Breastfeeding and Alcohol

I've never been much of a drinker. I can honestly say I have been legally drunk no more than 5 times in my life. Heck, it's been almost 2 full years since I've even had a glass of wine and I can't say that I really miss it. That being said there are a lot of women in forums, at my La Leche League meeting and some acquaintances of mine that have wondered if they could have an occasional drink while breastfeeding and what the effects would be in their milk supply and their baby. Personally I do not condone drinking while breastfeeding, nor do I think it's 'OK' to get 'hammered' while you have an infant to look after due to it being a safety hazard. While below are some general guidelines and information I have compiled in regards to alcohol and breast milk, I ask that you please exercise caution and use your best judgement if you do decide to drink. 
 
The amount of alcohol that makes it to your bloodstream is similar to the amount that makes it to your breast milk. While a single glass of wine or one beer may seem like a small amount it’s important to keep in mind that your baby is small and has a tiny immature liver. Obviously with a small liver your infant does not process alcohol the same as you- infants under 3 months process alcohol at about half the rate of adults.

Some side effects for the infant from a mother that has consumed one alcoholic drink 4 hours prior to nursing include consumption of about 20 % less milk and drowsiness (while also sleeping for a shorter length of time).  Over time it may also hinder an infants’ development. No one knows all the effects that alcohol has on a breastfed infant, and for good reason- I know I’d never sign up to put my child at risk to test the outcomes in a study, so it is best to abstain at least for the first three months of your child’s life.

The best advice I have found in my research is on Baby Center. These 6 tips are great to keep in mind if you decide to have a drink while breastfeeding: 

Wait at least two hours after you finish a drink before nursing your baby to give your body a chance to clear the alcohol.

Your blood alcohol level (and the level of alcohol in your milk) is generally highest 30 to 90 minutes after you have a drink, although that time – and the length of time it takes the alcohol to leave your body – varies from person to person.

You can time your drink so that your baby won't be nursing for a few hours afterward by having it right after a feeding, for example, or during one of your baby's longer stretches of sleep.

Or you can pump and store your milk before having a drink, then feed your baby expressed milk from a bottle. (Pumping after you drink won't clear alcohol from your system any faster – it will still take at least two hours.)

Another option is to feed your baby formula in the hours following your alcohol consumption.

To ward off dehydration, down a glass of water in addition to the alcoholic drink. It's also a good idea to eat beforehand or when you're having your drink. This helps lower the amount of alcohol in your blood and your milk.

There is an old wives tail that says drinking one dark beer a day will increase your milk supply. This is entirely false. In fact, alcohol dehydrates your body, which can cause a drop in milk production. It has also been proven that alcohol makes milk producing hormones behave erratically. When alcohol is ingested oxytocin levels decrease while prolactin levels increase significantly causing a drop in milk supply. Many women have heard of taking an herbal supplement called 'brewers yeast' in order to increase their milk production. While this supplement may sound like the yeast used to brew beer it is actually a by product of the brewing process which is removed. Brewers yeast is full of B vitamins and protein, and has been known to be effective in helping women increase their milk production. (I will caution you though that it can cause stomach upset in yourself and your infant, which is never a good thing, so use with caution.)

There is also a wives tale that is very widely believed that states if you drink you need to 'pump and dump' your breast milk. Here's the thing- if you are drinking and your breasts become engorged I can see this as being a very viable option to relieve your discomfort. 'Pumping and dumping' however, does not help to remove the toxins from your milk. Once the alcohol is out of your blood stream the alcohol is also out of your breast milk. It does not collect in your breast, just like it does not collect in your blood. Your best bet is to wait to nurse until the alcohol is out of your system (likely two hours after your last drink). There is even a product out now with test strips that can test alcohol levels in breast milk. (Target $15) 

Again, I caution that if you do decide to have a drink or two while your child is still breastfeeding that you use your best judgement when it comes to nursing after drinking, as well as not becoming intoxicated to a point that you cannot safely care for your child. In the grand scheme of things, is nursing your child for a year or two and going without a glass of wine really an issue for you?