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Infant feeding

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

some questions about EBM

12 replies

SalBySea · 25/05/2009 20:43

hi

1 - I want to give a bottle of EBM once a day - how much should I give at that feed? I heard that there is some sort of formula based on the baby's weight - anyone know what it is

2 - if I want to have a few glasses of wine, how long do I have to express and discard for?

Thanks

OP posts:
FairMidden · 25/05/2009 20:45
  1. feeding should really be by demand, so basically give as much as the baby wants, which will depend on the day i imagine. Someone else will be able to advise you better than me

  2. You don't need to express and discard. Alcohol is only found in small quantities in milk, and when you stop drinking any alcohol "stored" in your breastmilk diffuses back into the bloodstream and is broken down anyway.

doulalc · 25/05/2009 20:55

Rough guide is 2-2.5 ounces per pound of baby's weight and divide by the number of feeds you usually have. You also want to look at how old baby is, how many feeds do they have in a 24 hour period, etc.. If just starting out, it usually is best to start with just a few ounces and see how it goes. You don't want to start with too much and end up having to dump some if it doesn't get used soon. You can always have an additional bottle waiting in the fridge if more is required.

If you have the occasional glass of wine you don't need to pump and dump. If you wanted to be more cautious you could feed baby then have your drink knowing you would have a few hours before the next feed. This also depends on baby's age as younger babies will not process the alcohol as quickly as an older baby will.

SalBySea · 25/05/2009 21:02

okay, but what if I want to have a whole bottle of wine rather than an odd glass , say for example if I'm at a wedding? surely I cant drink all day and continue to breast feed?

my baby is 5 weeks old BTW. The amount of feeds he has per day varies hugely, sometimes he feeds every 3 hours during the day and other days its more like every 1.5. He weighs about 10lbs

I worry about giving too much as it goes down so much faster than when he breast feeds

OP posts:
doulalc · 25/05/2009 22:30

Since he is so young, and therefore won't metabolize it as quickly, I would error on the side of caution. Usually you can get by with just several hours after a fair amount of alcohol...perhaps a couple of feedings, and then resume breastfeeding, but since you might be having a bit more, I would consider offering ebm while you are away, or while you are drinking, and then continue with the ebm for several more feeds after your last drink before breastfeeding again. Again, in part because he is still feeding fairly frequently...anywhere from 1.5-3 hours. You may just want to make it easy and plan on offering him ebm for the entire day and get back to breastfeeding the next day.

One of the biggest factors will be how you are feeling. Just be aware that you should not attempt breastfeeding if you are feeling the effects from drinking.

SalBySea · 26/05/2009 09:35

still confused, advice so far seems slightly contradictory

"be aware that you should not attempt breastfeeding if you are feeling the effects from drinking."

  • as a very occasional drinker (and therefore massive light weight) I feel the effects after half a glass so do I need to pump and dump if thats all I have because I feel the effects?
OP posts:
bearhug · 26/05/2009 09:50

I really don't want to spoil your fun, but as a lightweight myself, I wouldn't want to drink a bottle of wine and end up drunk in charge of a baby! Dropping DS seems to me much more of a worry than any alcohol he might get from the milk...

SalBySea · 26/05/2009 10:25

I do agree bearhug - DH and I would never both drink on the same night, and as I've said on other threads I would never leave a bottle of wine out for a babysitter as seems to be the norm. I dont drink at home at all anyway - only if out at an event, but if I went to an event where I was drinking, how long after I got home would i need to pump and dump? I feel the effects of even a glass for the rest of the day and even the next morning! have a wedding to go to in a few weeks and would like to let my hair down a little (DH will be sober and in charge of baby and driving) so will need to plan ahead re how much expressed milk I need to have stored up in advance, which leads me to another question -

I have the guidelines about how long EBM can be kept in the fridge and freezer, but how long can it stay at room temp?

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 26/05/2009 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FairMidden · 26/05/2009 20:53

Just to add this link to a BFN leaflet about the subject, to clarify that you do not need to pump and dump. You may wish to express to keep yourself comfortable during the time you are not feeding but you do not have to.

onthetiles · 26/05/2009 21:02

HI THE GENERAL ADVICE IS A BABY OVER 6 MONTHS SHOULD HAVE ABOUT 500MLS OF MILK. HOWEVER IF BABY DOESNT WANT
THIS MUCH IT CAN HAVE DAIRY IN THE FORM OF YOGHURT / CHEESE ETC AND MAYBE SOME WATER FO LIQUID. MY WEE ONE HAS 3OZ AT BREAKFAST, 5-6MID MORNING, 5-6 MID AFTERNNON AND 6-7 AT BED TIME APPROX. (ALL EBM) THINKING OF DROPPING BREAKFAST IN NEXT FEW DAYS...

BE GUIDED BY YOUR BABY, SOME PREFER SOLIDS ONCE THEY START.

IF WORRIED SPEAK TO HEALTH VISITOR.

doulalc · 26/05/2009 22:55

The idea behind not nursing while you are still feeling the effects from drinking is from a safety of handling baby standpoint...as in difficulty walking or standing, etc., although you may have a raging headache later in the day, breastfeeding would be fine. Although, obviously if you are very intoxicated, your blood alcohol level is likely fairly high.

True, the levels will decrease from your milk just as they will from your blood, but again, at his age, he will not metabolise the alcohol as quickly as if he were older.

Basically, if you have a glass or two you don't need to pump and dump....you could feed him yourself at his next feed. Space each drink out over a period of time and you have even less of a concern. If you know you are going to have more, have some expressed ahead of time for baby to have while you are drinking, then give it a few hours before feeding baby at the breast again if you are feeling up to it. As was said, you may need to pump before that time just to avoid discomfort.

You can leave the breastmilk at room temp if you are just going to a wedding for the day....if you wanted to be sure, or thought you might be gone for the better part of the day...especially if the room temp is fairly warm, you can just pop it into a cooler bag or the fridge.

SalBySea · 26/05/2009 22:58

thanks all - think I've got my head round it now x

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