Breastfeeding & Drinking

[SoonerTexan]

We've never been huge drinkers, but I have to say I'm looking forward to the occasional glass of wine or bottle of beer...so how does this work with breastfeeding?

I know I can pump & dump later, but "the plan" is to exclusively breastfeed the first month or so before we start working in the bottle in preparation for me going back to work.

Any advice?

[HouseofWool]

I abstained at first, until the kids were bigger (several months old?). Then, I would have the occasional glass of wine right after a feeding. I didn't pump and dump unless I was intoxicated, which did not happen. We never had any problems. YMMV

[GreyhoundsRUs]

The lactation consultant for the hospital said if you have a glass or so at a party or whatever, not to even worry. Currently, though, I'm not really even looking forward to drinking. Also, keep in mind the dehydration aspect, too!!

[scrub-jay]

My LC told me that you don't need to pump and dump...if the alcohol is out of your blood, it's out of your milk.

[GrayMatterWife]

I wouldn't worry about it. A drink here and there is not going to harm the baby via the breastmilk. Eating super spicy or oniony foods, however, can affect the taste of breastmilk. Or so I've been told. I don't know--my kids eat everything.

[ladymoreta]

Yeah, it's almost never necessary to pump and dump. Basically, it metabolizes out of your breastmilk at the same rate as it metabolizes out of your blood. So, if you feel tipsy, don't nurse. As soon as you don't feel tipsy anymore, you can nurse without doing anything.

I never did anything differently if I just had one glass of wine, even nursing while finishing my glass from dinner. If I had more than that, I kind of used the rule of waiting one hour per drink, although that varies based on how your body processes it.

The only time to 'pump and dump' is if you actually get drunk. Otherwise, it's perfectly fine to have a glass or 2.

[Michele]

Yep, metabolizes out of milk at the same rate as blood. Milk alcohol level is the same as blood alcohol level.

[SoonerTexan]

Sweet!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Excellent question, ST! Glad you asked!

[Thirteen]

Yep, metabolizes out of milk at the same rate as blood. Milk alcohol level is the same as blood alcohol level.

This.
If you are worried, however, they sell test strips.
Our MO is to wait 2 1/2 hrs post consumption to feed. Or, I'll feed and then put him down at night/immediately pour a glass.

I don't think I had any alcohol until he was 3 months because trying to time it with on-demand feeding never worked.


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[spotty_dog]

I go by the adage, if you're safe to drive you're safe to nurse. And the peak of alcohol content in your blood/milk doesn't come until 30 minutes after you have a drink, so *while* you're nursing is actually one of the best times to drink. I was a smidge more cautious with the first few weeks (visions of a totally virgin tiny little liver). I would just have a half drink or so during that time, not enough to get drunk but enough to enjoy the flavor that I'd been missing.

[SoonerTexan]

I didn't even want to venture on Baby Center, etc. with this one.

[Deebs]

I always would have a glass of wine immediately after nursing, so that I felt confident there was a big window of time before the next feeding.