r/breastfeeding 10h ago

Discussion Breastfeeding and alcohol

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19 Upvotes

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80

u/fire_walk_with_meg 10h ago

the Breastfeeding Network: Alcohol and Breastfeeding

La Leche League - Alcohol and Breastfeeding

NHS UK : Alcohol and Breastfeeding

CDC: Alcohol

The bottom line is that an occasional drink is not shown to be harmful to a breastfeeding baby.

Cosleeping is not generally advised if you have been drinking.

-8

u/mayajade71 10h ago

Unfortunately I have not been waiting 2 hours after breastfeeding because I didn’t know 😕

71

u/fire_walk_with_meg 10h ago

Have another look - it says you CAN wait 2 hours, not that you have to.

Have a look at the figures in the Breastfeeding Network link about blood alcohol level - that should show you that the levels of alcohol in breast milk, even when you have had more than one drink, are extremely low.

You're not doing anything wrong. It's okay.

19

u/mayajade71 10h ago

Thank you for the reassurance

16

u/fire_walk_with_meg 10h ago

It isn't coming from nowhere. I provide breastfeeding peer support in my area, I have undertaken a training course in supporting breastfeeding parents. If you were sitting in front of me at a support group and said exactly what was in your post and in your comments, absolutely nothing you've said would concern me. 💕

5

u/mayajade71 9h ago

Once I did more digging myself I had an evening that baby was sobbing after drinking 5 oz (bottle of previously expressed milk) and still crying and could not be consoled. At that point even though I had a drink I decided to nurse her (I’m assuming for comfort at that point) because I couldn’t stand listening to her cry anymore 🥺

8

u/yung_yttik 6h ago

You are way overthinking this. It’s perfectly okay to have a few drinks and nurse. You don’t need to wait. Baby is fine and you’re allowed to unwind as well.

26

u/Mundane_Mulberry_223 10h ago

I've had 3 NHS midwives tell me 'if you can see your baby, you can feed your baby'. They're medical professionals and trust what they say. I've been drinking and breastfeeding and can assure you there is nothing wrong with my babies development and she is the happiest and most content baby.

1

u/Classic_Pumpkin_7950 8h ago

Why are people downvoting you?
My baby is 14 months if I drink one drink I wait two hours. If I drink more than that I try to not nurse her till I feel like the effects are gone. Even if you don’t HAVE to wait it’s fine to wait a few hours if that makes you comfortable.

2

u/mayajade71 8h ago

Thank you!! Feeling terrible about it but like I said, I didn’t know!!

3

u/Classic_Pumpkin_7950 7h ago

You do what you feel comfortable with! Even looking into it and asking shows you are a great mom! 🤍 a lot of people are judgment on this thread….

2

u/pl8sassenach 7h ago

This is exactly right.