The relationship between alcohol and breastfeeding is always talked about but never with facts. There are too many myths and confusions surrounding it. Since breastfeeding is when mothers provide the nutrients to the baby, their food and drinks are often carefully designed. In the following sections, let's understand if breastfeeding mothers can drink alcohol and what the guidelines are for drinking during the period.
Can Breastfeeding Mothers Drink Alcohol - The Conditions
Breastfeeding mothers can drink alcohol. However, there are conditions and limits. The mother needs to understand how alcohol can affect her and the baby when she is breastfeeding. Alcohol, when consumed when breastfeeding, can pass into the milk, which then reaches the baby.
How Does Alcohol Affect Breast Milk?
Contrary to the popular belief that alcohol helps milk supply, alcohol decreases milk production, and heavier drinking (around five drinks or more) can reduce the milk ejection (let-down) reflex and disrupt feeding until the mother's alcohol levels fall. [1]
Alcohol can also change the smell and taste of breast milk, which some babies may not like, and babies often feed less in the hours after their mother has had a drink. The level of alcohol in breast milk closely follows the level in the mother's blood, so the more she drinks, the greater the effects.
Effects of Alcohol on Baby
One of the most important things to consider is the effects of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding on the baby. Alcohol, when consumed by a nursing mother, can change the composition of the milk and pass into it, making the milk alcoholic. The reason why one must be aware of the relationship between alcohol and breastfeeding is because the organs of infants are in the developing stage. They have immature liver enzymes that are directly impacted by alcohol. Therefore, babies are incapable of handling alcohol the way adults can, so any amount can be harmful to them. As a result, the baby can suffer from a lack of food and sleep and even have delayed development.
A higher amount of alcohol percentage in the mother’s body with high frequency can affect the baby’s sleep, behaviour, and even motor development by getting influenced by alcohol. If babies get exposed to alcohol frequently, they may suffer from stunted or slow growth, facing problems with weight gain and feeding issues.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends caution when drinking for breastfeeding mothers because of the risks linked to the babies’s health.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System for Breastfeeding?
How long alcohol stays in the body depends on several factors, including the mother's metabolism, body weight, whether she has eaten, and how much she has drunk.
A standard drink is defined as: [2]
- 12 ounces (350 ml) of beer
- 5 ounces (150 ml) of wine
- 1.5 ounces (45 ml) of distilled spirits, such as vodka or whisky
The more a mother drinks, the longer alcohol stays in her blood and breast milk. It is best to wait until the alcohol has cleared from the body before breastfeeding, and keeping drinking to a minimum reduces the risks for the baby.
Does Pumping and Dumping Remove Alcohol from Breast Milk?
A common myth is that pumping breast milk and throwing it away straight after drinking removes the alcohol. This is not true.
Alcohol leaves breast milk only as the mother's body breaks it down and her blood alcohol level falls. Pumping and discarding milk does not speed this up, because newly produced milk will still contain alcohol for as long as there is alcohol in her blood. [3] Expressing milk can relieve breast fullness if a feed is delayed, but it does not speed up the removal of alcohol.
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?
An occasional drink is unlikely to harm a breastfeeding baby, especially if the mother waits at least 2 hours after a drink before feeding. [4] The key to safety is controlling both the amount and the timing. Having a drink just after a feed, rather than just before, gives the body time to break down the alcohol before the next feed. The aim is to keep the baby's exposure to alcohol as low as possible.
How Much Is Safe to Drink When You’re Breastfeeding?
Nursing mothers should avoid drinking as much as possible. However, there are safe limits which can allow mothers to drink without exposing the baby to the adverse effects of alcohol. For example, one standard drink, once a week should have no effect on the baby. However, ensure that you drink after breastfeeding and there is 2-3 hours time before the next nursing schedule. Also, one can pump and dump in between for added precaution. In any case, frequent or binge drinking alcohol should be avoided for the infant.
How Can Jagruti Rehab Help Breastfeeding Mothers With Alcohol Addiction?
If a breastfeeding mother finds it hard to cut down or stop drinking, seeking help early protects both her health and her baby's. At Jagruti Rehab, our team supports nursing mothers to manage alcohol dependence through therapy, healthy routines, mindfulness, yoga, exercise and medication where needed, with a focus on the well-being of both mother and baby.
Our rehabilitation centre in Pune offers medically supervised, confidential treatment for alcohol dependence, including support for new mothers.
Reaching out for help is a strong, caring step for you and your baby. With the right support, mothers can overcome alcohol dependence and enjoy a healthy breastfeeding journey.
