NO SAFE LIMIT OF ALCOHOL!
Alcohol is harmful:
It can be difficult sometimes when going out to special occasions and everyone around you are having a good drink and you’re the only one in the group who is unable to drink because you’re breastfeeding. Being afraid of a range harmful effects alcohol can cause in an infant including sleep pattern disruption and affecting early development of child.
Well, alcohol does pass through into breast milk therefore, it is highly recommended to that alcohol should be avoided in lactating women especially in the 1st month after delivery.
But, what happens if you do want to drink?
However, if you do choose enjoy a nice drink with friends, it is still okay after the 1st month of delivery. (1) The safest is to plan ahead of time, so calculate when your child needs to be fed and pump out breast milk in advance before you start drinking. (2)
There is a very strong misconception that expressing breast milk can reduce the amount of alcohol remaining in the breast milk. (3) Only time will reduce the amount of alcohol present in the breast milk. (2) So, make sure you don’t drink more than 2 standard drinks a day as alcohol as it does take approximately 2 hours for an average women to metabolise 1 standard drink hence 4 hours for 2 drinks etc. and excessive alcohol intake may affect breast milk production. (1)
Therefore, NOT DRINKING is the SAFEST option as there is no safe limit. Otherwise, DRINK RESPONSIBLY at your own risk!
For more information, have a look at the following link from Mothersafe: https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/migration/Mothersafe/documents/Alcoholbreast17.pdf
Feel free to leave any comments if you have any questions regarding alcohol use during lactation! 🙂
Are you struggling with any alcohol problems and need support?
Contact:
- Parentline : 1300 301 300
- Counselling Online : 1800 888 236
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline : 1800 882 436
Also consult with your healthcare professional.
References:
- Mothersafe. Alcohol Consumption in breastfeeding. [Internet] 2014. [updated 2014 May; cited 2019 April 30]; Available from:
https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/migration/Mothersafe/documents/Alcoholbreast17.pdf - Australian Breastfeeding Association. Alcohol and Breastfeeding. [Internet] 2018. [updated 2018 Sep; cited 2019 April 30]; Available from: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/system/files/ABA_Alchohol_BF%2520for%2520website.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol. [Internet] 2018. [updated 2018 Jan 28; cited 2019 April 30] Available from:
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/vaccinations-medications-drugs/alcohol.html
Helping Mothers 