Breastfeeding & Alcohol

[Roisin80]

I am sure this has been done before but I am confused by the breastfeeding and alcohol guidelines. I am bf my 16 week old, I have had the odd glass of wine in this time, thinking it was okay, I read that a very minute amount of alcohol passes into the milk. But then yesterday I read that it's better not to drink at all. Can you let me know your thoughts? Thank you

It's absolutely fine to drink while breastfeeding. The amount that gets into your milk is tiny (less than is naturally present in apple juice). I remember reading one that for your milk to be 0.5% alcohol you would be already dead from alcohol poisoning! Just don't co sleep after drinking.

You are correct. The risk is that you may be too impaired to care for your baby after a few drinks, not that you may pass alcohol to baby. Milk is made from blood and is therefore the same % alcohol content as your blood alcohol levels. As Previous poster said, 0.55% is fatal levels. Enjoy your glass of wine!

If you are ok to hold and look after your baby, you are ok to feed them. If you're getting very drunk you need a babysitter with either expressed milk or formula.

Also, the alcohol in the milk in your breast decreases as you sober up, so you don't need to 'pump and dump' except for comfort.

Thank you for your replies, I was feeling guilty about having it but feel much better now x