroline - posted on 06/18/2009 ( 6 moms have responded )

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Hi! I have been breastfeeding my son for 9 months and I have no intention to stop until he is ready to. My question is, however, how bad is it if I drink alcohol? Not that I want to drink all day long, but I do appreciate my glass of wine (or maybe two) during a meal... Is that bad? What is your experience with this? How does it effect your babies, fellow-breastfeeding-mums?! ...just wondering...
Thanks!

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Hannah - posted on 06/18/2009

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I consulted a few people about this myself...every now and then I want a glass of wine with dinner or a beer. I was afraid to do so because sometimes my daughter will eat and wait a few hours and sometimes she is hungry again 30 minutes later. I was told my numerous nurses, lactation specialist, and Docs that if it doesn't make you drunk than no worries. One even suggested a glass of wine at night to help baby and me both to relax. I think as long as you are not drinking more than one drink every once in a while you shouldn't worry.

Beth - posted on 06/18/2009

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my doc told me as long as you wait 2 hours after the glass of wine (just one) then you should be fine. more than one glass and you will either have to wait longer or do one pump and dump and give a bottle at that feeding.

Tara - posted on 06/18/2009

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there are also test strips you can buy to test your milk. They are made by Milkscreen

Tara - posted on 06/18/2009

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wait 1 hr after each glass of wine, counting from when you finish the glass. if you have 2 glasses, plan on feeding expressed milk for a feeding.

Hanako - posted on 06/18/2009

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Caroline ~ your milk/alcohol level is the same as your blood/alcohol level. Once the alcohol has left your blood stream it is not longer in your milk. To minimise the chances of exposing your bubs to alcohol try having your glass straight after a feed (not all in one swig of course, lol!!). That'll give your body time to eliminate the alcohol from your system before the next feed. Or, if you're lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps for a fair chunk of time at night then a glass or will cause no problems at all.



I've heard some people use the expression 'if you're ok to drive, you're ok to breastfeed'...



If you have a night of indulgence and find you over-do it a bit then you can always pump'n'dump (express and get rid of the milk) and feed your little boy previously expressed milk (if you have it). That won't get the alcohol out of your system any quicker but it will stop you missing a feed and engorged.



HTH

:)

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