Breastfeeding and alcohol

[Bec L]

I just wondered what advice, if any, you have been given regarding breastfeeding and drinking alcohol. My midwife told me it was actually beneficial to have the odd glass of wine as it relaxes you and helps your milk flow.

What have you been told, just out of interest?

 

[Samantha675]

That a drink or two won't hurt every so often. If you can drive, you can BF. haha

 

[tinytoes]

i read it takes 2 hours for a half pint of beer to get out of our system before we can feed.

 

[Mervs Mum]

One mw told me it was a no no but a paediactric doctor said a glass of wine is good for mum and wont harm baby.....

I tend to have a glass of red straight after my early evening feed and drink more water after so its diluted and out of my system in time for the next feed.

 

[Whisper]

i was told the same as you and sometimes have a glass of red but i haven't had any hard spirits yet (not that i'm planning on it either!)

 

[clairebear]

i heard guniness is good for supply x x

 

[sam's mum]

i heard guniness is good for supply x x

It is They used to advise women to take a couple of cans of ale into the hospital with them to encourage milk production after they gave birth

I was told the same as Samantha - if you're sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to breastfeed x

 

[my1stbump]

I was told that 2 units would be ok. So I think that is one glass of wine.

I have started to express if I want a drink. but to be honest it doesnt agree with me anymore. I can get a hangover from one glass of wine now.

 

[ani]

La Leche League says it's ok to have an occasional drink. The best time to drink is right after a feed, or even better, while you're feeding! This way it has the longest time to get out of your system. It takes a while to get to your blood, so if you are drinking while you're feeding, it will not get through yet.
And in any case, the level of alcohol in your milk at the highest point is only the same as in your blood. This means there is no way to get it very high. Even if you were completely sloshed, there would only be something like 0,03% alcohol in the milk, so less than in a non-alcoholic beer, for example. In your blood it's a lot, but not so in a drink.

 

[hsollis]

I was also told that one glass of wine was good for BF. However, personally, I won't drink while BF.

 

[KarenLV]

I like drinking cider.I will max drink 2 units as these days I get easily tipsy.Probably because I didnt touch alcohol during pregnancy now my body isnt used to it anymore. Before I used to drink like a sailor and still look and feel sober!

 

[Misselle44]

I have heard conflicting things on this, so I just avoided it, but in light of what you ladies have said, I doubt it is that harmful.

 

[mylittlebubs]

i read this https://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/roepke_anwers2_wine.html
want to have a glass of wine too but still not sure, and alcohol always put me to sleep,lol

 

[jenstar]

i heard guniness is good for supply x x

Well seeing as I have tried every other breastfeeding tip ever I shall also be trying this one! I love a wee Guinness, also nice with a drop of blackcurrant yummmmmy. Thanks Clairebear!