going to be drinking when can i breast feed again?

Question

i am going to a wedding so i know i am going to be drinking and having a few ciggs. i am breast feeding. how long do i have to wait until all that crap is out of the breast milk. and no being good is not an option. lol

Answer 1

If you can drive, you can breastfeed.
If you can't drive, wait until you feel sober, and you can breastfeed.
No need to pump and dump, just be responsible, don't get wasted.

That's what I've heard from most doctors, nurses and lactation consultants.

Answer 2

Alcohol will enter your breast milk, but doesn't just stay there. It is metabolized from breast milk at the same rate as it is metabolized from your blood. That means about 1 drink per hour. Peak alcohol levels will be reached about 60-90 minutes after you begin drinking. One drink is defined as 10 oz of beer, 4 oz of wine, or 1 oz of hard liquor (although some definitions include 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, and 1 oz of hard liquor, but best be be conservative). There's no need to pump and dump to remove the alcohol, the only reason to pump and dump would be to maintain your supply. If a feeding time will fall when you have alcohol in your system you may want to prepare ahead of time by pumping enough milk to cover any feedings, or supplement those feedings with formula. The best rule of thumb is that if you can feel the alcohol in your system--that is, if you are buzzed--then give your body more time to metabolize the alcohol and find an alternate feeding method. And of course, find a sober sitter for the baby, and if you are co-sleeping don't sleep with the baby after you have been drinking because your risk of rolling onto the baby is increased.

Answer 3

I've actually heard that its not a big deal and that it doesn't get into the breast milk like that. If your bothered by it, it takes an hour per every drink you had to get out of your system. So if you had 3 drinks wait 3-4 hours before breastfeeding.

Answer 4

Why is being good not an option? Pump and refrigerate some breast milk for a few days before the wedding and feed that to your baby for a while. I have no idea how long it would take for all the alcohol and nicotine to pass out of your system but it is definitely not good for your baby.
I really hope you don't smoke around your baby. My parents smoked around me and my sister when we were children and we both spent our childhoods constantly sick with respiratory problems. I think of all the stuff I missed being sick and when I see parents puffing away right next to their kids it really makes me angry. Sorry, and I'll get off my high horse for now.

Answer 5

You will want to pump or express the milk and discard for a few feeding following the adventure. My doctor always said not to worry too much because once upon a time people didn't pay attention to these issues anyway... he would laugh and say how the baby might sleep better if he got some anyhow (just as a joke of course)... Have a good time, you deserve it - I would pump and dump for 12 hours before nursing again...

Answer 6

I read that as long as you do not feel the effects of the alcohol it is safe to feed the baby again. Although you will probably need to pump so you do not get engorged or decrease your milk supply.

Answer 7

I think pumping some milk in advance is a great idea. That way you'll know you are giving your baby good like that is alcohol free.

Answer 8

OK THIS IS COMING FROM A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN BREAST FEEDING FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS...... everytime i have had some drinks...(not no champaigne hard liquor) it didnt do anything to my daughter she is actually very smart for her age.....but she didnt get diarhea or spittin up or nothin like that she was fine....so i say go for it....oh i didnt wait either like when she was ready to eat i fed her sooooo for me alchohol doesnt effect my brest milk

Answer 9

Do the formula. I never breast fed my kids. They grew up just fine. 22 yr old girl @ 5'10" and 20 yr old son @ 6'7". Both are smart and have been very healthy.

Answer 10

Stop breastfeeding forever now if you don't respect your child enough to "be good". A drink is not a problem, and you could wait 2-3 hours after, but skip the cigs. That is just nasty to put into your body, especially when you are breastfeeding.

EDIT:
Sorry if I came across as harsh. There was really no need to email me a personal message to be rude to me. My reply above was NOT meant to be rude and nasty. It was to be in support of your daughter who cannot stand up for her own rights and to educate you and other readers here. Children have the right to not be exposed to the nasty chemicals in cigarettes and if an adult is not going to stand up for the child, who will?

I have been breastfeeding for over 9 years total. I have done without some medicines and chose more natural methods to protect my nurslings. There are few studies done on the effects on nurslings and I am not willing to chance it, even once. I don't feel it is my right to chance it.

If you don't respect my opinion, please go to LLL (go to this website, if in the US, to find a group nearest you http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html) or their website www.lalecheleague.org or do a simple search on the internet (I searched smoking drinking breastfeeding on google and found lots of info). You will find that this is NOT recommended (smoking) while breastfeeding. While there is no "research" that it is going to cause harm, why would you take that chance?

Mothers need to stop relying on info from others and they need to educate themselves. Please do a simple internet search and you will find the BEST replies. As I stated above, alcohol is the LEAST worrisome; smoking is another story. Please educate yourself!

Here is an example of just one page that answers ALL of your questions!

http://www.drugs.com/cg/effects-of-smoking-alcohol-and-medicines-on-breastfeeding.html

Scientists have found that nicotine spreads throughout your body when you smoke, and has also been found in breast milk. This means that you are feeding your baby this harmful chemical if you use nicotine during the time that you are breast feeding.

Cigarette smoking may reduce the amount of milk your body makes. The fat content of your milk may also be reduced. Both of these side effects of smoking may cause your baby to gain weight too slowly. Smoking may also cause you to have to stop breast feeding (wean) earlier than you wanted to.