Breastfeeding And Beer: How Long Should You Wait?

It is generally recommended to wait at least two hours after drinking beer before breastfeeding. This is because alcohol can be detected in breast milk for about two to three hours after a single drink, and this duration increases with the number of drinks consumed. For example, two drinks may require a wait time of four to five hours, while three drinks may require six to eight hours. It is important to note that these durations are just estimates, and the time it takes for alcohol to clear the body varies depending on individual factors such as body weight and metabolism.

How long does alcohol stay in breast milk?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is ideal to avoid drinking while breastfeeding. However, moderate alcohol consumption (up to one standard drink per day) is generally considered okay. The amount of time alcohol stays in breast milk depends on several factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, how quickly it was consumed, whether it was consumed with food, and the individual's body weight and metabolism.

On average, it takes about two to three hours for alcohol to clear from breast milk after a single drink, with the highest levels occurring 30 to 60 minutes following consumption. However, this duration can vary from person to person and may be longer for those who consume multiple drinks. For example, two drinks may require a wait time of four to five hours, while three drinks may require six to eight hours, and so on.

It is important to note that alcohol can be detected in breast milk as long as it is still present in the bloodstream. Pumping and dumping will not remove alcohol from breast milk, as it returns to the bloodstream as blood alcohol levels decline. Therefore, the only way to reduce alcohol levels in breast milk is to allow time for the body to metabolize it.

To minimize the risk of adverse effects on the nursing child, it is recommended to wait until the alcohol has completely cleared from the breast milk before breastfeeding. This typically occurs when the individual feels "neurologically normal" and no longer experiences any signs of intoxication.

Is it safe to drink while breastfeeding?

Recommendations

The safest option while breastfeeding is to abstain from drinking alcohol. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate alcohol consumption (up to one standard drink per day) is generally considered okay. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC recommend waiting to nurse at least two hours after your last drink. This is because alcohol can typically be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours after a single drink is consumed. The length of time alcohol can be detected in breast milk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

If you are drinking more than one standard drink, it is recommended to wait longer than two hours. For example, three drinks may require a wait time of six to eight hours.

Risks

There are some risks to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding for both infants and breastfeeding parents. Research has shown that the concentration of alcohol in breast milk is similar to that in the blood. A study found that an infant consumes about 6% of the alcohol the breastfeeding parent consumes, adjusted for weight.

Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding can also affect the breastfeeding parent's judgment and ability to care for their child. It can also increase the time it takes to push out milk, also known as "let-down" or "milk ejection".

Effects on the infant

Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding can have several negative effects on the infant, including:

• Sleep disturbances, including shorter sleep periods, more frequent wakefulness, and less total active and REM sleep.
• Decreased milk intake by the baby.
• Impaired immune function.
• Delay of motor development.
• Potential impairment of cognitive development.
• Reduction in the ability for abstract reasoning at school age (6-7 years).
• Trouble gaining weight.
• Developmental and neurological problems.

Tips for drinking while breastfeeding

If you choose to drink alcohol while breastfeeding, here are some tips to stay safe:

• Consider the type of alcoholic drink and the number you are having. The alcohol volume in a glass of wine and a shot of tequila, for example, are not the same. If you are planning to have multiple drinks, ensure your baby has enough bottled breast milk or formula and a sober caregiver.
• Eat beforehand and stay hydrated. It is important to drink alcohol after eating, as your body absorbs alcohol through the stomach and small intestine. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as alcohol is dehydrating.
• Consider the baby's age and feeding schedule. Try to work around the baby's feeding schedule and time your drink accordingly.
• If you are drinking more than one standard drink, wait longer than two hours before breastfeeding.

How long after drinking alcohol can I breastfeed?

Most medical authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend waiting to nurse for at least two hours after your last drink. This is because it takes around two hours for the average adult to metabolise one drink. However, this is just a general guideline and the time it takes for alcohol to leave your breast milk will vary from person to person. It depends on factors such as your body weight, how much alcohol you consumed, how quickly you drank, and whether you consumed alcohol with food.

Alcohol can typically be detected in breast milk for about two to three hours after a single drink. However, the length of time alcohol can be detected in breast milk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. For example, two drinks may be detected for about four to five hours, and three drinks for about six to eight hours.

If you want to reduce the amount of alcohol in your breast milk, you can try breastfeeding your baby immediately before drinking any alcoholic beverage, or pumping and saving your milk. It is also recommended to eat before and stay hydrated when consuming alcohol.

Research has shown that large amounts of alcohol can be harmful to an infant who is breastfeeding. Some evidence suggests that one or more drinks per day can negatively impact an infant's growth, motor function, and sleep patterns. Drinking alcohol can also delay a mother's letdown and breast milk flow, and may decrease her milk supply.

Signs that a baby has consumed alcohol through breast milk include an increase in crying, drowsiness, lethargy, sickness, nausea, vomiting, and trouble sleeping.

If you ever feel that your alcohol consumption is too high or that it's interfering with your ability to breastfeed, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help evaluate your habits and support you in making changes for your health and well-being, as well as your baby's.

What happens if my baby drinks breast milk with alcohol?

It is important to note that drinking alcohol while breastfeeding can have adverse effects on the baby. The alcohol consumed by the mother passes freely into her breast milk, with levels of alcohol in breast milk similar to those measured in the maternal blood. The amount of alcohol ingested by the baby is estimated to be 5% to 6% of the weight-adjusted maternal dose.

If a baby consumes breast milk containing alcohol, they may experience an increase in crying, drowsiness, lethargy, sickness, nausea, vomiting, and trouble sleeping. Research has shown that drinking alcohol while breastfeeding can impact the baby's sleep and reduce the amount of time they spend sleeping. In addition, continued long-term exposure to alcohol in breast milk could negatively affect the baby's growth, cognition, and development. This is because newborns have immature livers that cannot metabolize alcohol efficiently. Some of the potential long-term consequences of consuming alcohol-containing breast milk may include delayed development, impaired immune function, weakness, and decreased weight gain.

The effects on the baby depend on the amount of alcohol consumed by the mother and the timing of breastfeeding after alcohol consumption. The more alcohol the mother drinks, the longer it takes for the alcohol to clear from her system and the breast milk. It is recommended that mothers wait at least two hours after consuming one drink before breastfeeding. If the mother consumes multiple drinks, the wait time increases, with three drinks requiring a wait time of six to eight hours.

It is important to note that the effects of alcohol on the baby are not limited to direct consumption through breast milk. Alcohol can also impair the mother's judgment and ability to care for the child safely. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the hormones that regulate milk production and the milk ejection reflex, resulting in a decreased milk supply.

What are the risks of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding?

While drinking alcohol while breastfeeding is generally not recommended, having the occasional drink is not known to be harmful to the infant. However, drinking alcohol while breastfeeding does carry some risks for both the infant and the breastfeeding parent.

Risks for the infant

• Sleep disturbances: Research has shown that infants exposed to alcohol through breast milk experience shorter sleep periods, more frequent wakefulness, and less total active and REM sleep in the three-hour period after consuming alcohol. Increased REM sleep can also occur in the period from 3.5 hours to 24 hours after exposure.
• Decreased milk intake: Alcohol can interfere with the hormones that influence the milk ejection reflex, resulting in a delay in milk ejection and reduced milk intake for the baby.
• Impaired immune function: Exposure to alcohol through breast milk can impair the infant's immune function.
• Delayed motor development: Regular exposure to alcohol in breast milk has been associated with decreased motor development in infants.
• Potential impairment of cognitive development: While the possible long-term effects of alcohol in breast milk are still unknown, some studies have suggested that exposure to alcohol can impact a child's cognitive development.
• Reduction in ability for abstract reasoning at school age: One study found that heavier maternal alcohol consumption was associated with dose-dependent reductions in abstract reasoning at ages 6 to 7 years in children who were breastfed.
• Other effects: Large amounts of alcohol can cause drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in the infant.

Risks for the breastfeeding parent

• Altered judgment: Alcohol impairs judgment and can compromise the safety of the child.
• Delayed milk ejection: Alcohol increases the time it takes to push out milk, also known as "let-down" or "milk ejection".
• Decreased milk production: Alcohol can interfere with hormones that influence milk production, resulting in reduced milk supply.
• Risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Drinking alcohol and bed-sharing have an increased association with SIDS.

Frequently asked questions