Milkscreen-test for alcohol in bm..

flkong · August 2013

I've never heard of this or knew there was a test available to buy that screen for alcohol in bm. The reviews I read were mostly from nursing moms and they highly recommended it and some had it as an item on their shower registry. I must live under a rock because I never heard of it. The pros are you'll know if alcohol is present in your bm and you can determine how long it takes for you to metabolize the alcohol since everyone is different. The cons were that the product is expensive ($16 for 8 test packets, $25 for 20 test packets) and that it's ok to consume 1-2 glasses of wine/beer without adverse effects on the baby. So basically, you don't need to spend this money for an ok to drink 1-2 glasses. I don't mind spending the money so I can know how much I can drink and how long it takes to leave my bm...so, I'm sold. I'm buying it asap.

opheliainwaders · August 2013

I rarely drink more than that, so hadn't bothered to get them, but maybe they'd be useful for events where I'd be drinking and have to pump, to know if the milk is worth storing...

lisamonkee11 · August 2013

I think those test products are stupid. IMHO you should know if you're too drunk to nurse. My LC says if you're too drunk to drive, you're too drunk to nurse. Otherwise you're fine. Such a small amount goes into your milk.
Again just my opinion but I would spend your money elsewhere.

opheliainwaders · August 2013

@skleigh that is fascinating! DD had a rough night's sleep on Sat after I had a margarita, and I'd assumed some cause and effect, but now I'm wondering if it's something else.

flkong · August 2013

Alicia0817 said:

I've heard that the strips are overly sensitive, and people have tested their effectiveness and not been too happy. I think if you search on the breastfeeding board there was a link toa bunch if websites that tested and reviewed the strips and said dont waste your money.

Ok, that's good to know. I looked up reviews to see if they're worth buying and most of them were good. The only con seemed to be the cost and people finding it unnecessary since they're only drinking 1-2 glasses. I'll look on the June board for that post.

flkong · August 2013

skleigh said:

I found this link while lurking June 2013 and it really eased my mind about drinking and BF. So much that I won't even bother with those alcohol testing products. https://biologybrain-simonsays.blogspot.com/2008/12/alcohol-content-of-breast-milk.html?m=1

I just read that link and that's the kind of info I was looking for. I hear the "too drunk to drive/ too drunk to nurse approach. But the truth is, it takes a good deal for me to feel too impaired and it's more than 2 glasses.

Pink724 · August 2013

etoille said:

I have these. I second the whole you know you are too drunk to nurse thing however for folks that have a higher tolerance it could be useful....(me)....and where I found it VERY useful was the 3-4 am feeding. If you've tied one on like dh and I did wed its nice to know if it's left your system several hrs later when you feel sober but it can be borderline

This is when I used them. I had three martinis one night... obviously I wasn't going to nurse at bedtime, but I wanted to know if the MOTN feed would be ok. I felt fine (a bit dehydrated... I didn't miss hangovers while pregnant!), but wanted to make sure my BM was ok. It gave me peace of mind.

LizzieRB · August 2013

skleigh said:

I found this link while lurking June 2013 and it really eased my mind about drinking and BF. So much that I won't even bother with those alcohol testing products. https://biologybrain-simonsays.blogspot.com/2008/12/alcohol-content-of-breast-milk.html?m=1

Thank you for posting this!!

JellyTwoPointO · August 2013

Laurendag said:
They also make formula specifically to supplement BF babies. It's by Enfamil and its called supplement.

I had never seen or even heard of this formula this until I was on Target's website trying to find a price. I was like "wow, that's cool. I should share that." idk how much it is though because it was out of stock so they didn't have the price up.

ETA: I'm so not telling you to buy it or anything, just sharing something I had just found:)

Ugh I call that crap "gateway formula." There's nothing special about it. Formula is formula and if you want to use formula, then have at it! But their deceptive marketing to make money PISSES me off. The reality of breast feeding is that supply will equal the demand. So if you add in formula feedings, thereby breast feeding less often, your breast milk supply will go down. This is why supplementing moms often go full fledged formula eventually because supplementing screws with their existing supply.

flkong · August 2013

Jellybean902 said:

They also make formula specifically to supplement BF babies. It's by Enfamil and its called supplement. I had never seen or even heard of this formula this until I was on Target's website trying to find a price. I was like "wow, that's cool. I should share that." idk how much it is though because it was out of stock so they didn't have the price up. ETA: I'm so not telling you to buy it or anything, just sharing something I had just found:)
Ugh I call that crap "gateway formula." There's nothing special about it. Formula is formula and if you want to use formula, then have at it! But their deceptive marketing to make money PISSES me off. The reality of breast feeding is that supply will equal the demand. So if you add in formula feedings, thereby breast feeding less often, your breast milk supply will go down. This is why supplementing moms often go full fledged formula eventually because supplementing screws with their existing supply.

ITA

Laura723 · August 2013

I love the test strips!!! Alcoholism runs in my hubby's fam so I don't want to give the babe any if I can help it. I EP so I just throw out the milk that tests positive. It's a shame and it breaks my heart to do so since I don't produce enough anyway and supplement, but this mama loves some vino.

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