My best friend is getting married on sunday and we are suppose to go out this weekend. Does anyone know if it is okay to have a drink and if I do how long must I wait until my milk is okay to feed the baby? Also I just had a C-section would drinking affect me with that?
2007-03-27 14:23:19 · 14 answers · asked by sweetone 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
not sure about the c-section-my friend was drinking a couple days after she had her baby though--she didnt have any problems/complications with the surgery.
but drinking (one 12 oz beer) is 2 hours--you should pump/feed right before you take the first sip.
You may want to pump ahead, I know the first time I drank-I couldnt stop at one--I pumped ahead for the entire night's feedings and some in the am, just in case.
--a few beers was a much need stress reliever, lol
I was glad I pumped.
Have fun at the wedding.
2007-03-27 14:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by Shellberry 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.”
If you're just going to have one drink, you will only need to wait two hours to nurse again, per Thomas Hale, author of "Medications & Mother's Milk."
Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. A good general rule of thumb is "if your head is clear, your milk is too" or "if you are sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to nurse."
DO NOT let anyone talk you into pumping and dumping. Unless you are uncomfortablly engorged, there is no reason for it. Alcohol is eliminated from the milk the same way it leaves your blood stream. You DO NOT need to pump and dump unless you become uncomfortable. (Which can be avoided by nursing/pumping as close to the time you plan to have your drink as possible. So nurse or pump right before you leave.)
2007-03-27 14:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Once the baby is older than 3 months old, limited alcohol consumption (beer or wine is best) is fine while breastfeeding and you really do not even need to wait. If you are concerned at that time, the best way to time it is this: Feed your baby while you are drinking- it is not in your milk yet. Do not feed your baby within the first two hours after drinking, especially 1/2 an hour after drinking because this is when your milk has the most alcohol in it. This is good for one drink. It generally takes two hours for one glass of wine or one beer to completely leave your system.
This is different for newborns under 3 months of age. Under 3 months, babies' livers are not completely developed and will have a harder time digesting and breaking down the alcohol, leaving it in their system. When my baby was under 3 months, I would have one glass of wine while feeding her, then would give her expressed milk for the next feeding. Didn't want to risk it at such a young age!
You do NOT need to pump and dump to get rid of the alcohol, that is a popular misconception. Alcohol in your breastmilk works just like alcohol in your bloodstream, it will work its way out of your system on its own. The only reason you may want to pump and dump is if you are not bringing the baby with you and you will miss a couple of feedings. In this case, you may want to to keep up with your supply or to rid yourself of discomfort.
Have fun at the wedding!
2007-03-27 14:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by Kellie R 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As long as you aren't drunk your completely fine. The alcohol will be completely diluted by the time it reaches your breasts for production. And, by the time the alcohol even makes it there it will be hours later.
Definately don't express right after you get home. That will be leftovers that have been stored from earlier in the day.
I went out with my girlfriends and would drink a beer and sip on it through the whole night. I've done it with a huge margarita too.
As far as a c-sect I'd just take one drink and make it last as long as possible. The only thing that will affect you is to become drunk. Alcohol after birth is much different! I was surpised how I felt after one drink the next morning.
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.
2007-03-27 14:31:55 · answer #4 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
if it's just one drink, you can continue breastfeeding normally. Just feed or pump before you have the drink and by the time the next feeding comes around you'll be fine. In general, if you're ok to drive, you're ok to breastfeed. If you actually feel drunk you need to wait, usually 12 hours and you'll be fine. I'm assuming if you're going out you're probably not bringing baby with you so just pump and dump if your breasts are uncomfortable and by the time you pick up baby you should be fine. As far as C-section, they only thing you may need to worry about is the painkillers, if you are on percocet you should NOT drink, it can have very dangerous reactions.
2007-03-27 14:33:54 · answer #5 · answered by boo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you truly mean ONE drink such as a glass of wine or one beer, you can still breastfeed when you get home. If you are going to have more than one, "pump and dump"! Go ahead and pump an extra feeding or two this week and then you'll have it stored in case you decide to truly indulge. As far as the C-section, unless you are on an antibiotic for some complication with your incision, the alcohol will not bother it ... unless of course you overindulge and decide to dance ... That could possibly pop a stitch!:)
2007-03-27 14:33:25 · answer #6 · answered by dilligaf 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Umm no Just as long as you dont get trashed youll be ok cause a few drinks will help your blood flow!! and it wont hurt you babe!! and alcahol is out of your systed tobalt after 48 or 72 not shure hours so you can feel then if you get really drunk!!
2007-03-27 14:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by davine 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The alcohol would not affect the fact you just had a C-section unless you are still on pain medications. In that case, don't drink alcohol. As far as the breastfeeding, I think the rule of thumb is to pump and discard the breastmilk for 24 hours once the alcohol wears off. Depends how much alcohol you're talking about. One or two drinks, pump and dump the next day. Pump and store ahead of time, then you'll have breastmilk for baby.
2007-03-27 14:31:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋
It is not a good idea to consume alcohol, while breast feeding. Post operative consumption of alcohol should be avoided. Enjoy the wedding.
2007-03-27 14:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by SwatDoc 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think I waited 2 hours and then expressed my milk... Then I fed her the fresh stuff
2007-03-27 14:28:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋