There are differences of opinion with regard to what substances mothers should avoid while she is breastfeeding. Breastmilk is produced from the mother's bloodstream, so no matter what the breastfeeding mother consumes, the baby gets.
For this reason, some breastfeeding mothers may find it simpler to just avoid all harmful substances, including alcohol, during breastfeeding just as they did during pregnancy. But if you want an occasional drink, is it harmful to your baby? It is reasonable to say that if you have two glasses of wine with your meal that your baby will be feeling the effects of the alcohol. But what about one glass? And how often?
Let's take a closer look at what some experts say with regard to drinking while breastfeeding?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Statement on Breastfeeding and Drinking Alcohol
The AAP recommends that breastfeeding mothers should not consume alcohol, however they advise mothers to drink after they nurse, rather than before. Here is their official statement found in the 2005 Statement on Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid the use of alcoholic beverages, because alcohol is concentrated in breast milk and its use can inhibit milk production. An occasional celebratory single, small alcoholic drink is acceptable, but breastfeeding should be avoided for 2 hours after the drink.
The March of Dimes Statement on Drinking While Breastfeeding
According the the March of Dimes, alcohol and breastfeeding do not go hand in hand. They cite a study in which babies were slower in developing motor skills when their mothers had 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day. Research indicate that alcohol does pass through the breastmilk in small quantities and does reach the baby. Their official statement simply says:
For these reasons, the March of Dimes recommends that women not drink alcohol while they are breastfeeding.
La Leche League International (LLLI) on Consuming Alcohol While Breastfeeding
LLLI warns that alcohol does pass from mother to baby via breastfeeding. They stress the importance of breastfeeding mothers to regulate the amount of alcohol they consume. In the Breastfeeding Answer Book, LLLI states:
Alcohol passes freely into mother's milk and has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, 60 to 90 minutes when taken with food. Alcohol also freely passes out of a mother's milk and her system. It takes a 120 pound woman about two to three hours to eliminate from her body the alcohol in one serving of beer or wine...the more alcohol that is consumed, the longer it takes for it to be eliminated. It takes up to 13 hours for a 120 pound woman to eliminate the alcohol from one high-alcohol drink. The effects of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother consumes.
Thomas Hale Guidelines on Drinking and Breastfeeding
According to Thomas Hale, there may be some benefit from the barley in beer as a way to increase milk supply, however he still cautions breastfeeding mothers to limit the amount of alcohol they consume. He states in his book:
Significant amounts of alcohol are secreted into breastmilk although it is not considered harmful to the infant if the amount and duration are limited. The absolute amount of alcohol transferred into milk is generally low. Beer, but not ethanol, has been reported in a number of studies to stimulate prolactin levels and breastmilk production. Thus it is presumed that the polysaccharide from barley may be the prolactin-stimulating component of beer. Non-alcoholic beer is equally effective.
He adds the following recommendation to breastfeeding mothers who do choose to drink alcohol:
Adult metabolism of alcohol is approximately 1 ounce in 3 hours, so mothers who ingest alcohol in moderate amounts can generally return to breastfeeding as soon as they feel neurologically normal. Chronic or heavy consumers of alcohol should not breastfeed.
There does seem to be a consensus from these experts that an occasional or celebratory drink with just a small amount of alcohol is not likely to be harmful to your baby. However breastfeeding mothers should consult with a pediatrician, lactation consultant or health care professional for further guidance.
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
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