beers and breastfeeding

JJt9 · December 2010

So I like to have a beer here and there.....usually after or with dinner, perhaps a few times a week. What are your personal theories/rules on drinking when breastfeeding?

I've looked at MULTIPLE resources, La Leche league, AAP, family practice journals etc etc.....Most will say that one (or even two!) drinks are AOK, but I'm curious about the general public's opinion......

aerobaby · December 2010

As long as you don't feel tipsy or drunk then it's OK.... I have had a few drinks while nursing.. and when i start to feel tipsy is when i'll pump and dump.. but it's AOK

Laura_Lee · December 2010

When I was breastfeeding, I would have a beer or two (usually just one though) now and then, but always immediately after a feeding.

bancbev · December 2010

I think a few drinks here and there is fine. If you are ok to drive, you are ok to breastfeed. That being said, I don't really drink anymore. Not because I think it's bad, but because my husband doesn't like it and I want more than one or two!

luckygirl15 · December 2010

I will have 1-2 glasses of wine in between feedings, but (try) to wait at least an hour or so before feeding DS again. Im not too strict with it, so I might not be the best one to ask!!!

JJ1973 · December 2010

I adore beer, so I combined my love for beer with DH's desire to bottle feed LO from time to time! I feel the most comfortable when I have a couple beers immediately after a feeding, and when the following feeding is done by DH with a bottle. That's how I've worked it since LO was about two months. Also, there are little alcohol testing strips I used when I first started figuring this all out. They are pretty sensitive (some say overly sensitive) to alcohol in your breastmilk. When I used them, I was stunned to see alcohol was still in my system several (maybe 3-4) hours later (despite the fact I felt completely sober the entire time after two drinks in two hours). Many on here will say that if you feel okay to drive, it is fine to breastfeed. I've always been a little more cautious than that, given those strips were detecting alcohol when I felt absolutely fine. Though, on occasion, I have had a beer and fed LO an hour later. That is rare.

BaileyDoodle2010 · December 2010

i occasionally drink as well---i will have 1 or 2 and not do anything different with BFing. it all depends on how i feel afterwards. if i feel a bit tipsy and DD wants to eat, i give her a bottle of already expressed milk. then i wait it out and pump later (or sometimes when i am lazy, just wait it out til the next feeding) . i have only been WASTED once....after DD went to bed ( she sttn 11 hours). i got paranoid and gave her bottle in the morning, then pumped, I used the test strips and it was clean. so i generally follow the 1 drink/hour rule of leaving your system if that makes sense.

DreadLoc · December 2010

I'll have a beer every once in awhile immediately following a feeding. Since alcohol metabolizes in BM the same way it metabolizes in blood, there is no need to pump and dump, even if you did get drunk. Once you feel sober again then your BM is perfectly fine.

mrs.kapow · December 2010

I've had a glass of wine or a beer or two now and then, usually after DD goes down for the night so I don't feed until much later.

I did pump once while thoroughly intoxicated (I was hurting) and used the test strips the next morning since I had put it in the fridge. I promptly dumped it after seeing just how drunk my milk was.

They were worth the $$ for that experience, but I generally abide by the "ok to drive, ok to BF" rule.

Dobie_Mama · December 2010

I follow the "sober enough to drive, sober enough to nurse" philosophy.

delg23 · December 2010

aerobaby:
As long as you don't feel tipsy or drunk then it's OK.... I have had a few drinks while nursing.. and when i start to feel tipsy is when i'll pump and dump.. but it's AOK

Just FYI there is no need to dump unless you are engorged. Alcohol leaves your milk like it leaves your blood. So says kellymom.

I have a beer or two.

jennygirlmt · December 2010

luckygirl15:
I will have 1-2 glasses of wine in between feedings, but (try) to wait at least an hour or so before feeding DS again. Im not too strict with it, so I might not be the best one to ask!!!

Pretty much this exactly but it's not often, maybe once or twice a month. I had a friend sort of call me out on it and it made me feel bad, but I really think its ok, and I like finally enjoying a glass of wine with the Hubby after DD is asleep! :-)

ladybug8510 · December 2010

luckygirl15:
I will have 1-2 glasses of wine in between feedings, but (try) to wait at least an hour or so before feeding DS again. Im not too strict with it, so I might not be the best one to ask!!!

Same here!

[Deleted User] · December 2010

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regs19 · December 2010

i usually only drink at night after dd is asleep bc she sleeps at least 8-10 hours so i can have 2 glasses and know i will be completely fine by the time she wakes up.

and honestly unless i was out getting hammered doing shots, i would think after that many hours i am fine.

i have never not nursed bc i had some wine. but totally agree with pp who say sober enough to drive sober enough to nurse

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