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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Can I have a glass of wine every night while bf?

31 replies

M78 · 26/11/2009 18:54

I would love to have 1 small glass of wine with my dinner as it really does help me relaxing, especially after carrying around all day in my arms my 11 wk old baby who suffers from reflux! If I have the wine at 8pm and then feed the baby at around 1am, is it ok? Can I do it every night or should I just do it 1 or 2 times a week? Thanks!

OP posts:
MummyElk · 26/11/2009 18:57

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Completely not scientific but YES. Once I got over the guilt I actually ended up drinking quite a lot whilst bfing (not ALLLLL the time - she hastens to add) but I'm sure one glass a night won't be awful. Apparently it does cross over a little into the breastmilk but tbh I tried it as a method of seeing if it made my DD sleep any better..(it didn't) so I can't see that it makes much difference...

Taramuddle · 26/11/2009 19:02

I think it would be fine, a small glass is probably about 1 unit of alcohol which should easily be metabolised by 1pm I'd have thought. Get out the corkscrew I say!

strongblackcoffee · 26/11/2009 19:02

mummyelk - I'm not joking, I was about to write exactly the same 'yes yes yes yes yessssss' when I saw your answer!

Of course you can, relax and enjoy it - you have seriously earned it!

devilsadvocaat · 26/11/2009 19:04

yessssssssss yes yes

MummyElk · 26/11/2009 19:22

ooohhh YES enjoy it!! definitely!! good point Strongblackcoffee!!
mmmmm wine.....

OrmIrian · 26/11/2009 19:24

Yes. In fact the more you return to normality the more you will feel inclined to carry on longer. BFing shouldn't be a martyr's sentence.

strongblackcoffee · 26/11/2009 19:37

mmmmmmm wine YUM!!! Gin

strongblackcoffee · 26/11/2009 19:37

haha clearly meant to say although gin is also good

Tikkabillajive · 26/11/2009 19:40

I wouldn't have ended up breastfeeding my two so successfully if my mum hadn't turned up and put a large glass of red wine in my hand when DD was about 2 days old! Enjoy!

stantonjulie · 26/11/2009 19:42

I use the drink drive rule. If I'm fit to drive I'm fit to feed!

However I stick to 12% wine only and measure the amount I pour. You can calculate the units as follows:

Units = amount (in litres) x strength

so small glass of wine = 0.15 x 12 = 1.8 units

I think it takes 1 hour for 1 unit to pass so if I drink this at 7.30pm it's gone by 9.30pm.

Clearly I have no scientific support for the theory but I think it's OK.

Also remember breast feeding and small alcohol consumption means weight loss or no weight gain. I am now lighter 4m after my dd was born than I was before I was pregnant!!

Greensleeves · 26/11/2009 19:44

how are you going to not feed the baby between 8pm and 1 am though? I've never met an 11 week old who only fed every five hours

wine fine though IMO, I did

RainRainGoAway · 26/11/2009 19:44

I did - both are dcs fine!!!

I left it several hours before BF again though.

Original poster
M78 · 26/11/2009 21:08

Thanks for your replies, I feel really relieved now that I can go on and enjoy a glass of wine without feeling guilty! I am really enjoying breastfeeding after a difficult first few weeks, but I really do miss having a drink especially now that Christmas is getting closer!
Greensleeves I feed my DD2 at 7 pm and normally she does not wake up until 1am, but after that it is normally 5am and then 6.30am, and every 2-3 hrs after that!

OP posts:
fishie · 26/11/2009 21:16

m78 have a pint of fizz on me. that is super luck with 7pm-1am, i had a 7-10pm screamer.

Original poster
M78 · 26/11/2009 21:29

She never used to, she suffers from reflux and nights used to be awful, she was awake screaming from 10pm to 5am, but a couple of visit to a very good osteopath and medications have made the situation much much better!

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 26/11/2009 21:33

yes, wouldn't stress about units either, rough idea is enough (I did stress about units when pregnant, I'd like to point out!!)

PrammyMammy · 26/11/2009 21:41

Yess!!

My dd is almost 10 weeks (and with the trouble we had in the start i didn't expect to be bf at 10 days!!) Without a glass of wine here and there i'd be gray!

Pluto · 26/11/2009 21:43

Go for it M78 DS2 is 9 months now and I have just recently finished bfing. I drink a glass or two of red in the evening and have no regrets at all. DS is fine. Cheers!

ravenAK · 26/11/2009 21:47

Ooooh, wine & bf'ing.

That lovely slightly muzzy but simultaneously smug feeling when both of you are warm, curled up on the sofa & enjoying a delicious drink. & there is absolutely no way you should really be doing the washing up or taking the bins out.

Bliss.

Of course you can!

ellliebelle · 27/11/2009 12:04

m78 your dd2 sounds just like mine she sleeps from 8 till about 2.30 but then is up at 5.30 and 6.30.

i have just this week started having the odd drink in an evening and see nothing wrong with it.

my big issue now is that its my works xmas party next friday and im already stressing about how much i can drink and when i can bf again

emmalina888 · 27/11/2009 13:44

I don't think you should even consider drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, what kind of a sick mother are you?? Take yourself along to an AA meeting... pronto.

tiktok · 27/11/2009 13:48

at emmalina

Ineedsomesleep · 27/11/2009 13:50

Double at Emmalina.

emmalina888 · 27/11/2009 13:54

I know, I am sooo funny aren't I!!

mumof2222222222222222boys · 27/11/2009 13:56

Well, after that comment (from Emmalina), I have to add my vote for the odd glass of wine.

It doesn't seem to have done my DSs any harm whatsoever.