Breastfeeding and drinking?

Danah - posted on 10/20/2009

I personally don't drink at all before during and after my pregnancy, but I do not judge you if you choose to drink. I watched the TV show TheDoctors yesterday and I wanted to share the information with you. They said that you do not have to pump and dump because once the alcohol is out of your bloodstream it is no longer in your milk. They also said you should wait a couple of hour per drink before breastfeeding your child. If you have one drink then wait 2 hours, if you have 3 drinks then wait 6 hours. I think the website is www.thedrstv.com

Jill - posted on 10/20/2009

If your worried why drink? Why even take that itty bitty chance?

Marina - posted on 10/19/2009

Hmmm... The only advice I heard was "pump and dump". You can pump some milk after drinking, discard it, and the rest should be fine. However I suggest you google the exact times and quantities of milk.

Good luck and have a good time :-)

Bethany - posted on 10/19/2009

Quoting Lynette:

Quoting Bethany:

all of this is advice directly from a lactation consultant:
alcohol leaves your breastmilk as it leaves your bloodstream. it is worthless to pump and dump. if you feel that you have had too much, just wait, or supplement with a bottle of previously expressed milk or formula. if you would drive a car, you can breastfeed.

I teach a dwi class....driving a car doesn't mean that you don't still have too much alcohol in your system...many people drive when they shouldn't have. Books I read said that you shouldn't have more than 1 drink when breastfeeding and best bet is to wait atleast 1 hr per drink as you should do  b4 driving (it takes approx 2.5 drinks to get a dwai)

yep, that sounds about right.  i don't mean "could you astart a car and put it in gear?", i mean "would you feel confident that you could safely drive your child around in your car and are well under the legal limit for blood alcohol?"

Christina - posted on 10/19/2009

I just asked my nurse that question today!! She told me that if your sober your milk is sober. She told me if it made me feel better to pump once before feeding her then do that. But a long as your completley sober so is your milk and you can feed baby!!

Christine - posted on 10/18/2009

I have done extensive research on this and have found that the consensus is that when you no longer feel the effects of the alcohol, then the alcohol is no longer in your milk. Also, you don't have to pump and dump. Alcohol doesn't stay in your milk, it goes in and then goes out; much like alcohol works its way through your blood stream.



I found this information on kellymom.com:



"Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.”

Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.

It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).

There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk.

Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit let-down and decrease milk production (see below).

If you're away from your baby, try to pump as often as baby usually nurses (this is to maintain milk supply, not because of the alcohol). At the very least, pump or hand express whenever you feel uncomfortably full - this will help you to avoid plugged ducts and mastitis."



http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...



If you following the link, there's more information. But, in a nutshell, its fine to have a a few drinks.

Becky - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting April:

No need to pump and dump. I quote from a new leaflet produced by the Breastfeeding Network, a UK charity for breastfeeding mums:
"There is no evidence that having an occasional drink will harm your baby. Alcohol levels are highest about 30-90 minutes after drinking so you may want to try to restrict your drinking until after your baby has fed. Never put yourself in a situation where you may fall asleep with your baby (on a bed, chair or sofa) if you have been drinking. If you have had lots to drink (binge drinking) ask someone else to care for your baby... If you pass out or vomit from too much alcohol don't bf until the following morning. you do not need to express to clear your milk of alc as it passes back into your bloodstream as your own blood levels fall."

thats great info, i hope its true !!!

Alison - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting Dawn:

some people drink and some don't when breastfeeding.
personally i choose not to, i don't want to take the risk that the alcohol might get to my baby. after not drinking for 9 months whilst pregnant its bound to affect you more when you have the first drinks again so who can tell how much is going to pass in to the milk.
i also try to avoid caffeine as that can affect baby too -as a small amount is meant to be ok so i reserve that for chocolate! i drank some cherry cola a couple of days after giving birth and my baby was quite restless after so i keep cola drinks as a treat once in a blue moon and only drink decaf tea and coffee.

we only breastfeed for a short amount of time compared to how long we are alive so i think not having an alcoholic drink for a bit longer is hardly much of a sacrifice.

This is very true. we need to put our baby first and not ourselves. Having the odd beer or glass of wine is fine, but to get totally bladdered when you have a little baby to think of, especially breastfeeding the little one, why would anyone want to???

Us breastfeeding mums have to be so aware of what we are putting into our bodies as our babies are counting on us to nourish them. I would liken this to smoking whilst around our babies. We need to put our babies first and ourselves second.

Christie - posted on 10/18/2009

Treat breastfeeding almost like pregnancy. It is better not to drink at all. I have seen too many kids on the older end who have been adversely affected by their parent's vices. It is simply not worth it to take the risk. Once you have a child, it is not about you any more - it is about what that child needs. It is good that you are concerned enough to ask how long after drinking it is OK to breastfeed again; it shows you are considering the welfare of your child. You are to be commended for thinking that way. The bottom line is that parents absolutely must to the right thing. It is a small sacrifice to give up those habits for the short time your children are tiny and dependent.

Meg - posted on 10/18/2009

oh and i thought that we were all taught in drivers ed that alcohol is still in your system after you don't 'feel' drunk anymore...duh. my friend pumps before she drinks and she also waits at least 8 hours after drinking to let her baby breastfeed. i'd rather be safe than sorry.

Tiera - posted on 10/18/2009

I was told by a doctor that the alcohol level in in your breastmilk is equal to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream.

Erica - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting summer:

well first its totalyy irresponsible to do it! and you need to wait 24 hours for it to totaly be out of your system. but you need to decide whats more important breastfeeding or drinking?!

while breastfeeding it is best to think like you are still pregnant, as you are their only food source then you are now too.

This is a place for questions not judgement , Please be kind to others regardless of your own personal opoinion.

Thanks

Erica

Ramona - posted on 10/18/2009

I pump and dump just to be safe. They are things out now that will allow you to test your milk for alcohol content. They are pretty inexpensive. Of course it depends how many drinks you have, usually 2 hours for every one drink... hope that helps.

Jessica - posted on 10/18/2009

The lacticion consultant told me i could drink beer and wine to help along with brining in the milk because of the yeast.

I know people who drank their entire pregnancy or did something they shouldn't have... So to sit here and say treat breast feeding like pregnancy is dumb.

The more foods you consume it just introduces it to the baby.



I didnt drink hard alcohol while i breastfed, but it didnt help that i got torn up after my first beer after the baby was born anyways!



You need plenty of fluids at all times. I agree with the fact that it's all personal oppinions

Susannah - posted on 10/18/2009

The doctors say when you drink and you breast feed by the time you feed all the alcohol as been filter out of your body...i think it all a personal oppinon

Joy - posted on 10/17/2009

My suggestion is, if you're planning on going out and drinking a lot, pump a few bottles of milk first. Then nurse your baby right before you go out. If your baby has a bottle every 2 hours, and you pump like, 4 or 5 bottles, you should be fine to nurse after the bottles are gone. Of course, this depends on how long you are out, but you can do the calculations depending on your plans.

Amy - posted on 10/17/2009

I have breastfed 2 of my 3 children and have found that having an occasional glass of wine or a beer is ok.



The purpose of the "pump and dump" is for your comfort. If you feel like you should give your baby a bottle after you have a few drinks, you can pump and dump on your regular schedule in order to keep your breasts from becoming too engorged.

Geneva - posted on 10/17/2009

i agree with those who say when it's out of your bloodstream, it's out of your milk - & there's no way you have alcohol in your bloodstream for 24 or 48 hours. check out milkscreenmoms.com - those are the test strips (you can buy them at babies r us) & the website has a lot of useful info.

Michelle - posted on 10/17/2009

You just have to not feel tipsy/ drunk! There are also test strips that are sold at Walgreens and maybe other drugstores that you can put into your breastmilk to see if there is alcohol in it.

Summer - posted on 10/17/2009

Quoting Lynette:

Quoting Bethany:

all of this is advice directly from a lactation consultant:
alcohol leaves your breastmilk as it leaves your bloodstream. it is worthless to pump and dump. if you feel that you have had too much, just wait, or supplement with a bottle of previously expressed milk or formula. if you would drive a car, you can breastfeed.

I teach a dwi class....driving a car doesn't mean that you don't still have too much alcohol in your system...many people drive when they shouldn't have. Books I read said that you shouldn't have more than 1 drink when breastfeeding and best bet is to wait atleast 1 hr per drink as you should do  b4 driving (it takes approx 2.5 drinks to get a dwai)

i have to agree, i know a lot of people that "thought" they were ok to drive and either had a wreck, died in a wreck, or got a DUI... drinking impares your judgement...so its simple if drinking is so umportant that you can't put it off till you are done breastfeeding... DONT breastfeed!!

Emily - posted on 10/16/2009

My nurse told me to Nurse or pump right before I wanted to drink and by the time they needed to nurse again you would be fine. Also if you are worried about it they make strips that can tell you if it is safe to nurse or not. I think you can get them at baby's r us.

Natasha - posted on 10/16/2009

Hmmmm again these people with the DO NOT EVER HAVE TIME OUT AND ENJOY YOURSELF! attitude. I say use your own judgement, drink responsibly and maybe have plenty of milk expressed beforehand to give to your baby before and after you drink. If you are extremely intoxicated pump and dump so you can get the garbage milk out. Some of the breastfeeding extremists need to get a life, however, and stop pushing their "breastfeeding is life" agenda on others!

Stina - posted on 10/16/2009

I enjoy a glass of wine in the evening a few nights a week. I generally wait till after my dd has eaten so that there will be some time between my drink and her next meal but so long as you aren't getting drunk, just one drink won't hurt your baby. This is my 3rd child. With my first I used to pump and dump because I was terrified he would get any of the alchohol. Now, I know that one glass for me won't hurt her.

If you are wanting to get drunk, have some expressed milk on hand to give her until you are sober.

Kelli - posted on 10/16/2009

Quoting Dawn:

some people drink and some don't when breastfeeding.
personally i choose not to, i don't want to take the risk that the alcohol might get to my baby. after not drinking for 9 months whilst pregnant its bound to affect you more when you have the first drinks again so who can tell how much is going to pass in to the milk.
i also try to avoid caffeine as that can affect baby too -as a small amount is meant to be ok so i reserve that for chocolate! i drank some cherry cola a couple of days after giving birth and my baby was quite restless after so i keep cola drinks as a treat once in a blue moon and only drink decaf tea and coffee.

we only breastfeed for a short amount of time compared to how long we are alive so i think not having an alcoholic drink for a bit longer is hardly much of a sacrifice.

i have to completely agree with you !

Dawn - posted on 10/16/2009

some people drink and some don't when breastfeeding.
personally i choose not to, i don't want to take the risk that the alcohol might get to my baby. after not drinking for 9 months whilst pregnant its bound to affect you more when you have the first drinks again so who can tell how much is going to pass in to the milk.
i also try to avoid caffeine as that can affect baby too -as a small amount is meant to be ok so i reserve that for chocolate! i drank some cherry cola a couple of days after giving birth and my baby was quite restless after so i keep cola drinks as a treat once in a blue moon and only drink decaf tea and coffee.

we only breastfeed for a short amount of time compared to how long we are alive so i think not having an alcoholic drink for a bit longer is hardly much of a sacrifice.

Jessica - posted on 10/16/2009

Quoting summer:

well first its totalyy irresponsible to do it! and you need to wait 24 hours for it to totaly be out of your system. but you need to decide whats more important breastfeeding or drinking?!

First of all, no its not irresponsible to have a few drinks , if you have someone else to take care of the baby (in the case you're actually drunk) and if you aren't going to get sloshed and then breastfeed your kid.

The fact she's even asking about it shows that she is being responsible.

I have a beer or two every evening, and I'm not worried about when I feed him.  I don't even get a buzz, and he's totally fine.

To answer the question... as you can see you're going to get lots of conflicting advice!  Both the LCs when I gave birth said that the equivalent of a beer or two, or a glass of wine is fine, not enough gets into your blood stream for you to need to give a bottle of expressed milk or formula.  As for actually being drunk... most things I've read say its out of your milk when its out of your blood.  I wait until I'm sober and can't feel it anymore.  Do what you feel comfortable with.

April - posted on 10/16/2009

No need to pump and dump. I quote from a new leaflet produced by the Breastfeeding Network, a UK charity for breastfeeding mums:
"There is no evidence that having an occasional drink will harm your baby. Alcohol levels are highest about 30-90 minutes after drinking so you may want to try to restrict your drinking until after your baby has fed. Never put yourself in a situation where you may fall asleep with your baby (on a bed, chair or sofa) if you have been drinking. If you have had lots to drink (binge drinking) ask someone else to care for your baby... If you pass out or vomit from too much alcohol don't bf until the following morning. you do not need to express to clear your milk of alc as it passes back into your bloodstream as your own blood levels fall."

Sunshine - posted on 10/16/2009

Im not too sure about this one, I would suggest not drinking while you breast feed but thats non of my business, lol!! Good luck on getting your answers:)

Karen - posted on 10/16/2009

Babies r us sells strips that you can test your milk with so that you know if your milk is safe.

Amy - posted on 10/16/2009

If I'm going on a night out I express enough milk to last 24hrs from my last drink and I pump and dump till I'm ready to feed again.

I think if you are careful, it is possible to breastfeed and drink responsibly. I am very careful and wouldn't start feeding until I'm sure the alcohol is out of my system.

Alley - posted on 10/15/2009

Only 2% of alcohol goes into your breastmilk i read, so if you are okay to drive you are okay to breastfeed.

kellymom.com is a great site for info like this

Rebecca - posted on 10/15/2009

I would wait at least until you don't feel the effects of the alcohol. I choose not to drink because it seemed so confusing to me, but I think the others were right in saying a few hours (depending on how much you drank). Threre are also test strips out on the market to test your owm milk after you have drank, but I have not used them. They may only be available online??? Take care!

Lynette - posted on 10/15/2009

Quoting Bethany:

all of this is advice directly from a lactation consultant:
alcohol leaves your breastmilk as it leaves your bloodstream. it is worthless to pump and dump. if you feel that you have had too much, just wait, or supplement with a bottle of previously expressed milk or formula. if you would drive a car, you can breastfeed.

I teach a dwi class....driving a car doesn't mean that you don't still have too much alcohol in your system...many people drive when they shouldn't have. Books I read said that you shouldn't have more than 1 drink when breastfeeding and best bet is to wait atleast 1 hr per drink as you should do  b4 driving (it takes approx 2.5 drinks to get a dwai)

Jenifer - posted on 10/15/2009

Great resource on breastfeeding and alcohol:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

You just need to wait as long as it takes for the alcohol to leave your blood. Could be an hour or several hours, depending on how much you're drinking.

Bethany - posted on 10/15/2009

all of this is advice directly from a lactation consultant:

alcohol leaves your breastmilk as it leaves your bloodstream. it is worthless to pump and dump. if you feel that you have had too much, just wait, or supplement with a bottle of previously expressed milk or formula. if you would drive a car, you can breastfeed.

Lynette - posted on 10/15/2009

FACT: alcohol takes 1 hour per drink for the first 3 drinks and about 1.5 hrs each there after (1 oz liquor, 5 oz wine, 10 oz wine cooler and 12 oz beer) to get out of your system.....so drinking water will not speed up the process of getting it out of your system.

Danielle - posted on 10/15/2009

you have to wait 48 hours if it's not beer! you should never drink while breastfeeding though. don't breastfeed if you want to drink! cause honestly noone really knows how long it takes!

Summer - posted on 10/15/2009

well first its totalyy irresponsible to do it! and you need to wait 24 hours for it to totaly be out of your system. but you need to decide whats more important breastfeeding or drinking?!



while breastfeeding it is best to think like you are still pregnant, as you are their only food source then you are now too.

Kate - posted on 10/15/2009

I used the the test strips you can buy at babies'r'us and I was below .02 after two glasses of wine with dinner (which meant I was fine to feed). Granted I'm 170 (baby weight argh!) and 5'11".

Vicky - posted on 10/15/2009

i read that if you just drink 1 beer it should be ok to breast feed. I usually dont drink any more than 2 while out to dinner. if i happen to go out for a mommy's nite out i stop drinking a hour before and drink water then i pump and dump. and cont. to drink lots of fluids that way i am ready to nurse in the morning. hope this helps.

Kim - posted on 10/15/2009

If you are ok to drive, you are ok to nurse. I've had 2 drinks and not waited. My babies were both fine. I've never drank to excess while breastfeeding anyway. When in doubt, wait 1 hour per drink.

Jessica - posted on 10/15/2009

You're welcome!

Michelle - posted on 10/15/2009

Okay this helps alot THANKS..

Jessica - posted on 10/15/2009

no, I don't think so. If you're worried, give it at least 2 hrs where you aren't feeling the alcohol anymore & you're good to go & nurse your sweet baby!

Michelle - posted on 10/15/2009

oh okay then thanks for the info..
i would wait a whole day when i wud drink so that isnt nessesary?

Jessica - posted on 10/15/2009

Drink LOTS of water & try to sober up a bit...I've nursed when I'm a little buzzed & he didn't have any behavior change. Just be sure to push the fluids. If you know you're going to go out & have a a lot, then pump before hand, so you can give a bottle of breast milk that is for sure alcohol free. My son won't take bottles, so I just don't get more than a small buzz going.

Michelle - posted on 10/15/2009

hmm how about when yur drunk?

Jessica - posted on 10/15/2009

2 hrs ??