Drinking whilst breastfeeding

[babyjay1]

hiya guys, if i was to have a few drinks on xmas day and express my milk, when am i able to feed my baby from the breast again? Just wondering if this is possible or is it best just to stay off the drink completely, anyone know?

 

[budge]

just have a drink and continue breast feeding. the levels of alcohol will be minute if you were to have just a couple of glasses of wine for example.

if you intend to have a binge its another matter and im not the person to ask coz i don't binge drink.

 

[babyjay1]

Thanks, i wasn't sure if it would affect my LO even if it was just a couple.

 

[skatty]

I read the other day the alcohol leaves your breastmilk the same way it does your body so no need to pump and dump. I am going to have a glass or two after my last feed at about 8pm, my Dh will then feed her some EBM and I will then hopefully have hardly any alcohol in the milk by the morning feed

 

[babyjay1]

do you think if you had anymore than 2 then the morning feed should be expressed too? I'm not planning on getting drunk but i haven't drank for 9 months and would love to have a few seen as it's xmas! Would never harm my LO though so what ever's best for him really.

 

[skatty]

I would think by the morning a lot of alcohol would have left the milk but I am not sure on that, I'm a bit of a lightweight when it comes to drinking now so 2 is more than enough

 

[budge]

im sure a glass or two of wine or a glass of beer won't harm baby.
i think if its an everyday thing or a binge drink you should worry. but don't feel bad having one or two.

 

[beanie]

I agree, just a couple don't worry. I am looking forward to my Christmas drinks. Haven't had a drink at Chrimbo for 10 years. The first 8 were because I drove over to see family. Then I was too hungover to drink at all. Then last year I was in labour so bring it on I wonder if it will make my milk taste different, Bailey flavoured milk

 

[Melanie]

La Leche League's THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING (p. 328) says:

The effects of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother ingests. When the breastfeeding mother drinks occasionally or limits her consumption to one drink or less per day, the amount of alcohol her baby recieves has not been proven to be harmful.

La Leche League's THE BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK (pp. 597-598) says:

Alcohol passes freely into mother's milk and has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, 60 to 90 minutes when taken with food. Alcohol also freely passes out of a mother's milk and her system. It takes a 120 pound woman about two to three hours to eliminate from her body the alcohol in one serving of beer or wine...the more alcohol that is consumed, the longer it takes for it to be eliminated. It takes up to 13 hours for a 120 pound woman to eliminate the alcohol from one high-alcohol drink. The effects of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother consumes.

 

[budge]

thanks melanie.

ive always advised people that even in pregnancy alcohol in moderation is ok and safe.

So long as you don't go out and get sozzled its fine! Im drinking hoegardden at the moment and very nice it is too


Beanie i often wonder what difference the milk tastes to the baby i think baileys would be quite noce you know 8)

 

[skatty]

I had my 2 glasses of champers and woke up with a hangover

 

[babyjay1]

Thanks everyone, had 2 glasses of wine on xmas day, v nice it was too! A couple of glasses of champers for me on new years eve, 1st one that i've actually stayed in!