How does what I eat effect my breastmilk?

Question

I know that what I eat is passed on in some form to my baby through my breastmilk, but how fast does that process work? If I drink a glass of wine, does it INSTANTLY effect my breastmilk or a few hours later? How long does it stay in my breastmilk? Same thing for coffee.... Is it EVER ok to consume these things while breastfeeding, should I wait a few hours afterwards, etc etc...

Answer 1

It is *not* the case that everything you eat is passed onto your baby in some form. *Some* women pass proteins from the foods in their diet through the milk, but not all, and only protein. The problem is that there's no way to know with many things how quickly they reach your milk. Foods, for instance, can appear in your milk anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours after you eat them.

It is *always* okay to drink wine--as long as it is only occasional, and you limit yourself to one or two *standard* sized drinks. The same is true of other alcoholic beverages--one to two standard size is fine. You don't need to skip a feeding, and you *never* need to "pump and dump" for the sake of the baby--when the alcohol leaves your body, it is *gone*. Your breasts *are* still part of your body, right? If you *do* drink enough to be impaired, then you should wait 2-3 hours after the last drink or until you feel "neurologically normal" (that's the precise term used). Pump if you need to miss a feeding for your *own* comfort, but don't worry about the level of alcohol in your milk later on. Alcohol levels peak in your milk about 30-90 minutes after drinking.

Most babies are okay if the breastfeeding mother drinks coffee in moderation--up to 5 cups a day (or equivalent in other sources of caffeine, such as tea or many soft drinks). A very few babies *will* react to lower levels of caffeine in the mother's diet; in this case, you may have to cut back further. Caffeine levels in your milk are at their highest 1-2 hours after you drink the coffee.

Chocolate, by the way has only very *low* levels of caffeine; it has a different chemical, called theobromine, which is a relative of caffeine. I haven't seen any information on how much theobromine is likely to affect a baby, but you are definitely allowed to eat chocolate in moderation if you so choose.

It is also blatently *not* true that the emptier your breasts are when you take drugs, the more they "fill" with alcohol, caffeine, etc. Drugs enter your milk at a steady level. Alcohol, for instance, will always have about the same concentration in your milk as in your blood. This means, for instnace, that if you are *extremely* drunk (0.2% blood alcohol level), your baby is still getting *much* less alcohol than drinking even the mildest of beer (over 3% alcohol). Caffeine enters your milk at a *lower* level than blood; you will have about 1/2 to 3/4 as high a concentration of caffeine in your milk as your blood. Again, this is true if your breasts are nearly empty or bursting.

It is also not true that milk is not produced between feedings. Milk is produced *constantly*, but most quickly when baby is nursing and when the breasts are emptiest. So right after a feeding, milk is produced quickly, but if you put the baby to the breast again, production will increase even more.

Both alcohol and caffeine are listed by the American Academy of Pediatrics--the professional organization of pediatricians in the US--as "Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding". See first reference in sources section below. In addition, Dr. Thomas Hale, the world's foremost expert on drugs and breastfeeding is the source for the information I have included above. It is based on information from his book, _Medications and Mothers' Milk_, 2002 edition and personal communication. I am including a reference to his Web site below, as well (second URL); you may have to sign in as "guest" to use the site, but you don't have to give any personal information.

I apologize for the length of this reply. I thought it important to address all your points and a few errors that were given by other answerers.

Answer 2

Wine...or any alcohol for that matter -
You should wait approx 2 hours after having a drink before you nurse again. Alcohol is eliminated from your milk the same way it is eliminated from your blood. SO...if your head feels clear then your milk is most likely clear too. If you feel sober enough to drive, you're probably sober enough to nurse too. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.” Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking

Coffee.....La Leche League says that up to 5 cups (5 oz each) of coffee is OK. Caffeine is also approved by the AAP for use in nursing mothers.

You just have to use common sense and use these things in moderation.

Also...someone mentioned "the breast having a longer time to fill." The breast doesn't fill up with milk between feedings. The milk is made ON DEMAND at the minute that the baby is put to the breast. Anything that is in the breast in between is whatever is left over from the LAST feeding.

Answer 3

The effects are in a cycle with your feeding of the infant. If you drink a glass of wine after just feeding then the breast has more room to fill so there will be a larger percentage of "wine" tinged milk. Same with coffee. I would suggest not drinking coffee after 2 p.m., if you absolutely have to have it. Note that if you have one there will still be one feeding in the afternoon where the caffine will be present in breastmilk and can effect your infant.

Answer 4

Well the baby gets everything you intake. So if you're only eating McDonalds, for example all they're getting is the empty calories. Regardless of what you eat the baby will take what they need from your body by force, thereby causing your health to deteriorate. Even when you eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids, most ob/gyns will prescribe you prenatal vitamins and extra calcium. And that's just for one baby! You really need to start eating better if you want the twins to be healthy and strong, and you too. Talk to your doctor about vitamin supplements.

Answer 5

It takes about a half hour, and will be in your milk for 24 hours. I am a breastfeeding mom and do not drink any caffeine as it makes my son hyper. I didn't drink it while I was pregnant. I am Larry's girlfriend

Answer 6

You should nurse your baby before you drink any wine. Then wait at least 2 hours, before you nurse your baby again. If you are unsure about anything you eat, wait at least an hour, before nursing your baby.

Answer 7

wen u are breast feeding ur not supposed to eat and drinks things that wil affect ur child... if u want ur child to have some defacts then pls go ahead and enjoy urself with wine and coffee..
if ur want to eat and drink then dont breast feed ur child... put he/she straight to bottle...