Can I Drink Alcohol and Breastfeed?
Can I Drink Alcohol and Breastfeed?
We do not know what level of alcohol exposure is safe for a baby and therefore the advice given is that it is safest not to drink while breastfeeding. However, 1-2 occasional standard alcoholic drinks is not considered to be harmful.
Alcohol levels in a mother’s blood stream are the same as that of their breastmilk. Alcohol starts to be evident in your milk 30-60 minutes after starting to drink. Milk alcohol levels are highest 60-90 minutes after starting to consume alcohol and it is best to wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 standard drink to get rid of the alcohol before breastfeeding. 4 hours for 2 standard drinks and 6 hours for 3 drinks and so on.
It is considered safer to give breastmilk with small quantities of alcohol than to give infant formula.
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How much is a standard drink?
Remember that a standard drink is often smaller than what you may pour yourself at home. A standard drink is equivalent to 10gms of alcohol:
- 100ml of 13.5% wine
- 1x 375ml stubby of mid-strength beer
- 1 x 275ml pre-mixed bottle
- 30ml of spirit
Feed Safe App
The free Feed Safe app is more accurate in determining when your breastmilk should be free from alcohol and safe for your baby to drink. This calculation takes into account body weight, number of standard drinks and time spent drinking.
Should I Pump and Dump?
There is no advantage to pumping and dumping breastmilk to reduce the alcohol content, only time will do this. However, if you miss a breastfeed and are uncomfortably full you should pump and dispose of this milk as the alcohol content will not reduce once expressed.
Plan Ahead:
If you do decide to have a few alcoholic drinks it is important to plan ahead and make sure there is a non-drinker who can care for your baby. It is important to point out that the risk to the baby due to the mother being under the influence of alcohol is higher than that of the alcohol in the breastmilk alone.
It is easier to plan after your baby is 1 month old and your milk supply is established as you will have a better idea of when your baby is likely to want to feed again.
Tips for drinking alcohol when breastfeeding:
- Plan ahead
- Breastfeed immediately before drinking alcohol
- Express some breastmilk before drinking, can do this earlier and freeze
- Choose low alcohol drinks
- Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Eat before and during drinking
- Make sure someone who is not drinking can care for your baby
- Never co-sleep with your baby after you have been drinking alcohol
- Wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 standard drink before breastfeeding
Having up to 2 standard drinks occasionally after your baby is 2 months old is considered safe.
If you drink alcohol more regularly and drink 3 or more drinks you need to know that this is not safe for your baby and is associated with:
- Development delay in reaching expected milestones
- Reduction in milk supply
- Not able to provide safe care for your baby
Alcohol does change the flavour and smell of breastmilk and alcohol can cause your baby to be unsettled or sleepy.
In our culture it is common for alcohol to be served especially at restaurants and parties. As a breastfeeding mother it is good to know that it is probably safe to have an occasional alcoholic drink and follow the guidelines above.
