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AIBU?

To think the occasional glass of wine while breast feeding is ok?

70 replies

beansbananas · 27/05/2017 15:03

Just interested to hear if people generally abstain completely from drinking alcohol when breast feeding, or if you do have the odd glass of wine. I'd like to have a drink in the sunshine today, but obviously my baby is my number one priority. I'm not able to pump yet as my supply is still only just coming in, and my baby feeds pretty much constantly as a consequence. Therefore should I resist having an alcoholic drink, or would it be ok to have a treat? How much of the alcohol passes to the baby through the milk?

OP posts:
CaptainBrickbeard · 27/05/2017 15:06

Apparently the amount that would pass into your milk from even heavy drinking is minute - a glass or two is fine and will make zero difference.

Jupitar · 27/05/2017 15:06

You should resist unfortunately, I drunk fruit juice thinking it was healthy whilst breastfeeding but it resulted in my daughter projectile vomiting because it affected my milk. (It was the health visitor who pointed out to me where I was going wrong)

GloriaGilbert · 27/05/2017 15:07

Well, it seems obvious to me that a quick google search would make clear how much alcohol makes its way into your milk (not much!).

I certainly drank when I was breastfeeding, just worked it around my feeding schedule.

Rockspin · 27/05/2017 15:07

Have a drink, it's honestly ok. Only a tiny bit of alcohol passes through to breast milk. There's no need to pump and dump anyway, just time it right.
kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/alcohol/

TheBiscuitStrikesBack · 27/05/2017 15:08

Have two. It'll be fine!

Delatron · 27/05/2017 15:08

You can't say 'resist' and then not back it up with any scientific proof..

SometimesMaybe · 27/05/2017 15:09

Being a parent to a newborn is hard enough without not being able to have a drunk or two! There is absolutely no medical evidence that drinking a small amount will cause any harm to your baby.

My midwife told me to have a drink whilst actually breastfeeding as it wouldn't affect that feed and your body would proecess the alcohol by the next feed. Sensible lady my midwife.

Nan0second · 27/05/2017 15:09

You can drink whilst breast feeding.
You should avoid being drunk.
You should avoid co sleeping if you have a drink.
Kelly mom has accurate stats about alcohol in breast milk. You also don't need to pump and dump (it's a myth)
Enjoy your drink :)
(Consultant obstetrician who drank small amounts up to 3 units in an evening regularly whilst breast feeding)

Eminybob · 27/05/2017 15:09

It's absolutely fine, go ahead and enjoy.
If you were blind drunk, the alcohol in your milk will be the same concentration as in your blood, so something like 0.08%. That's less alcoholic than orange juice! So baby really isn't going to have any ill effects.
Just don't get blind drunk though as you might drop the baby Wink

StiginaGrump · 27/05/2017 15:11

Jupitar your HV was wrong - fruit juice of any sort drunk whilst breastfeeding does not make a baby vomit.

A glass or two of wine is fine

You would struggle to get your milk alcohol level above .2

MelinaMercury · 27/05/2017 15:11

I was told by HV it was perfectly safe to drink but not to get drunk.

If your sober enough to hold the baby to feed then all is good ;)

MelinaMercury · 27/05/2017 15:11

*you're

SignoraStronza · 27/05/2017 15:13

I didn't really think about it to be honest. Is not drinking when breastfeeding a 'thing' now?

StiginaGrump · 27/05/2017 15:14

Sorry posted too soon and the .2 would be you in an alcohol induced coma whilst .02 might be after a drink or two at home

WellErrr · 27/05/2017 15:25

You should resist unfortunately, I drunk fruit juice thinking it was healthy whilst breastfeeding but it resulted in my daughter projectile vomiting because it affected my milk.

This is incorrect, fruit juice does not affect breastmilk.

Sparklingbrook · 27/05/2017 15:25

My MW told me to have a glass of wine prior to feeding to relax. Grin

Rosti1981 · 27/05/2017 15:25

I breastfed my children till quite old (daughter was 5 when we stopped), son is 3, and there is NO WAY I could have managed 8 years without a drink!! It is ok with small babies though too as amount of alcohol passing into milk is v small, issue is only if co-sleeping or in sole charge of baby (in which case best not to get blind drunk). But a glass or 2 of wine is fine, enjoy!

Miniwookie · 27/05/2017 15:36

Yanbu. As per the link posted by the pp. And I would recommend Kellymom in general for evidence-based bf info, rather than the opinions of random mumsnetter's Smile

Miniwookie · 27/05/2017 15:37

Oh ffs autocorrect! *mumsnetters

ParadiseLaundry · 27/05/2017 15:40

Most definitely enjoy a glass in the sunshine. I have enjoyed alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding for 18months. As long as you are sober enough to look after a baby you're fine. Enjoy!

BlackeyedPetitsPois · 27/05/2017 15:42

Absolutely fine. I'm still breastfeeding my 18 month old and I've enjoyed the odd gala here and there.

Enjoy in the sunshine! Happy mum = happy baby Smile

BlackeyedPetitsPois · 27/05/2017 15:43

Ffs *glass not gala. Friggin auto correct.

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BoraThirch · 27/05/2017 15:44

Absolutely fine. Fruit juice wouldn't effect milk either - it doesn't go direct from your mouth to your nipples!

mayrat · 27/05/2017 15:46

The biggest danger is dropping the baby. If you're too drunk to loo after a child, make sure someone else is around who can, otherwise, drink as much as you like!

squeak10 · 27/05/2017 15:48

I did and my children were absolutely fine.

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