How long is it going to take for alcohol to be out of my system for breast milk again?
2006-11-16 05:23:35 · 12 answers · asked by instilleddistress 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
They said its fine for me to drink, im not going to hurt my baby, all I am asking is how long does it take to be out of your system.
2006-11-16 05:37:50 · update #1
Umm, I'm usually pretty strict when it comes to my daughter, what she eats, sun exposure, you name it, and I'm pretty floored by all the 'DONT DRINK' answers you are getting. I mean, you obviously care enough to ask the ? so it's not like you are recklessly going out to the bar then coming home and nursing your baby!! A drink every now and then is fine! Heck, a beer is suppose to improve your milk supply (that comes straight from a LLL book on nursing). I thought it was 2hrs for the alcohol to be out of your system, and not 1 hr like someone has answered, but I could be wrong.
Ok - this article I've given the link to below seems to give lots of great info. I had thought so, but this confirms, that there IS NO NEED to pump your milk (pump and dump) after drinking as alcohol is not stored in your milk. If you have a drink, waiting 2hrs is considered the ideal. (If you have 2 drinks, then I guess 4hrs, 3 drinks, 6 hrs, etc). And apparently this article doesnt think beer will help increase your supply. Guess that one is still undecided for some.
ADD ON: I just found the best article! It gives you down to the minute how long you'll have to wait for COMPLETE elimination of alcohol in your milk. That way, you have no worries whatsoever!! I'm not a drinker, I never have been, but once my daughter was old enough to sleep almost through the night you bet I had a glass of wine at dinner with NO second thoughts. Ck out the second link below.
Oh yes, and when you can start to feel the alcohol, it is already in your milk. About half an hr I think is the guideline.
2006-11-16 07:00:03 · answer #1 · answered by MaPetiteHippopotame 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your planning on going out to drink a few drinks for one night out, then pump some milk and freeze it. Make several bottles. That way the baby wont be nursing after you come home. I dont know if my answer will make sense or not , because I have no idea how long the alcohol will stay in your breastmilk, but That jsut sounds like something you could try if the alcohol gets out of your system early enough. Otherwise, If you are talking about drinking all the time, then dont
2006-11-16 05:36:48 · answer #2 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I am also floored by all these negative responses you are getting. So many people on here answer breastfeeding questions by pulling an answer out of the air.
HERE IS THE *TRUTH* about alcohol and breastfeeding:
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.”
For each drink you have, you generally need to wait about 2 hours for it to be out of your system. (This varies a little based on your body size, how much food you've had, etc.)
You DO NOT need to "pump and dump" unless you become engorged. Alcohol is eliminated from your milk supply in the same way it is eliminated from your blood. "Pumping and dumping" does absolutely NOTHING to speed the elimination of alcohol from your milk. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk.
A good general rule is, "if your head is clear, your milk is too" or "if you feel sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to nurse."
The links below provide credible, referenced information on this topic.
2006-11-16 08:32:52 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you drink, you should first make sure you have pumped enough breastmilk (before drinking) to get you through about 12 hours. I believe alcohol is out of your system/milk the same as it is out of your blood. They say 1 hour for every drink.
2006-11-16 05:38:17 · answer #4 · answered by Red 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My doctor told me that if I breastfead my baby, then immediately had one drink (one glass of wine), then by the time I feed again (3-4 hours) my body will have processed the alcohol. Your body processes one drink per hour.
If you are going to drink more than that, then you need to pump enough for 12-24 hours before you drink and then pump and dump for the next 12-24 hours.
2006-11-16 05:56:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I was told by my doctor that you should "pump and dump" for at least 8 hours afterwards. more if you drink heavily. But the best option is to avoid alcohol all together. I did once while breastfeeding and I pumped enough for 12 hours before hand and then pumped and dumped it for a whole day afterwards. Just to be safe.
2006-11-16 05:36:44 · answer #6 · answered by lv82 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Oh... why are you drinking?? If you are breastfeeding you shouldn't drink alcohol.
If you dont drink it then you dont have to worry about when its out of your system because its not there to begin with. I'm sure you can hold out until you are done nursing.
2006-11-16 05:29:22 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa 4 · 1⤊ 6⤋
Firstly, a breastfeeding mother SHOULD NOT be drinking alcohol. It would be just the same as drinking while your pregnant, but seeing's how it's too late... the last I heard it was 24 hours.
2006-11-16 05:49:36 · answer #8 · answered by Heather K 1 · 1⤊ 7⤋
Did your doctor tell you not to drink while breast feeding. Do you want to hurt your baby?
2006-11-16 05:30:39 · answer #9 · answered by red1967 4 · 0⤊ 6⤋
When you consume something, there is always a risk that you can give it to your child while you are breastfeeding.
2006-11-16 07:25:26 · answer #10 · answered by 1st time mom 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋