when would be the best time to drink alcohol if breastfeeding?

Question

Just a little bit, like a small glass or two of wine. The same question for caffeine?
and how much amount of it will actually pass through the milk? does it make the baby dizzy? sleepy? and how will it affect the baby?
I would like a "biological" answer please; I am just curious.

Answer 1

First, the basics:

-Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.”

-Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.

-It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).

-There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk.

-If you're away from your baby, try to pump as often as baby usually nurses (this is to maintain milk supply, not because of the alcohol). At the very least, pump or hand express whenever you feel uncomfortably full - this will help you to avoid plugged ducts and mastitis.

In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. 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 (but there is considerable variation from person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same time period, mom's body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.). Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so are your milk alcohol levels.

You don't have to be a teetotaler while you're nursing, but take it easy. You may find your tolerance for alcohol is lower than it used to be.

Most breastfeeding mothers can drink caffeine in moderation. Some babies, particularly those under 6 months, may be more sensitive to mom's caffeine intake. Babies whose mothers avoided caffeine completely during pregnancy seem to react more to caffeine in mom's diet. Even if baby is sensitive to the caffeine now, he may not be when he's a little older -- so if you do have to stop or limit your caffeine intake, you can try again when baby is older.

Answer 2

a small glass or two isn't going to hurt. just keep a eye on how your feeling, the minute u feel a bit woozy is time to stop. i don't know the exact amount, but my midwife told me that if i feel drunk, so would the baby. but if u just had the odd one, the worst it'll do is make ur baby sleepy! i don't know if ur mum did this, but when i was screaming my head off or teething when i was a baby mum would rub a lil bit of whiskey on my gums to settle me (can't stand the stuff now tho!) and i'm guessing the same theory applies to breastfeeding and have a little. i know this wasn't exactly the answer you were looking for, but i hope it helped. and hey, if u were worried about the effects on your baby, you could always pump and dump...which i see someone else has already explained so won't bore you with it again.

Answer 3

I'm breastfeeding, and when I want to drink I let my husband feed him with formula from a bottle and I pump the contaminated milk and discard it. I switched to de-caf tea and coffee but only because of the mega thirst that comes with breastfeeding made me drink loads of the stuff and I thought it would be better to switch.

Answer 4

I read on le letche league that 1-2 glasses is fine to drink, but not all the time and you dont have to pump and dump.> Your milk is NOT contaminated. As soon as you feel sober your milk is ok to breastfeed, I always wait a cpl hours before I do though just to make sure.

Answer 5

I wouldn't drink any type of alcohol until you are completely finished breastfeeding you baby. Caffeine, my Dr. told me that if you were a soda drinker then you can't cut it all out, it will throw your body into a shock, i would limit myself to one cup of coffee or soda a day.

I am not sure how the will be effected by it, but i wouldn't do it. alcohol that is

Answer 6

Use the pump n dump technique. You should not give your child your milk for 24 hours after drinking. Keep a supply of milk in the freezer so you can have the opportunity to enjoy special occasions in which a drink or two is in order. During the 24 hours you are not nursing, just use your pump instead and dump out what you produce.

Answer 7

we talked about this at parentcraft with my first. they advised to express and store a couple of breastfeeds before drinking as everything you eat/drink, the chemicals and stuff thats in it will pass through the breats milk (i got the impression she wasnt just talking small amounts either). anyway after sleeping of having a dring express your milk (a feeds worth or so) and throw away you should be alright after that. unfortunately i cant give you the full facts and figures only advice we were given at parentclasses by midwives.

Answer 8

Well because you could have to breastfeed your baby at anytime i dont actually think you should be drinking at all!? The alchohol will pass through your milk an into your baby. Maybe im wrong an you can have a glass of wine. You'd prob be better asking your health visitor or midwife as they would no better than us lot!! x

Answer 9

Never is the best time to drink while breast feeding. I'm not sure on the time it takes to pass through the body, but it will go through your milk. Some mothers have a breast pump for this reason, so they can pump a days supply of milk over a week or two, then freeze/fridge it and then use that for the day after they've had a glass or two.
Speak to your health vistor about it, they should know the times etc

Answer 10

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

i cannot believe the crap answers here!

ONLY Granolamom is correct at this point

NO need to pump and dump......alcohol will metabolize out of your system ......out of your breasts as well just like blood content

it is completely and totally safe and acceptable to have a glass of wine and then nurse a couple of hours afterwards

i just wanna roll my eyes at those that are giving you grief and telling you to pump and dump