12/27/2023
Repost from
There is SO much misinformation when it comes to alcohol and breastfeeding.
Here are some FACTS 👇🏼
〰️ Less than 2% of alcohol reaches your blood and milk.
〰️ Alcohol peaks in your blood+milk approx. 30-90mins after drinking. {The time does vary depending on your weight, % of body fat, how much food you ate, etc.}
〰️ Alcohol leaves your milk just as it leaves your blood.
〰️ Up until around 3 months of age, infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older baby can metabolize alcohol more quickly.
〰️ Higher levels of % consumption can temporarily interfere with your milk letdown.
〰️ Not drinking alcohol is the safest option.
〰️ 1 drink = 12oz beer, 1oz of hard liquor, 4oz of wine (AAP)
A 2007 study suggests that lactating women may metabolize alcohol more quickly compared to non-lactating
(Pepino et al 2007)
Dr. Jack Newman says this in More Breastfeeding Myths:
“Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for nursing mothers.” — So if you’d like, you can enjoy your red wine with dinner on the holidays! 🍷
👇🏼 General tips:
〰️ If you’re away from baby, pump as often as baby usually nurses (this is to maintain milk supply, not because alcohol).
〰️ NEVER share a bed or other sleeping space w/ your baby if you have been drinking.
〰️ If your breasts become full, you can hand express or pump. If you don’t feel comfortable feeding baby. Save milk for baths (you can even use it externally on baby’s skin for eczema, rashes, sunburns etc)
NEVER DUMP THAT PRECIOUS LIQUID GOLD!!!!
Please never feel pressured to drink! There are many great mock tails you can sip on instead. In general, if you are sober enough to safely hold and handle your baby, you should be sober enough to breastfeed.
Wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holidays! 🎄