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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Is there any guidance of how much you need to have drunk the night before to get rid of before you BF?

8 replies

mazzap · 31/01/2009 06:23

I drunk 3 halfs of hogarden last night am I still ok to BF or should I bin it? Thanks

OP posts:
daftbat · 31/01/2009 07:20

Sorry, don't know how to paste a link. Here is info from NHS Direct:
However, research shows that occasional drinking, such as one or two units once or twice a week, is not harmful to your baby while you are breastfeeding. Drinking any more than this can cause problems, such as affecting the mother's 'let down' reflex (release of milk to the nipple area). One unit is roughly equivalent to half a pint of regular beer, a 25ml (pub) measure of spirit, or a small (125ml) glass of wine.

Alcohol clears from the mother's blood at a rate of about one unit every two hours. If you do decide to have a drink, it's a good idea to wait for a couple of hours before breastfeeding. It can be difficult to predict when your baby may want to feed, so some mothers plan ahead and express milk beforehand for special occasions where they may want to have a drink.

Moderation is key - drinking anymore than a couple of units at a time can affect the baby's development and reduce your milk supply. Small amounts of alcohol pass into breast milk, making it smell different, which may affect your baby's feeding, sleeping or digestion. To be on the safe side, some women choose to avoid alcohol altogether while they are breastfeeding.

I drank occassionally whilst BF and my DD are all ok!

SamJamsmum · 31/01/2009 07:50

I would say you are fine to bf.

CantSleepWontSleep · 31/01/2009 08:03

I'd say fine to bf too.

georgimama · 31/01/2009 08:04

I drank alcohol and BF and DS was fine.

It's worth remembering that your breasts are not like tanks which fill up with milk which stays there until used. It is a bodily fluid and gets re-absorbed and re-made, like blood. I'm not explaining it very well, but it's nnot like you've poured a double scotch into your boob and then given it to your child!

fledtoscotland · 31/01/2009 11:23

I'd heard that it was one unit every two hours (same as it takes the blood to process alcohol)

however I have found that DS2 is unsettled if I have ANY alcohol to drink. not sure if it alters the taste

Libralovesbiscuits1975 · 31/01/2009 11:31

"drinking anymore than a couple of units at a time can affect the baby's development"

genuinely interested - is there actually research to back this up?

fledtoscotland · 31/01/2009 11:36

i thought that was during pregnancy. there is lots of evidence to show that drinking while pregnant affects the baby. whilst breastfeeding, i know alcohol inhibits the let-down reflex.

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 11:37

You will be fine, don't worry about it at all

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