What do you do if you are breast feeding and would like to go out for a drink but not give baby formula?

[berrybliss]

With Christmas, New and other festive dates coming up... (21st birthday ) it got me thinking what if I want a wee tipple? Do I have to express super amounts of milk and if so how long will it keep? Also do I express after drinking and throw it away? How long will there be traces of Alcohol in my milk?

Or do I just not drink at all?

I haven't touched a drop throughout my preganancy but feel that I deserve a treat once in a while!

Sorry for all the questions... as you can tell I am clueless but with good intentions!

• New Years

express and freeze it?

I always limited myself to one drink, two at xmas!

I was pretty sober for the first few weeks, after six months had a bit more I seem to remember..

I just go out for a drink and don't feed immediately afterwards. how old is your baby?

I drink if I want to, sometiems none sometimes a couple of beers
ds2 is now 6 mths and sleeps through from 7-4am so I've got more freedom now but that said I've never really worried that much
I'd not really go for it though

Hmm - I could be being naughty here but I had a drink or two after lo was born on many nights....bf mine for almost a year and they all survived. I would relax and enjoy your baby!

Its not due until the 18th of November. But the thought crossed my mind when a friend asked me what i was doing for my 21st (not till early Jan) and i was unsure, as I didn't know if I would be able to drink due to wanting to breast feed and avoid bottle feeding as much as possible.

So It would be around 6 weeksish I guess.

Another reasons not to get really pissed is that hangovers with small babies are a whole different type of hell!
Trust me, not fun...

I've been told by my midwife that if you do want to have a drink (and in her opinion one or two isn't a problem) to have it straight after a feed as it gives the longest amount of time for your body to filter the alchohol. Good on you for going the whole pregnancy without drinking, I must confess to the odd half glass of wine and sips of DH's beer.

So I can have a few but not go overbored and Lo will be ok? But if I have more than a few should I express and throw away?

yes
avoid spirits I guess - get more booze and less alchohol I know white wine can make some babies quite gassy when they are little btw

Moomin mentioned freezing expressed milk is that ok?

I didn't drink when pregnant but don't think anything of having a glass or two or wine when I'm breastfeeding. I wouldn't do it every night but for a special occasion I can't see why you couldn't drink in moderation. I suppose if you wanted to get drunk you should probably express.

Thanks for the advice! Now thinking about it i'm not sure if i'll be able to go out and leave a 6 week old baby, but at least i know can have a glass of wine at Christmas and not have to fret that I am a bad mother!

Red! not white Piffle

I think a glass or two will get me drunk after 9 months of T-totality! (I don't think thats a word, but i think you know what i mean)