If I drink a few beers can I pump some milk and use that until the it flushes out of my system? How long should I wait before I can feed him again with new milk?
2007-12-07 15:24:04 · 16 answers · asked by brinab 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Breastfeeding and Alcohol
By Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC
Guidelines
* 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.
* Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit let-down and decrease milk production (see below).
* 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.
Always keep in mind the baby's age when considering the effect of alcohol. A newborn has a very immature liver, so minute amounts of alcohol would be more of a burden. Up until around 3 months of age, infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.
http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html
2007-12-07 15:31:44 · answer #1 · answered by daa 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Your body is an excellent filter. There is no reason to "pump and dump".
I never did and my babies never had any ill effects from the occasional beer or glass of wine. We're talking once or twice a month, after the baby was about 8 weeks old.
Sure, there are angelic moms who eat nothing but organic food and wouldn't consider even looking at a can of beer. GOOD FOR THEM. I applaud them but I'm afraid that I did not deny myself the occasional drink. I never got really smashed.
I will warn you about something that surprised me. Expect your tolerance to be different, probably much lower. Chances are, it's been awhile. Also, you body has been through a lot, reigning in the pregnancy, birth and now the breastfeeding. You probably don't sleep as well and as long as you did pre-baby.
You have probably noticed that things have changed everywhere. Your ability to absorb alcohol is not immune to all this. Best to eat and drink at the same time (neither is good for weight loss) so be very careful and make the one drink last.
I would also stick to beer and wine. Mixed drinks are probably best avoided. You need more liquids, are prone to be thirsty and you're more likely to "down" them quickly. Make sure that you drink plenty of plain water too. Put them side-by-side like I used to. Alcohol is dehydrating and that could affect your supply. This is more a risk than the alcohol itself on your baby.
While alcohol is dangerous for pregnant women, limited exposure to minute amounts in breastmilk has not been found to be harmful, if it's temporary. You are still giving your baby the best. A breastfed baby whose mother has the occasional drink is still much better off then his formula fed counterpart.
Some judge but in society, there is an attitude that breastfeeding means giving up everything. Motherhood involves a lot of compromise and you're an adult. You can weigh up the risks yourself.
If having an occasional drink means being an imperfect mother, so be it!
2007-12-08 01:25:35 · answer #2 · answered by Eclipsepearl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can! You don't have to pump and dump. If you're concerned, feed the baby right before you have a drink and by the next feeding you will be fine to feed the baby again. Just don't get wasted.
You're not a bad mother for having a drink and I think those who answer questions like this should research and know what they are talking about before they give opinions (which are not based on facts).
2007-12-07 15:36:13 · answer #3 · answered by Janelle H 1 · 9⤊ 0⤋
You can drink 2 beers a day and not worry there is no need to pump and dump for that. If you should drink more you should give him a bottle till the effects on you have totally worn off and then its safe to resume nursing.
2007-12-07 15:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do no longer pump and sell off. it somewhat is a myth! The alchohol will bypass away your milk proper to the comparable time because it leaves your bloodstream. you could bypass forward and pump to alleviate engorgement, yet save it such as you will possibly save a stash on your refrigerator/freezer. there is not any longer something incorrect with eating a rapid mutually as breastfeeding, merely don't get under the impact of alcohol. surely, the beer grants a small strengthen on your grant.
2016-10-10 12:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't need to pump for a couple of beers, seriously just space them out and feed him first! Everyone is so weird about this but honestly it's not such a big deal.
2007-12-07 15:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by liv t 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
i never understand these questions. I mean is having a drink really THAT important? I breastfed both of my children for over a year and NEVER even thought of having a drink for fear of, "what if?" I know there are studies and statistics out there, but really we NEVER know and would you really want to risk it? Even after stopping breastfeeding i could never actually drink to the point of being drunk because of the "what if" factor, what if something were to happen and my child needed me? Accidents happen all the time again you NEVER KNOW. I don't know i guess it is just not for me. I really am not trying to bash anyone that does drink nor do i judge anyone that makes that choice, to each their own, you know what is best for yourself and your child. I personally just don't see the point in it!
2007-12-07 16:00:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
A good rule of thumb, if you are sober enough to drive you are sober enough to BF... only about 2% of alcohol goes into your breast milk, and as soon as it leaves your blood stream it leaves you milk...
2007-12-07 15:31:58 · answer #8 · answered by chichibomba 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You cant be serious.
I love how people think like there milk doesnt come from inside there body. Therefor its ok to drink, smoke, do drugs. Whatever.
2007-12-07 17:12:35 · answer #9 · answered by J. 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You sure can! Pump for the day you're drinking and after or use forumla whatever you want then you can go right back to it
2007-12-07 15:27:05 · answer #10 · answered by Duderoni 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋