Breastfeeding women are often given conflicting advice about whether or not it's ok to drink before their baby is fully weaned. Many women believe that they need to abstain completely from alcohol while breastfeeding, or that they need to 'pump and dump' breastmilk if they do have a drink, and the freedom to have a drink is often cited as one of the reasons why mums stop breastfeeding. But is that glass of red really a complete no-no, and if not, how much is it ok to drink as a nursing mum?
Alcohol does pass freely into breastmilk in small amounts, and it is possible to harm your baby's development and to inhibit your own milk production and let-down reflex by drinking too much alcohol. Even in small amounts, alcohol can affect the smell and taste of breastmilk and be off-putting for your baby. However, there's no evidence to suggest that occasional light drinking will adversely affect your baby - the NHS recommends that one to two units a couple of times a week is completely harmless. So if you do like the occasional glass of wine then you can usually enjoy it without feeling guilty that you will harm your baby.
But the timing of any drink you do choose to have is also important. The level of alcohol in your breast milk reflects the level of alcohol in your bloodstream, peaking between thirty and sixty minutes if you drink without food (taking a little longer if you do eat) and once your body has processed the alcohol your milk is clear.
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What's in a unit?
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One unit of alcohol is approximately:
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1/2 pint of ordinary strength beer or lager
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A single, 25ml, measure of spirits
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A small (125ml) glass of wine
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A small glass of sherry
Bear in mind that ABVs (alcohol by volume) vary from drink to drink and always opt for the lowest ABV available.
If you're having a drink at home then measure out a unit into the glasses you use, you might be surprised at how little it looks in your own glasses.
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Because alcohol also passes freely out of breastmilk then, it is possible to have a drink without any of the alcohol reaching your baby at all, unlike during pregnancy. It also means that, contrary to common belief, pumping and dumping milk after drinking is not necessary and won't help your body process the alcohol any faster.
An average woman will take about two hours to clear a single unit of alcohol, but this will vary according to your build and weight. If you do have a drink then it's a good idea to wait 2-3 hours before feeding your baby, and longer if you drink more. It also makes sense to avoid breastfeeding your baby if you feel still any effects of alcohol even after this time. Remember that even small amounts of alcohol can cloud your judgement and weaken your resolve not to breastfeed should your baby wake up unexpectedly. If you find this happens to you then it's best to make alternative feeding arrangements (such as expressing) or not drink at all.
A baby's age is also important to consider in keeping alcohol consumption to a safe level. Up until a baby is around three months' old his immature liver processes alcohol at half the speed of an adult, so it's particularly important that you're cautious at this time. On the other hand, once your older baby is eating mainly solids and is sleeping through the night you can have that glass of wine with dinner knowing that you have several hours to eliminate the alcohol before your next feed.
You can then, enjoy alcohol in moderation when breastfeeding, but small amounts and timing are key to limiting the alcohol that is passed on to your baby. If you are a heavy drinker or think you may have a drinking problem then you should take to your GP about whether or not to breastfeed.
Tips for safe drinking while breastfeeding
- If you do drink, always be aware of what, and how much, you're drinking - when out, ask hosts not to refill your glass
- Eating a meal with your drink lowers the rate of alcohol absorption, so a glass of wine over dinner is better than one taken alone
- Strong alcoholic drinks like cocktails can take many hours to clear the bloodstream, it's best to steer clear of these completely
- If you're not sure when your baby will next want to feed, or you want to have
more than a couple of units then you can express milk ahead of time
- If you know that you'll find it difficult to limit yourself once you've had a glass of wine then it's probably best to abstain completely
- If you usually like a drink every day and need some ideas for keeping drinking to a minimum then remember our suggestions for cutting back on alcohol during pregnancy
- Avoid breastfeeding your baby if you can feel yourself under the influence of alcohol
