Are You Allowed to Drink While Breast Feeding
Key takeaways:
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Alcohol goes into human milk just as it does the bloodstream, but that doesn't mean you need to "pump and dump."
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Occasional light alcohol use while breastfeeding is likely safe, but regular heavy use has risks.
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If you do decide to have alcohol while breastfeeding your baby, make sure you take steps to keep your baby safe — including never co-sleeping with your baby after drinking.
After avoiding alcohol throughout pregnancy, many new parents may be eager for that glass of wine or cold beer.
Most people know that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be dangerous for the unborn baby. But over 60% of women report using alcohol while nursing, and they may not be aware that this also comes with some risks.
Read on to learn about what we know about drinking alcohol while nursing, and how to make sure your baby stays safe.
Is it safe for mothers to drink alcohol while nursing?
There is limited research looking at drinking alcohol while nursing, but what we do know suggests that having 1 or 2 standard drinks per day is likely safe for your baby. A standard drink means a 12 ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, or a 1.5 ounce shot of distilled spirits such as gin, vodka, or whiskey. If you do decide to drink alcohol while breastfeeding, there are some steps to take to make sure you are keeping your baby safe.
Can alcohol be found in breast milk?
Yes. We know the amount of alcohol circulating in the bloodstream is about the same as the amount of alcohol that will be in breast milk. This level is highest within an hour after drinking. When a parent drinks alcohol and then nurses a child, the highest level of alcohol the nursing child is exposed to is 6% of the weight-adjusted amount of alcohol the parent drank.
As the alcohol gets metabolized out of the bloodstream, it also clears from the milk. Pumping does not remove the alcohol from the milk — only lowering blood alcohol content will do that.
How long after drinking can you breastfeed?
To keep your baby safe, it is recommended to wait 2 hours per alcoholic drink before nursing your baby. As the alcohol is cleared from your blood, it will also be cleared from your breast milk. Taking steps to lower your blood alcohol level will also lower the alcohol level in the milk you make, so eating food, drinking water, or sometimes simply waiting it out will help.
Can drinking alcohol help stimulate breast milk production?
Many have heard that beer can help boost milk production. Barley (in beer) does help stimulate milk production, but studies have not shown that beer helps with milk production. In fact, some studies have shown that alcohol actually decreases the let-down of milk and may decrease milk production. Fortunately, there are many other sources of barley in foods and in supplements that may help with milk production.
What are the risks of alcohol for my baby?
Newborns metabolize alcohol more slowly. This means that for a given amount of alcohol, their bodies will take longer to clear it than older children, and adults.
Alcohol exposure in a nursing baby can lead to some short-term effects including:
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Decreased milk intake
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Sleep disturbances such as more frequent awakening and changes in REM sleep
The long-term impacts of regular alcohol exposure in breast milk are still unknown. There have been some studies that have raised concern, linking heavy alcohol use with delayed motor development or decreased growth, but this has not been confirmed in large and well-designed studies.
One of the biggest concerns of drinking alcohol while nursing is that alcohol may impair an adult's ability to care for a baby safely. This is why it's critical that you never co-sleep with your baby after having alcohol.
Do you have to 'pump and dump' after drinking?
No, it is not necessary to "pump and dump" (pumping out breast milk and throwing it away instead of saving it for your baby) after drinking for a few reasons. Firstly, alcohol in human milk is cleared at the same rate as alcohol in the blood. Secondly, pumping milk may remove that milk from the body but it will not clear alcohol from your blood or lower the amount of alcohol in the new supply of milk your body makes.
Giving your body time to clear the alcohol from your bloodstream and your milk is the best way to keep your nursing baby safe. With that said, there may be other reasons to pump, such as to relieve comfort from engorgement or to help keep up your milk supply.
How to keep your baby safe if you have a drink
If you decide to drink some alcohol while nursing, here are some considerations to keep your baby safe:
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Newborns under 8 weeks cannot metabolize alcohol as well, so try to minimize your alcohol intake for the first 8 weeks of your baby's life.
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Limit your alcohol intake to 1 to 2 drinks per day or less when nursing.
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Drink alcohol with food and water to help lower blood alcohol levels (and human milk alcohol levels).
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After drinking, wait for 2 hours (per drink) to nurse your baby.
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Make sure to never co-sleep with your baby if you have consumed any alcohol.
The bottom line
Drinking alcohol while nursing is likely safe in small amounts, but there are some risks to be aware of. If you do decide to drink some alcohol, there are precautions to take to make sure your baby stays safe. This includes limiting your intake to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks, waiting at least 2 hours to nurse, and never co-sleeping with your baby after alcohol use.
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Source: https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/parenthood-pregnancy/alcohol-and-breastfeeding
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