Alcohol & Breastfeeding?

[cinnamonbear]

:wave:hi everyone..

just wanting some opions and advice on this topic.

so far i have avoided drinking anything while i am breastfeeding little ella-rose.
even on my birthday i didnt even have one tiny sip

but with christmas fast approaching i would like a small glass of wine with my christmas dinner.. or even a light bear at lunch


ok here my Q's to help me make my decision:

:confused:is it safe to have one tiny drink while breastfeeding ( i wouldnt go overboard) or is it best to just stay away?

:confused:how long does it take for the alcohol to leave the breastmilk?

:confused:i heard a light bear can be good for you milk supply as it has yeast in it?

:confused:has anyone very asked a professional about this matter? if so what was their opinion?

im gettign conflicting information.. im sure i probally will here too.

but any advice opinions woudl be great to help me make my decision..

thanks guys:thumbsup:

[Isaac's Mummy]

I'm still breastfeeding Isaac and in the fourteen and a half months I've been feeding him I've had one drink - and it was at night time when I knew he wouldn't be fed for at least three to four hours, so I'd have time for the alcohol to be absorbed into my system.

My advice - if you're concerned - is to ring the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) - that's what they're there for. You don't need to be a member to ring them and ask them advice. They're experets at what they do though, so will be able to give you ( I would assume) up to date information and statistics on what you can and can't do.

I would assume, though, that one light drink, wouldn't really be too much of a problem. Just make sure you feed Ella before you have a drink, and if you're worried, maybe express a bottle or two before hand as well, so that the alcohol has time to pass through your system before you feed her again - IYKWIM. But yeah - ring the ABA! They're great :D:flowerz:

[forbetoel]

I would have a glass of wine with dinner on occasions and then breast feed my baby.

[Oscar's mum]

The current recomendations are to avoid alcohol completely whilst breastfeeding.

[Mrs Potts]

While it's not ideal, most people I know who have b/f will have a drink immediately following a feed so that there is limited amount in the system when it comes time for the next feed.

Or perhaps express some feeds so that you can have a drink or two and bub won't have to have a drink in that time.

[binchen]

Yep, why not express some milk.
You can keep it in the fridge/freezer for a certain amount of time and have some milk handy when the baby is hungy.
And to be on the safe side - you can express the milk hours after you had your drink and throw it away. Think the baby will not come in touch with the alcohol :yes:.

[HaydensMummy]

i would have a glass and epress a few bottles.
there are also test strips u can buy now that u dip into your breast milk and if there is still alcohol in there then the strip changes colour. i forget what they r caled but they usually sell them in baby stores.

[Sheer Bliss]

The current recomendations are to avoid alcohol completely whilst breastfeeding.

This is only part of the story. Avoiding alcohol is the safest option, but not the only option. See this (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/consult/_files/draft_australian_alcohol_guidelines.pdf) article for the current/proposed (not sure if it has been finalised yet) recommendations. For pregnancy - i'd def avoid, but for breastfeeding - if you know you are not going to feed the baby for a while, it says there is no known harm in having a drink. DD used to sleep 10hrs at night, so i'd have the very occasional drink of wine after she wnt to bed. DS, wakes for a feed when he pleases, still several times a night, so i don't drink anything ATM. If i can't be sure he won't need me, i won't take the risk.

A really nice non-alc drink is half lemonade, half orange juice, in a champagne or martinee glass - it almost tastes like a cocktail!

[confusd]

how long does it take alcohol to leave your milk:

i have been told it takes 1 hour to get fully to your milk and just over an hour to leave (thats 1 standard drink only) ant that was by a lactation consultant and my doctor said the same

also i got given a book from the ABA called breastfeeding naturally (2nd edition, edited by jill day) about alcohol it says :

"the amount a baby recieves if you drink in moderation (one or two standard drinks) is unlikely to harm a healthy baby, although some dont like the taste of the breastmilk after their mother have had an alcoholic drink"

"if you do like the occasional drink, a few feeds of your breastmilk with a tiny amount of alcohol are still better than artificial milk for your baby"


ive had a glass of wine one night and DD woke up early and i didnt have any ebm, it didnt bother her although i did feel a bit guilty. lol

[cmd'smum]

Yep, why not express some milk.
You can keep it in the fridge/freezer for a certain amount of time and have some milk handy when the baby is hungy.
And to be on the safe side - you can express the milk hours after you had your drink and throw it away. Think the baby will not come in touch with the alcohol :yes:.

:iagree: I've freezed some EBM for xmas and new years, so if I want to drink a little, i can w/o feeling guilty! :D

[Sheer Bliss]

Yep, why not express some milk.
You can keep it in the fridge/freezer for a certain amount of time and have some milk handy when the baby is hungy.
And to be on the safe side - you can express the milk hours after you had your drink and throw it away. Think the baby will not come in touch with the alcohol :yes:.

Expressing beforehand so bubs has some milk in case it's needed before you can feed, but throwing away is NOT necessary. It is what we used to be told to do, but research has shown that once the alcohol has left your blood it has also left your milk - so if you have one std drink, then feed baby 3hrs later - there should be NO alcohol left in the milk at all. There is no need to waste precious breastmilk by tipping it out.

[cinnamonbear]

thanks for the advice guys..

i found the alcohol test strips on ebay.. so im goign to order some and give them a try..but i dont think they will amke it here in time for chrissy maybe new year.. if not they will be still of use for the hext special occasion:thumbsup:

maybe ill just buy myself a special non-alcoholic drink for chrissy.


and ill speak with the MACH nurse at her immunisation shots next month.. i never was much of a big drinker so i would survive without the drink..and after all i only want to do what is best for my bubba girl

the ABA says 2-3hours for it to leave the bloodstream..no need to express.