Page 2 | To have a drink to fly

SBelfast · 2025-08-21T19:05:19+00:00

Hello, Not sure this is AIBU but found it hard to pick a topic. I have a big fear of flying. Used to be so bad I would get a bus around the UK taking 19 hours to get from one stop to another instead of a 1 hour flight. I've had different kinds of therapy for it and was managing the phobia quite well (ie could fly) with a decent dose of diazepam. When I became pregnant I had a work trip I had to fly for and was my first sober flight in ages on a propeller plane, which I understand are very safe but which scared this shit out of me. Since ive had my baby (7 months) ive taken a fear of flying course which included a short experience flight and that went ok. However in a week need to fly for a family holiday with friends to Geneva. Initially I planned to take diazepam and got a prescription for it but was told cant breastfeed ideally for 48 hours - so feel like that options off the table as ds is currently nursed to sleep at night. So now im thinking two glasses of prosecco....to take edge off and feed ds hours later (formula in interim). My dh would do all the baby transporting etc. Im just worrying now about his ears popping and I know feeding is meant to help with that? He hasnt taken a dummy and hes teething bad atm so I feel like anything other than the boob he will chew on instead of suck (this includes bottle which he chews on then sucks). But is letting him breastfeed for take off/landing with alcohol in system a complete no? Idk how much would cross over? Any advice welcome! Sorry for the long ramble!

roclalalflg · 21/08/2025 22:50

InNeedOfASideHustle · 21/08/2025 22:46

Just to be clear, I meant that OP would need to discard any pumped milk as it would contain the alcohol traces. You pump to relieve discomfort (which OP would presumably need to do as she'd miss feeds while H is formula feeding). Not sure exactly how this is misinformation.

And I recognise that the article says it unlikely to harm your baby. But, I was once given this analogy: When I was deemed 'ok' to smoke it public places, second hand smoke would be passed to those non-smokers in the same area. If you only visited a smoking-permitted bar once or twice a month, you'd most likely be ok but someone else, might develop serious health problems. However, no one can know for sure and that's the risk you'd take. This is exactly why medical professionals don't recommend alcohol. Because they can't identify a 'safe' limit and what is unlikely to harm one baby, could cause serious complications to another.

I can't stop anyone from doing what they're going to. At the end of the day, it's up to the mother to weigh up risk vs benefit. I just know unlikely isn't Impossible and that's not good enough for me personally.

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doesnt make sense sweetie

chachahide · 21/08/2025 22:55

Yes you can drink and breastfeed, I looked into this fairly deeply a couple of years ago, and the concentration you’d need to go from your blood stream into your breast milk is insanely high. I remember thinking I’d be on the floor long before it became an issue!

I didn’t ever get drunk and breastfeed, but I did have a glass of wine.

I hope you enjoy the flight and the wedding!

missrabbit1990 · 22/08/2025 06:45

InNeedOfASideHustle · 21/08/2025 22:46

Just to be clear, I meant that OP would need to discard any pumped milk as it would contain the alcohol traces. You pump to relieve discomfort (which OP would presumably need to do as she'd miss feeds while H is formula feeding). Not sure exactly how this is misinformation.

And I recognise that the article says it unlikely to harm your baby. But, I was once given this analogy: When I was deemed 'ok' to smoke it public places, second hand smoke would be passed to those non-smokers in the same area. If you only visited a smoking-permitted bar once or twice a month, you'd most likely be ok but someone else, might develop serious health problems. However, no one can know for sure and that's the risk you'd take. This is exactly why medical professionals don't recommend alcohol. Because they can't identify a 'safe' limit and what is unlikely to harm one baby, could cause serious complications to another.

I can't stop anyone from doing what they're going to. At the end of the day, it's up to the mother to weigh up risk vs benefit. I just know unlikely isn't Impossible and that's not good enough for me personally.

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You don’t understand the science here - it’s really not harmful, so just stop it and accept others know better!

InNeedOfASideHustle · 22/08/2025 07:35

missrabbit1990 · 22/08/2025 06:45

You don’t understand the science here - it’s really not harmful, so just stop it and accept others know better!

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I was simply giving an anecdote that was once given to be by a HV. While I appreciate I'm not a scientist, I don't think many on here will be and people need to make their own choices. I just wanted to point out that that this is an area that has a lot of uncertainties and that the science says it's unlikely to have an effect, which isn't a guarantee. Obviously if you're comfortable with that level of risk, ok. I'm not.

So no, I won't stop as I'm free to share my experiences and personal view (which is what I have done) and, as I said, not everyone has to do as I do.

missrabbit1990 · 22/08/2025 07:40

InNeedOfASideHustle · 22/08/2025 07:35

I was simply giving an anecdote that was once given to be by a HV. While I appreciate I'm not a scientist, I don't think many on here will be and people need to make their own choices. I just wanted to point out that that this is an area that has a lot of uncertainties and that the science says it's unlikely to have an effect, which isn't a guarantee. Obviously if you're comfortable with that level of risk, ok. I'm not.

So no, I won't stop as I'm free to share my experiences and personal view (which is what I have done) and, as I said, not everyone has to do as I do.

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Ah, a HV, those oracles who are never wrong…

anyway OP lots of people as you can see from this thread drink a moderate amount of alcohol regularly when BF - so once for a flight will do no harm whatsoever. And treat yourself to a few wines on holiday too!

HoppingPavlova · 22/08/2025 07:45

@InNeedOfASideHustle I just wanted to point out that that this is an area that has a lot of uncertainties and that the science says it's unlikely to have an effect, which isn't a guarantee. Obviously if you're comfortable with that level of risk, ok. I'm not

But you are not indicating level of risk. I spent decades advising patients on levels of risk and what is really helpful is to give people a comparator so they could determine their level of comfort. For example, telling them that an adverse effect related to a medicine you wanted to prescribe was rare was pretty meaningless in terms of level of risk. Telling them it was rare, which meant that their likelihood of suffering from it would generally be significantly lower than the chance of anyone over the globe dying in an air crash in the space of a decade, provided context for ‘level of risk’ so they could decide personal comfort level. What you are doing is just scaremongering, and you know it.

Original poster

SBelfast · 22/08/2025 08:00

MummaHud · 21/08/2025 20:16

I’m getting married in Spain & we fly tomorrow morning- I HATE FLYING- but my husband to be is Spanish & we chose his home town and all my friends and family are flying there. It’s going to be lovely, but the flying is bringing my build up down and I’m so annoyed with myself 😭

ill be with my 5 year old and 1 year old- and I’m just desperate to not show them fear… I personally feel being relaxed is more beneficial to the kids. I’ll be having a drink at the airport in my bridal gear to kill the nerves of the wedding and the flight! Xx

Thinking about you today! Congratulations on upcoming nuptials and enjoy your beverage, flight will be fine (keep telling myself this). Have a wonderful wedding 😊

OP posts:

ForZanyAquaViewer · 22/08/2025 08:02

InNeedOfASideHustle · 21/08/2025 22:46

Just to be clear, I meant that OP would need to discard any pumped milk as it would contain the alcohol traces. You pump to relieve discomfort (which OP would presumably need to do as she'd miss feeds while H is formula feeding). Not sure exactly how this is misinformation.

And I recognise that the article says it unlikely to harm your baby. But, I was once given this analogy: When I was deemed 'ok' to smoke it public places, second hand smoke would be passed to those non-smokers in the same area. If you only visited a smoking-permitted bar once or twice a month, you'd most likely be ok but someone else, might develop serious health problems. However, no one can know for sure and that's the risk you'd take. This is exactly why medical professionals don't recommend alcohol. Because they can't identify a 'safe' limit and what is unlikely to harm one baby, could cause serious complications to another.

I can't stop anyone from doing what they're going to. At the end of the day, it's up to the mother to weigh up risk vs benefit. I just know unlikely isn't Impossible and that's not good enough for me personally.

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You were asked to give a source for your ‘pumping and dumping’ information. You providing that link claiming States that breast milk isn't safe and expressing milk between feeds (to relieve discomfort) is needed. The expressed milk will contain the alcohol traces and should therefore be tossed.

It does no such thing. You are yet to provide a single credible source to back up your claims. So, yes, misinformation. That’s what misinformation is. And you can come up with as many melodramatic analogies as you like, but none of the above facts will change.

Original poster

SBelfast · 22/08/2025 08:07

Schoolchoicesucks · 21/08/2025 20:27

I think my concerns would be around timing - if flight was delayed and the "edge-off" effects wore-off too soon what would the impact be? Might you have a panic mid-flight?
Have you spoken to a pharmacist or the doctor who gave the info about 48 hours for diazepam to ask if there was any alternative that was safe for breastfeeding?
I was being advertised CBD drinks a while back - do any of them have an impact on anxiety and are they safe for breastfeeding?

I think the effects would still be there since im such a light weight atm! I guess I could have a drink on the plane if needed. Diazepam is much better since the effects for me wear off a lot quicker than alcohol. But obvs stays in your system a lot longer. Since it is a muscle relaxant it can suppress breathing so completely out of my risk appetite!
I like CBD drinks but had them before pregnancy, also used strong CBD oil which I did feel was good for sleep, again before pregnancy. I messaged a few of the drinks companies to ask if can take them breastfeeding and they said no. I assume that's just their blanket statement as no research into it.

OP posts:

Original poster

SBelfast · 22/08/2025 08:15

Thanks everyone this has been really helpful. Ill have my two glasses of prosecco as planned. Even just knowing its an option makes the thought of flying less scary!
Ill try short feeds for take off and landing just in case does prevent ears popping. Actually travelling with a paediatrician friend so thats quite reassuring also! 😊

OP posts:

bumbaloo · 22/08/2025 08:16

InNeedOfASideHustle · 21/08/2025 20:39

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/can-i-breastfeed-if-im/drinking-alcohol/

This is the first thing that I clicked on. States that breast milk isn't safe and expressing milk between feeds (to relieve discomfort) is needed. The expressed milk will contain the alcohol traces and should therefore be tossed.

I've breastfed all of my babies and this has always been the advice given from all healthcare professionals.

I personally would not feel comfortable taking any risk around breastfeeding and alcohol, especially with newborns and young babies.

edited to add: I've looked at the quoted link briefly. It confirms that alcohol will be passed to baby but its effects aren't well documented. Again, not worth the risk imo.

Edited

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There is ideal and then there is reality and actual risk.

ideally = no alcohol
reality = if the alternative is a full panic attack resulting in everyone stressed and potentially unable to bf and or fly anyway then you pick your damage.
actual risk = a single episode of bf whilst having a low level of alcohol in the system is very very very unlikely to cause any issue. And read reality above again.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 22/08/2025 08:18

InNeedOfASideHustle · 22/08/2025 07:35

I was simply giving an anecdote that was once given to be by a HV. While I appreciate I'm not a scientist, I don't think many on here will be and people need to make their own choices. I just wanted to point out that that this is an area that has a lot of uncertainties and that the science says it's unlikely to have an effect, which isn't a guarantee. Obviously if you're comfortable with that level of risk, ok. I'm not.

So no, I won't stop as I'm free to share my experiences and personal view (which is what I have done) and, as I said, not everyone has to do as I do.

Show quote history

Well let me give you another anecdote then, I hope you never gave your babies bananas or other ripe fruits, which can have ABV of 0.2-0.5%. If your blood alcohol (and therefore your breastmilk) reached that level you’d be dead. That’s how little alcohol passes to breastmilk.

Of course the official line is “we can’t say for certain it’s safe” as they’re obviously not going to do a test with a control group of babies and then ones given alcohol and see whether the alcohol ones come off worse. Use your critical thinking here and stop scaremongering. It really annoys me when misinformation is spread that harms breastfeeding rates.