Readers Respond: What Steps Do You Take to Avoid Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

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In Awe of the Ignorance

What the heck is wrong with North America? This land of extremes is truly baffling, what happened to moderation? Every issue, including breast-feeding, has to be a major polarization debate with extremist vigilantes on each side. And all these "studies" that were published once and never reproduced but often quoted "ad nauseum", all meant to frighten new mothers into submission to not have a single drink while breast-feeding. Grow up already. Alcohol is metabolized out of your body (blood and milk supply) at the same rate so YES you can have a drink (with dinner ideally), and best just after you have breast-fed your baby to give the alcohol a chance to metabolize out of your body before the next feed (1.5-2 hours). If you need more than 2 drinks a day (breast-feeding or not) then you might need to seek help to deal with your "thirst" but let's not make the new moms feel like heels because they want to have some semblance of normalcy in their diet (which CAN include alcohol).

—Guest Shocked

Great ideas!

There were some great ideas posted! After I had my baby I was thrilled to be able to have a few drinks again--but my husband wasn't. He made me search on-line to find out if it really was ok. What I learned was an eye-opener, and I will certainly be more careful with drinking and breastfeeding than I have been. I like the idea of making virgin drinks, and I LOVE the idea about having a drink after baby is sleeping and keeping a bottle ready in the fridge. Thanks everyone!

—Guest Wonderland

Worried Dad

My wife has a problem drinking and the wrong idea of how alcohol works in the body and for how long. I am scared for my daughter's life. What can I do?

—Guest Dave

Conspiracy?

Did you know that alcohol has been responsible (directly/indirectly) for the deaths of more people (young men mostly) than any other drug combined? So after centuries of people dying needlessly what have the alcohol barons done to atone for all this waste of life? 'Drink responsibly' gets discreetly tucked under the latest multi-million dollar advert for vodka or beer; governments make sympathetic noises on T.V whenever it becomes a matter of public concern-and why shouldn't it be? Do you actually not mind the hospital emergency departments being pushed to breaking point at weekends? Overflowing with extremely drunk, injured people; who more often than not are also extremely aggressive. (which usually put them there in the first place) See many hash users there? We hash smokers tend to be far more dignified in our lovely, peaceful state of intoxication. 'Drink ressponibly' Aye-right!!

—Guest Delorio

Decisions decisions..

While I think it isn't the most horrible thing in the world for a mom to have 1 or two drinks occasionally I do think that it's not ok to over do it and go over board. It's another life you have to take care of so obviously you should stay sober and responsible (like you should for your child at any age.) That's my biggest thing, I want to have one or two drinks with my friends but feel that it's almost not even worth it. If I have one or two what does that do for me? Pretty much nothing.. And it makes my breast milk no good which is also a pain in the butt for me mostly because my one year old is a night waker and usually needs me to nurse her back to sleep. I find that when I get together with my friends (and right after they baby is to bed) one drink won't hurt, but I usually don't have more than one because I honestly don't see the point! Like previous mothers said, you have your whole life to drink but only a few years of your babies being babies! My advice have one and enjoy.

—Guest Victoria

If you don't know, don't answer.

I get more irritated every time I read these and people answer then without knowing what they're talking about. Alcohol is metabolized from your breast milk at the same rate it's metabolized from your blood stream. It doesn't got in there and stay there. There's no need to pump and dump, at all, unless it's just to relieve fullness. By the time the blood/alcohol level is low enough that you can no longer feel any of it's effects, it's safe to nurse your baby.

—Guest Knowsbetter

Oh my goodness

I have read so many different things about drinking and breast feeding. I am going to dinner and a comedy club with my husband and I wanted to have a couple drinks (there is a drink minimum at the comedy club also) but I don't know if my heart will let me. I drank almost every weekend before I found out I was pregnant but quit as soon as I found out. So I don't know if I should. I might want to drink more often. Ugh so stressful maybe just one glass of wine. But it almost doesn't make sense I can drink some juice or soda because I like the taste I drink alcohol to feel good. Probably just wait until my little angel is six months and I am done breast feeding, I will just feel too bad. So my conclusion is No drinking while breast feeding You waited nine months just wait a little more.

—newmommy5yrsl8r

Why take the chance?

Why would you take the chance of possible having your small child introduced to alcohol at such a small age. Don't you want what's best for you child? We don't give 2, 3 or 4 year olds alcohol so why is it different for your child under 1? I have two kids and nursed both for 11 months. Do what is best for your baby! You have the rest of your life to drink why take the chance with that child when they don't have a choice. That is selfish! If you have a problem seek help otherwise grow up it's not about you!

—Guest guest

Test Strips

A while back I was at Target and in the breast pump section saw Alcohol test strips for breast milk. I can't remember the amount in the box, but they were relatively inexpensive. It may be worth a try for those who do drink or want to drink. That way you can see if it's in your milk or not. Everybody's body metabolizes things differently. I think it's worth a try. :)

—Guest Mom of 4

I am concerned

This helps a lot but I can't stop myself from drinking, every night. I have been consuming 2-5 drinks a night. My baby is 2 months old. She seems to be developing fine, but I am scared of what I may be doing to her future.

—Guest mommy

Go Virgin

I personally like the fruity kind of drinks: margaritas, strawberry daquiris, that sort of thing. So whenever I'm with friends and just dying to have a drink with everyone else, I make it virgin, and "don't tell myself." if I don't think about it being virgin, I can still sort of induce a little buzz. Just a sorta feel good sensation. If it doesn't work, I just remember why I have to keep it virgin-for that beautiful little guy in my arms who deserves better than alcohol in his breastmilk. Besides...it's only 1 year (& 9 months prior) that I have to go without a drink- it's NOT going to kill me. 1.75 yrs without a drink is a small sacrifice to make for a happy healthy child.

—Guest Sacrificing for Them

No pump and dump!

Pump and dump does not work, I was educated on all those different myths. The alcohol peaks in your milk after about 30-60 min after consumption w. out food, with food, 90 mins. Depending on how much alcohol was consumed it can take 3-8 hours for a single bottle of alcohol to pass. 13 hours if you drank a lot or was a heavy drink.

—Guest Educated mother

Pump n dump

An age old technique, "pump n' dump" lets you enjoy more than one without forcing the baby's developing brain to learn how to function on alcohol (a bad idea). Drink, wait 1-3 hours then pump, then dump the milk out. I know it's liquid gold, but you don't want tainted gold in your baby.

—Guest just a thought

Steps to avoid ...

Usually alcohol is a social thing for me... I have a glass of wine or beer only. (never hard alcohol). I have it after my last feed with my baby for the night. He is 3 months old and sleeps through the night. I make sure I have a fresh pumped bottle of breastmilk in the fridge in case he wakes up before morning. I never have more than two glasses of wine or beer and I make them last a long time. That way I can relax, have sips, laugh, chat and socialize without feeling hung over or drunk in the night. I was always scared of dropping the baby if I drank too much and had to tend to him in the night. Or if something happened and I had to drive him to the hospital, I never wanted to be drunk. Plus being hung over in the morning with a baby is probably the crappiest thing I would ever experience. He deserves better than that. ... signed, just my opinion.

—Guest vividgrl