Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

As a breastfeeding mom, you’ve probably been given your fair share of (unsolicited) advice. Maybe auntie has given you the side-eye watching you drink a glass of wine while breastfeeding, or maybe friends have told you to stop breastfeeding already so you can finally enjoy a night out drinking again.

If you’ve been wondering about the safety of drinking alcohol while nursing, you’re not alone. Many moms want to balance enjoying life’s little pleasures with doing what’s best for their baby. In this post, we’ll dive into the science behind alcohol and breastfeeding, bust some common myths, and share practical tips to help you make informed choices.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

The short answer is yes - in moderation. Alcohol does pass into breast milk, but the amount your baby is exposed to depends on how much you drink and how much time has passed since your last drink. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that occasional, moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe while breastfeeding.

How Alcohol Passes Into Breast Milk

Alcohol enters your bloodstream and breast milk at roughly the same concentration. To put this into perspective, let me explain with an example:

• Let's say you drink a glass of wine (5 ounces), which contains about 12% alcohol by volume. That means you would be consuming about 18 milliliters of pure alcohol.

• Your estimated Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) would be approximately 0.034% shortly after consuming that glass, before your body starts to break it down.

• The alcohol content of your breast milk will also be around 0.034% at its peak, about 30 to 90 minutes after drinking said glass.

• If your baby now consumes 100 milliliters (about 3.4 ounces) of breast milk, your baby will be ingesting 0.034 milliliters of alcohol.

Alcohol peaks in breast milk about 30 to 90 minutes after drinking but begins to decline as your body metabolizes it. Typically, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to clear one standard drink (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits) from your system, though this can vary based on body weight and metabolism.

Mythbuster:

There’s no need to "pump and dump" unless you’re uncomfortable. Pumping and dumping will not decrease the alcohol content of your breast milk as long as you still have alcohol in your system. The only way to completely clear alcohol from your breast milk is for your body to finish metabolizing it (see above). Once alcohol has left your bloodstream, it is no longer in your milk.

Does Alcohol Affect Milk Supply?

Alcohol can temporarily decrease your milk supply. Studies suggest that alcohol inhibits the release of oxytocin - the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex (let-down). This may make it harder for your baby to get milk during a feeding. However, once the alcohol has been cleared from your system, oxytocin levels return back to normal.

One study found that babies drink about 20% less milk in the four hours after a mom consumes alcohol because it alters the taste and reduces milk flow. This doesn’t mean alcohol is harmful to your baby, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you notice changes in feeding behavior.

Mythbuster:

While some believe beer boosts milk supply, evidence shows this is not true. While barley has potential milk boosting effects, the alcohol in beer likely cancels it out.

How Can Drinking Alcohol Affect My Baby?

Alcohol in breast milk is not harmful in small amounts. Research shows that the alcohol concentration in breast milk is roughly that of your blood alcohol content (see calculation above), so the total amount of alcohol your baby is exposed to after you drink a glass of wine is much lower than what is in the drink you're drinking.

However, newborns and young infants metabolize alcohol more slowly than adults, so their exposure can last longer and those small amounts can add up, too.

In fact, several cases have shown negative effects on infants who were breastfeed by mothers who drank excessively and routinely.

Potential effects of alcohol on babies include:

• Drowsiness or irritability

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Inability to suck

• Impaired motor development (with excessive, chronic exposure)

• Excessive weight gain (pseudo-Cushing syndrome)

  
  

Moderation is key. An occasional drink is unlikely to cause any issues, but frequent or heavy drinking is not recommended while breastfeeding and has shown to have negative effects.

Practical Tips

If you decide to drink, here’s how to do it safely:

1. Time Your Drink:

   • Have your drink right after breastfeeding or pumping to allow time for the alcohol to leave your system before the next feeding.

   • Wait at least 2 hours per drink before nursing again.

   • Pumping and dumping will NOT decrease your milk's alcohol content - only waiting to clear it out of your system will do that.

     
     

2. Know Your Limits:

   • Stick to one standard drink at a time.

   • Avoid binge drinking or heavy drinking.

     
     

3. Plan Ahead:

   • Pump and store milk in advance if you plan to drink more than one drink or won’t have time for alcohol to metabolize before the next feeding.

     
     

4. Hydrate and Eat:

   • Eating before or while drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.

     
     

5. Watch Your Baby:

   • If your baby shows unusual drowsiness or other symptoms, consider waiting longer before nursing.

   • Newborns may be more sensitive than older breastfed babies.

     
     

6. Avoid Co-Sleeping After Drinking:

   • If you've consumed any alcohol, ensure your baby sleeps in a safe, separate space like a crib or bassinet.

   • Research shows that parental alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor in many co-sleeping-related accidents.

     
     

7. Consider "Mocktails"

   • The safest bet will always be to just say no to alcohol while breastfeeding. Consider ordering or making your own alcohol-free Mocktails, which are fun and tasty drinks that look like alcoholic drinks without the buzz!

Final Thoughts

As a breastfeeding mom, you don’t have to completely give up alcohol, but moderation and timing are essential to ensure your baby stays safe and happy. By understanding how alcohol affects your body and milk supply, you can make informed choices that work for your lifestyle.

While not drinking any alcohol while breastfeeding is the safest choice, a glass of wine or beer every now and then is likely safe and will not affect your baby or milk supply long-term.

Remember, every mom and baby is different. If you have concerns about alcohol and breastfeeding, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Feel free to leave your thoughts below!

Sources:

• Mennella JA, Beauchamp GK. Alcohol’s effect on lactation: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.1993-0022

• Haastrup MB et al. Alcohol and breastfeeding: A systematic review: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002490

• Little RE et al. Alcohol, Breastfeeding, and Development at 18 Months: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/109/5/e72/64288/Alcohol-Breastfeeding-and-Development-at-18-Months

• Wilson J et al. Alcohol consumption by breastfeeding mothers: Frequency, collelates and infant outcomes: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dar.12473

• Anderson PO. Alcohol Use During Breastfeeding: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/bfm.2018.0053

• CDC Guidelines on Alcohol and Breastfeeding: CDC Breastfeeding

About the Author

This article was written by Marina Lane, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor with a passion for helping moms nourish themselves and their babies. As a mother of two who were both breastfed until age 3, Marina combines professional expertise with personal experience to provide evidence-based advice and support to breastfeeding moms. With her background in nutrition and lactation, she offers practical, science-backed insights to help you navigate your breastfeeding journey with confidence.