If you are BFing, do you drink?

AshleyHJ · June 2013

I am trying to get a handle on what/when/how much I can drink and safely nurse. My DD is almost 4 weeks old. Yesterday I had 1.5 beers between feedings and assumed this was ok? Then I nursed and had one more before the next feeding. All in this was less than three beers over six hours of nursing. I felt completely fine and assume this was ok?

Just wondering everyone's take on drinking and nursing how are you handling?

AliciaR777 · June 2013

My rule is one beer per hour. Anything more than that gets tested first with a strip. The strips are pricey, but worth the peace of mind. They sell them at Target and BRU.

CNJ4EVA · June 2013

I think the general rule is "Okay to drive, okay to BF."

carabear87 · June 2013

I use the strips. Honestly I usually feel fine and without the strips I would have just assumed since I had 1 an hour or felt ok to drive it would be ok. Well the strips showed that there was still alcohol in my milk so I was glad I had them to double check. I also found a site that allows you to type in your weight and how many drinks you have an it tells you how long before its out of your milk. For me it says 1 drink is 2ish hours.

flyliceandcoffee · June 2013

I asked my LC this and she said as long as I don't over do it, I can have a drink or two. If I feel like it's affecting me, then don't feed S from the boob. If I go out and party then yah duh, don't feed. But if I have one beer (she even suggested it since it'll help lessen my stress over BF-ing and the issues we have with it) after my last feeding session or even if I'm still finishing up a drink when S wants to eat it's perfectly fine.

TheyCalledHerKate · June 2013

No, but I didn't drink before I was pregnant either (meaning I only drink a few times a year)

MermaidNM · June 2013

Right now I have sips and had half a margarita. I am a lightweight and with him so young I am extra careful. Once I get a longer stretch at night I will have no problem having a beer after he goes to bed but right now when he goes to bed so do I

jesselayne8 · June 2013

Just had a glass of wine. I keep it to 1 or 2 beers or glasses of wine.

wjv · June 2013

jesselayne8:
Just had a glass of wine. I keep it to 1 or 2 beers or glasses of wine.

Me too

AshleyHJ · June 2013

Thanks to everyone for sharing your perspective. Like everything else with pregnancy and babies, it seems that everyone has a different point of view as to what is ok. I think I will continue with my one or two drinks right after nursing approach but also go ahead and buy the strips!