Guiness and Breast Feeding

[WidgetWB]

Is it really true that it helps your milk supply? My HV says so - and I started drinking it today - am I mad?

I reckon it helped me, plus fenugreek definitely helped

no, it isn't true. sadly!

Don't think so but my husband's GP told him to drink it to boost weight, energy and iron levels. It is nice too.

My mum swore that it was good for the baby... the iron or something. She even used to buy it for me! All it did was knock me out and dehydrate me. I then got paranoid that it was also dehydrating DD and that she was going to wake more in the night for more feeds. My paranoia made me stop after a few nights, so never got to test out the theory. My DH was very happy though,lots of free guiness a week. (I never dared tell my mother I wasnt drinking it!)

My mum swore it helped her; I can't remember, but am still alive to tell the tale!

I think any alcohol can have a negative impact on milk supply (or was it letdown?) but it's pretty minimal. Don't think it's likely to be of much benefit but "a little of what you fancy" probably applies

more info here

I seem to remember my mum drinking that with raw eggs hardcore 70's that was, no fear

No idea, but apparently my mother was given "stout" whilst in hospital after having me and my sister (she couldn't stand the stuff, so gave it to the mother in the neighbourng bed).

the iron level stuff isn't true either. sorry

Oh yes - stout. I've heard that too. Should be my signature tipple at the moment.

Iron content of various foods/drinks
Food / Drink
Iron content (mg)
1 pint of guinness
0.3mg
100g

ready-to-eat apricots
3.4mg
100g

ready-to eat prunes
2.6mg

1 egg
1.1mg

bowl of weetabix
4.2mg

bowl of porridge (40g)
1.6mg

3 oz grilled lamb chop
1.9mg

apparently it's the hops that can help as a galactagogue. but as with all these things one can nevber really be sure if it's helping or if it's psychocomatic.
and what works for one person may not work for another

You could put guinness on your weetabix then.

.. and sprinkle some chopped dried apricots on the top. Badabing!

yep, it's higher in iron than milk.

and maybe a lamb chop and a fried egg??

urgh I feel sick reading all that

My great-aunt was a nurse in a nursing home where babies were delivered and all nursing mothers were given a half of Guinness every night. This was in Ireland, mind you, so any excuse really

Drink Guinness if you want to, but there's no reason why it would make any significant difference to a milk supply, and it's shocking that the HV makes such a claim

tiktok, wouldn't it be more shocking if a HV said something accurate?

Actually, you know the way formula companies are very effective at targeting HV's in their marketing efforts? I wonder if Guinness have cottoned on to the same thing.......

When I used to give blood in Belfast there was Guinness afterwards if you wanted it.

There's always Guinness in Belfast if you want it but I've always been charged in Ulster pounds.

stleger, I was once told I couldn't donate because my BP was too low but they gave me the guinness anyway!

I am banned from donating in the republic because I lived in England in the eighties. So I feel guilty when I see blood donation going on locally. (I don't actually like Guinness!)