Breastfeeding and drinking

[Anxiousmummy22]

Hello,

I’ve posted before on this but still feel worried based on what I’ve read online.

I was having 1-2 standardish glasses of wine (probably 2 on av, I shared a bottle of wine with my husband but he had larger glasses) most nights with dinner after I put baby to sleep. He would often wake up for a feed before I went to bed, sometimes this was straight after I drank and sometimes 2-3 hours after.

I probably did this for about 4 months or so.

I didn’t know about the waiting period and didn’t realise frequent drinking was not good when BF. I thought 1 or 2 glasses was fine.

I am now panic stricken that I’ve I could have caused developmental issues etc and have been an awful mum for doing it. I’ve stopped drinking mostly, have the odd small glass of wine.

baby has met all milestones and is very happy.

I researched everything so I could give him the best but honestly didn’t realise this was an issue.

I now know we were quite over the nhs guidelines per week.

I didn’t drink when pregnant and don’t bing drink or get drunk. I was just enjoying some wine at the end of the day with my husband over dinner.

has anyone done similar and their baby is fine or are their any medical professionals that can hopefully give me some reassurance.

please no nasty comments I feel awful already!

thanks so much.

My nct group is half made up of drs and we spent every week in the pub drinking and breastfeeding when the babies were tiny and they're all absolutely fine. We were told at our nct breastfeeding session alcohol dosent enter the breastmilk.

I got absolutely flamed the last time I said this but I know a lot of doctors and they all say it's fine.

I didn't want to post this because I know I'll get piled on but I wanted to say you're not the only one.

This is the information ive been told by a lot of different people.

Thank you so much for replying to me, it’s very kind! It’s reassuring to know that. From what you’ve heard/experienced do you think the fact I drank regularly will be fine? I’m so desperate to do the best by him that I’ve got myself worked up over this! Thanks again

Absolutely fine xx

It’s fine. The amount is tiny in breast milk.

By the time alcohol makes it to milk the body has pretty much already metabolised it (providing you are sipping wine and not necking shots of tequila). Please don't give it another thought

It's absolutely fine

The level of alcohol in your milk is the same as your blood alcohol- so the driving limit is 0.08% and a fatal (!) level is 0.05, at which point your blood would have a similar alcohol content to most non-alcohol beers

It is completely different from drinking when pregnant, when the baby would be as drunk as you are

Thanks everyone for being so kind to reply!

if anyone has firsthand experience of drinking regularly and BF or is a medical professional any comments would be so helpful!

thanks again, so nice this is a supportive community

I regularly drank wine while BF-ing DS1. Never more than half a bottle but that’s because any more would have given me a hangover I think! Usually just a glass or two like you. Absolutely no issues.

Now BF-ing DS2 and again will drink wine when I fancy it. I try not to drink during the week but that’s for health reasons rather than because of breastfeeding. That said with the light evenings and nice weather I’ve definitely had a glass of chilled rose on more evenings than I should probably have, but again that’s because of the NHS recommended 14 units a week rather than any specific BF concerns.

I drank similar (probably more) and it's definitely fine!