February 2011 Moms

Breastfeeding Question

Ok, so this might be a stupid question.... but what do you ladies think about drinking alcohol and breastfeeding? I have read different things. Some books say that one glass of wine or one beer would not hurt the baby, but not to binge drink and then breastfeed. Other books say not to drink ANY alcohol while breastfeeding. My friends have told me that when they drink they just "pump and dump". I have also heard about alocohol testing strips for breastmilk.

I promise I am not an alcoholic or anything...LOL. Just wondering what you guys think? TIA

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Re: Breastfeeding Question

  • Personally, I am not going to drink. But, I am sure a glass of wine would be fine.  I just wouldnt drink anything to strong... but this is just my opinion, I am not a dr.

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  • I took a BFing class and the lactation consultant said a drink is fine at night - just nurse the baby right before it so you'll have time for the alcohol to process through your system before it's time to feed again.

    They do have those testing strips (I call them breast-a-lyzers, though I don't know if they have a real name!) and the LC also said never to nurse if you feel tipsy or drunk.

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  • With my first I would sometimes pump and dump if there were a special occasion and sometimes I would have a beer or glass of wine while pumping (never got to breastfeed).  This of course was very classy but my OB told me the best time to drink would be while you are feeding because it won't get in the milk you are expressing and will metabolize before the next "feeding".  Honestly, I didn't really feel like drinking that much but the occasional drink was nice.
  • I think the general rule is if you feel tipsy, don't use that milk to BF (pump and dump).  A beer can be helpful for supply issues, and wine can help you relax if you need to help with that too.  A line of shots?  Probably a bit much.
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  • I would have a glass of wine or a beer at night, especially after putting him down for his nighttime sleep.  If you have a glass right after you nurse, you'll have time to metabolize it so it's not in your breastmilk for the next feeding.  Once he started STTN I had no problem having a cocktail or an extra glass of wine after his bedtime because it would be long gone by the early morning feeding.  I felt confident that as long as I wasn't tipsy, we were all fine.  Having wine with DH was a fantastic treat to feel reconnected with him after not being able to drink during pg and both of us feeling so overwhelmed with a colicky baby.  It was nice.
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  • We just had a class with a lactation consultant.  She said that the alcohol metabolizes in your system, so there's no need to 'pump and dump' in order to drain out the bad milk (although maybe for comfort and to keep up the supply/demand thing)  It's like the alcohol in your blood, it metabolizes...you don't have drain your blood to get rid of it.  She also said that a drink takes about 20 minutes to get into your milk supply and about 1.5 hours after that to get out.  So, about 2 hours for each drink (of course, your size and how much you've eaten affect this).  

    She also said the thing about how the best time to have a drink would be while you are actually breast feeding :)  

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  • I can't see myself being comfortable with drinking until the baby STTN and/or has had solids introduced.  Maybe one here and there.  I actually haven't really minded abstaining during pregnancy, so I can hold out a little longer.
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  • I've read that you can pump and dump or pump/feed before having the drink. 

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  • I posted about this on 3rd tri awhile back and from what I learned there, there is no need to "pump and dump" since the alcohol will metabolize out of your milk just as it does out of your blood. The only reason to pump and dump or hand express would be if you needed to pump due to engorgement.

    Also, following the rule of not BFing when tipsy is good and having a glass of wine isn't going to hurt. Either that or feed your LO prior to drinking anything.

    This was the site I was directed to that has some good information https://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html

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  • I drank while nursing with Kate. I didn't get drunk, but I'd have a glass of wine or two.  I always did it as I was nursing or right after, so there was time for the alcohol to go through my system.  I got drunk a few times and pumped and dumped.
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  • I read that "pump and dump" does not work and it's just a waste. It's best to breastfeed/pump before you drink so that you have several hours between your alcohol ingestion and feeding the baby your milk again. All sources seem to say to stay away from binging (duh) but then vary in terms of how much is okay. Just use your best judgment and rely on previously pumped milk for those times you really want to indulge!
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