How much alcohol can i consume if i am breastfeeding my 6 1/2-month-old son?

Question

would any amount i consume automatically go to the milk that my child is drinking?

how many times would i have to pump out and discard my milk before it is safe for me to feed my baby again?

Answer 1

You do not have to "pump and dump" The alcohol leaves the breast milk at the same rate it leaves your blood. So if you have one drink you're safe to nurse any time. The saying I and many mothers go by are "Sober enough to drive, Sober enough to nurse"

Answer 2

I was told it is safe to drink up to 3 drinks when breastfeeding

Answer 3

1 or two drinks

Answer 4

Yes, NONE. You just will be giving alcohol to your baby. You have to wait at least 2-3 hours after. Here I found something for you.

Can breastfeeding women drink alcohol?

When a nursing mom drinks alcohol, a small amount of it gets into her breast milk.

The amount of alcohol in breast milk depends on the amount of alcohol in the blood. It takes about 2 to 3 hours after consuming one drink for the alcohol to be metabolized and no longer be a concern for nursing.

If you do plan to drink more than a few (preferably after breastfeeding's been established for about a month), you can "pump and dump" — pump your milk and then throw it away. Do not give your baby breast milk, from your breast or a bottle, for at least 2 to 3 hours for every drink of alcohol you consumed.  

Answer 5

if you are ok to drive, you are ok to nurse.  there is no need to pump and dump except for your own comfort.  moderate alcohol use is listed as compatible with breastfeeding by the AAP.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

Answer 6

I believe you should wait 2hrs after each drink you consume- there is no need to pump and dump- but you can if you think its best.  If you plan on having a big night out- wait at least 24 hrs before breast feeding again.  If this is the case just make sure you pump enough milk for the time being.

Good luck

Answer 7

http://www.motherisk.org/women/updatesDe...

Here you go honey, this was given to me by my doctor.  Enjoy yourself, it's okay to drink. the baby will be fine. all mommies need a break.  and you are a responsible grown up so don't let anyone tell you that you cannot drink.  i hope this chart helps you, it helps me a lot.

oh yah, and you don't need to pump and dump, unless you're engorged.  alcohol does not stay in the milk.

Answer 8

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

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

Answer 9

NONE.  Everything you put in  your mouth ends up in your baby  and during the first 2 years the brain of this child is developing.  Alcohol will harm the develoopment of the brain and you could end up with a child who is not the best he can be because you indulged.  If you want to drink, put him on formula so that at least you're not poisoning him.

Answer 10

There is no need to pump and dump. The general rule is if you are sober enough to drive, you can nurse your baby. You can have 1-2 drinks safely.

http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alc...

Answer 11

If you are buzzing, there is alcohol in your milk, although not that much. Once you are sober, the alcohol is no longer in your milk. There is no need to pump and dump.