Beer And Breastfeeding: What's Safe?

Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding is a topic that has been widely researched, and opinions vary over the amount of alcohol that is safe for a breastfeeding mother to consume. While it is generally agreed that drinking small amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding won't harm your baby, the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on breast milk are still unknown.

Alcohol passes freely from a mother's bloodstream into her breast milk, with levels peaking around 30-60 minutes after consumption. The more alcohol consumed, the longer it takes to leave the breast milk, and the more likely it is to interfere with the let-down reflex, resulting in the baby receiving less milk.

Some sources suggest that drinking alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding is fine, while others recommend abstinence. The general consensus is that it is best to avoid alcohol altogether, but if you do choose to drink, it is important to wait until the alcohol has left your breast milk before nursing your baby.

Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding is safe in moderation

The more alcohol consumed, the longer it takes to clear the mother's body. Alcohol passes freely into breast milk and has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, and 60 to 90 minutes when drunk with food. It is recommended to wait at least two hours after drinking one standard drink before breastfeeding your baby. The more you drink, the longer you should wait.

If you are regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol, this could harm the baby. Alcohol abuse can affect the baby's weight gain and cause abnormal weight gain, drowsiness, deep sleep, and weakness. It can also affect the mother's milk supply, as alcohol inhibits the milk ejection reflex.

If you are concerned about the effects of alcohol on your baby, you can express and store breast milk ahead of time to use while the alcohol clears from your system. Alternatively, you can wait until the alcohol has cleared from your system to breastfeed. If your breasts become full while waiting, you can hand express or pump and discard the milk to relieve discomfort.

It is important to note that drinking to the point of intoxication is not advised, and it is recommended to avoid bed-sharing with your baby if you have been drinking, as your natural reflexes will be impaired.

Alcohol can pass into breast milk

The common practice of pumping the breasts and then discarding the milk immediately after drinking alcohol does not hasten the disappearance of alcohol from the milk. As long as the mother has substantial blood alcohol levels, the milk will also contain alcohol. Peak alcohol levels in the mother's blood and milk occur approximately 30 to 60 minutes after drinking and decrease thereafter. Therefore, lactating women should not nurse for several hours after drinking until their blood alcohol levels have declined.

The effects of alcohol exposure through breast milk on infants are not yet fully understood. However, studies have found that breastfed infants consumed 20% less breast milk during the 3 to 4 hours following their mothers' consumption of an alcoholic beverage. This was not because the infants nursed for shorter periods of time, but because maternal alcohol consumption reduced the amount of milk produced. Exposure to alcohol in mothers' milk has also been found to disrupt the infants' sleep-wake patterns and motor development.

To minimise the amount of alcohol an infant is exposed to, it is recommended that mothers wait at least 2 hours after consuming one alcoholic drink before breastfeeding. If the mother cannot wait to feed her infant, she can feed previously expressed milk.

Drinking alcohol may reduce milk supply

It is important to note that there is no evidence of harmful effects on babies when breastfeeding mothers drink no more than one alcoholic drink per day. However, drinking alcohol while nursing is a topic that has received conflicting advice and opinions. While drinking in moderation is generally considered safe, it is crucial to understand the potential impact on milk supply and the infant's well-being.

Alcohol can affect the balance of hormones, prolactin, and oxytocin, which play a crucial role in controlling breast milk production and the milk ejection reflex. Studies have shown that even a small amount of alcohol, such as a single beer or glass of wine, can disrupt the balance of these hormones in breastfeeding women. This disruption may lead to a decrease in milk supply and the possibility of decreased milk ejection reflex, resulting in the infant consuming less milk.

Research has found that babies tend to get about 20% less breast milk if they nurse within the first four hours after the mother consumes alcohol. This reduction in milk intake may have implications for the baby's growth and development. Additionally, alcohol abuse or excessive drinking by the mother can result in slow weight gain or failure to thrive in the infant.

The immediate effects of alcohol on milk production and delivery subside as the alcohol leaves the mother's system. However, chronic alcohol use or heavy drinking can potentially lead to a lower milk supply overall and may have more significant consequences for the infant.

It is worth noting that the effects of alcohol on milk supply and the infant's health are dose-dependent. The more alcohol consumed, the longer it takes for the body to clear it, and the greater the potential impact on the baby. Therefore, it is generally recommended to wait for at least two hours after drinking one alcoholic beverage before breastfeeding again.

While occasional light drinking while breastfeeding has not been shown to have adverse effects, it is best avoided until the baby is over three months old. Planning ahead and expressing milk before drinking alcohol can help ensure the baby receives adequate nutrition.

Alcohol can affect a baby's sleep

It is well-known that alcohol can affect adults' sleep, but what about babies? Can alcohol consumed by breastfeeding mothers affect their baby's sleep? The short answer is yes.

Alcohol can pass into breast milk and then into the baby when they feed. While an occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby, drinking above the recommended limits can be harmful. Excessive alcohol consumption can decrease your milk supply and cause sleep, growth, and developmental problems for your baby.

Research has shown that infants exposed to a significant amount of alcohol through breast milk spend less time in both active and total sleep. Their REM sleep is also disrupted, and they are less active when they are awake. These effects can last up to 24 hours after exposure to alcohol.

To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. If you do drink, it is recommended to wait at least 2 hours after having a drink before breastfeeding to allow the alcohol to leave your breast milk.

If you are planning on drinking, it is important to plan ahead. Breastfeed your baby right before you plan to drink, and have expressed milk ready to go in the fridge or a cooler bag if your baby needs to feed before the alcohol has cleared your system.

Remember, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to breastfeeding, and the effects on your baby are directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant is not advised

Alcohol can cause damage to an unborn child, and while the risks of consuming alcohol while breastfeeding are not as well defined, it is important to be aware of the potential impact on your baby. The effects of alcohol on your baby are directly related to the amount you ingest. When you drink alcohol, it passes into your breast milk in approximately the same concentration. These concentrations peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption and then start to drop as your body breaks down the alcohol.

If you are drinking alcohol, it is recommended to wait until your body has completely metabolized the alcohol before nursing your baby again. The time it takes for alcohol to clear your system depends on your body weight and the number of drinks consumed. For example, a 130-pound woman who drank one glass of wine at 8 pm would need to wait about two hours and 24 minutes before nursing again.

It is important to note that drinking alcohol can also affect your milk supply. Studies have found that babies nurse more frequently when their mother has consumed alcohol, but they take less milk in the 3-4 hours after an alcoholic beverage is consumed. Additionally, alcohol can inhibit the milk ejection reflex, further reducing the baby's milk intake.

If you choose to drink alcohol while pregnant, it is crucial to do so in moderation and plan ahead. Breastfeed your baby before consuming any alcohol, and have expressed milk ready to feed your baby before the alcohol has cleared your system. Remember that the more alcohol you consume, the longer it takes for it to clear your system.

In summary, while occasional moderate drinking while pregnant is not considered harmful to your baby, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and plan accordingly to ensure your baby's safety.

Frequently asked questions