Will drinking alcohol while breastfeeding dry you up?

Question

I am just wondering the effects of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.. I know I should pump afterwards.. but will it dry me up?

Answer 1

No, in fact, when I was in nursing school, we would give lactating moms a beer because it increased their milk production. Now, they don't recommend drinking alcohol and breastfeeding, though the lactation consultants I work with say that social drinking every now and then without pumping is OK. You won't 'dry up' unless the baby doesn't nurse as often, or you aren't pumping as often. It's a supply and demand type of system; you nurse (or pump) more, you make more. You nurse less, you make less.

Answer 2

Do not listen to these people on here... they are out of control assuming you are binge drinking and feeding your child. Seriously, they need to get a grip. It is perfectly acceptable to have a few glasses of wine or a few beers. Make sure you pump before hand and have some milk on hand for when the baby gets hungry or wait a few hours. I do not think a few drinks will dry up your breast milk but I would check with your doctor. Good luck.

Answer 3

Alcohol is metabolized and runs through your bloodstream, so the baby doesn't get any affects of the alcohol. However, alcohol DOES cause dehydration, so your milk supply could be a little less than it usually is. Drink plenty of water if you MUST drink.

Also, you shouldn't sleep in the same bed as your baby (if you co-sleep) the night you drink since you will be somewhat intoxicated (even if you feel like you're "OK")..you might roll over the baby while you're sleeping.

Answer 4

Your baby will sleep all night. I would think one drink wouldn't affect your milk but a reminder alcohol doesn't leave your system right away. A suggestion would you use formula as a food source for 24 hours following.

Answer 5

No. But drink lightly, and be sure you have at least another two hours before you feed your child again, or the alcohol will get in your milk.

If this is not possible, have a bottle of expressed milk pumped before you begin drinking.

Never breastfeed when you feel "buzzed."

Answer 6

I've read several breastfeeding books. All the information I've read said that it'll make you feel fuller (like you have more milk), but it actually decreases your milk. no, it shouldn't dry you up, but it will affect your milk flow.

Answer 7

the best way to be able to drink alcohol and breastfeed is thus:
pump about a days worth of extra milk, put it in the fridge. now you can drink. it's bad for the baby if you drink and let the baby drink the milk that was in your body while you were drinking. i dont know why exactly, but i know it's bad.

Answer 8

i don't think so but i think it does pass thru into the milk. If you drink try to time it right after feeding and if possible pump the milk after drinking alcohol and get rid of it so you don't give it to the baby.

I think beer is supposed to increase the volume of the breast milk. so YOu may become engorged after drin gking beer.

Answer 9

any milk you produce for probably the next 16-30 hours will have alcohol in it so you will be giving your baby alcohol. not the smartest idea unless you pump enough to get you through until the alcohol is out. i have never heard of alcohol drying you up though its fine as long as its not a very constant thing which in turn would be bad both for you, your supply, and the baby.

Answer 10

I was told by a pediatrician that anything you drink or eat will more that likely go through your system and your child will drink it through your breast milk....so don't do it or else your child can suffer from alcohol poison