had a beer... question about BFing...

Re: had a beer... question about BFing...

• ginanddavid

  June 2010

  found my answer... fyi:

  Guidelines

  • Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a ?Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.?
  • Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.
  • It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).
  • There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk.
  • Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit let-down and decrease milk production (see below).
  • If you're away from your baby, try to pump as often as baby usually nurses (this is to maintain milk supply, not because of the alcohol). At the very least, pump or hand express whenever you feel uncomfortably full - this will help you to avoid plugged ducts and mastitis.

  In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there is considerable variation from person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same time period, mom's body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.). Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so are your milk alcohol levels.

  Always keep in mind the baby's age when considering the effect of alcohol. A newborn has a very immature liver, so minute amounts of alcohol would be more of a burden. Up until around 3 months of age, infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.

  

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• starlettedir member

  June 2010

  A very good friend of mine had problems with her milk flow. Her lactose consultant told her to drink a yeasty/wheat beer to get the milk flowing.

   

  

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• melrrr

  June 2010

  starlettedir:

  A very good friend of mine had problems with her milk flow. Her lactose consultant told her to drink a yeasty/wheat beer to get the milk flowing.

   

  A lot of people recommend this, but I have also heard that it's more about the alcohol relaxing you than anything else.  

  

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• rayskit10 member

  June 2010

  melrrr:

  starlettedir:

  A very good friend of mine had problems with her milk flow. Her lactose consultant told her to drink a yeasty/wheat beer to get the milk flowing.

   

  A lot of people recommend this, but I have also heard that it's more about the alcohol relaxing you than anything else.  

  i can say from 1st hand experience that i always felt like i was producing extra milk if i drank a dark beer.

  ETA: I would (and have) BF after a beer. Honestly, flame away, but I've been known to sit on the patio at Onion Creek and BF *while* drinking a beer. The rule most of my friends generally follow, supported by the article you posted above, is that if you've been drinking a lot, once you sober up you can BF. 

   

  

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• CareBear01

  June 2010

  You metabolize alcohol in BM the same in your body - so in general, it's typically 1 hour per drink.  I would usually drink right after a feeding (1 drink), and then I would be fine for the next feeding (3 hours later), just to be safe.  Honestly, the amount of alcohol that would come through even during would probalby be so minute.  I would worry about drinking while PG more than drinking while BFing.  You and your baby willl be fine.  :-)

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