Is it OK for a mother to drink alcohol after giving birth if breastfeeding?
Is it OK for a mother to drink alcohol after giving birth if breastfeeding?
Answer From Elizabeth LaFleur, R.N. Breast-feeding and alcohol don’t mix well. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby to drink.
Can babies taste alcohol in breastmilk?
Consuming alcohol of any kind may decrease the amount of milk your baby drinks. Alcohol can change the taste of your milk, and some babies may not like it.
Does drinking alcohol affect milk supply?
Studies have shown that alcohol can affect the balance of hormones that control breast milk production (prolactin and oxytocin) and can reduce your supply. Moderate consumption can reduce oxytocin levels affecting milk supply and let down.
Do I need to pump and dump after drinking?
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. 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).
What happens to breast milk after drinking alcohol?
As the mother’s alcohol blood level falls over time, the level of alcohol in her breast milk will also decrease. A mother may choose to express or pump milk after consuming alcohol to ease her physical discomfort or adhere to her milk expression schedule.
What does LactMed® tell us about alcohol consumption while breastfeeding?
In brief, LactMed® [2], a database that contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which those who are breastfeeding may be exposed, offers the following information: “Breastmilk alcohol levels closely parallel blood alcohol levels.
Does pumping and dumping remove alcohol from breastmilk?
Since alcohol is not “trapped” in breastmilk (it returns to the bloodstream as mother’s blood alcohol level declines), pumping and dumping will not remove it. Pumping and dumping, drinking a lot of water, resting, or drinking coffee will not speed up the rate of the elimination of alcohol from your body.
Can I express or pump milk after drinking alcohol?
A mother may choose to express or pump milk after consuming alcohol to ease her physical discomfort or adhere to her milk expression schedule. If a mother decides to express or pump milk within two hours (per drink) of consuming alcohol, the mother may choose to discard the expressed milk.
