Drinking while breastfeeding?

Logos · Jun 24, 2008

Ok- I have three kids- and I nursed each child for over two years, so counting the time I was pregnant- that's what about 8 1/2 years of my life that I was not supposed to drink alcohol, caffeinated beverages, eat lunch meat, eat tuna, change the litter box or paint? Oh please.... I have no devotion to alcohol but I am also not freaked out that a few drops of alcohol is going to cause harm to my child. I had a wine cooler in the last trimester of my pregnancy and drank occasionally in the two year time frame that I was nursing my first daughter and she is still in the gifted program at school with an IQ above the 98% percentile. So I'm not convinced that a small amount of alcohol by mom is going to wreak havoc on a child.

Actually mom a little relaxed and able to mellow on occasion may be a better mom. & Yes for me a wine cooler and a gardening magazine with about 20 minutes of quite was a wonderful treat. IMO The list of do's and do not's grows longer by the day and mommy guilt is already outrageous- just give parents the real facts not some statistical BS and let them make their own decisions about what is right for them and their families. Doctors and nurses do not always know best.

scattycarrot, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

Ok- I have three kids- and I nursed each child for over two years, so counting the time I was pregnant- that's what about 8 1/2 years of my life that I was not supposed to drink alcohol, caffeinated beverages, eat lunch meat, eat tuna, change the litter box or paint? Oh please.... I have no devotion to alcohol but I am also not freaked out that a few drops of alcohol is going to cause harm to my child. I had a wine cooler in the last trimester of my pregnancy and drank occasionally in the two year time frame that I was nursing my first daughter and she is still in the gifted program at school with an IQ above the 98% percentile. So I'm not convinced that a small amount of alcohol by mom is going to wreak havoc on a child.
Actually mom a little relaxed and able to mellow on occasion may be a better mom. & Yes for me a wine cooler and a gardening magazine with about 20 minutes of quite was a wonderful treat. IMO The list of do's and do not's grows longer by the day and mommy guilt is already outrageous- just give parents the real facts not some statistical BS and let them make their own decisions about what is right for them and their families. Doctors and nurses do not always know best.

:yeahthat:

allnurses Guide · Jun 24, 2008

I think Jolie's point about giving evidence-based information to women is the way to go.

Having said that, I don't think it is wrong for women to make the choice not to drink at all if they are still breastfeeding their child.

This doesn't have to be a debate really - the rules for nursing your child and having wine with dinner have been given.

If you don't want to do that, don't do that.

I nursed my kids, from oldest to youngest for . .. 6 months, 18 months, 3 years and 3 1/2 years. I did occasionally have a glass of wine. I didn't nurse until the wine had been metabolized out of my body.

I loved that bonding time with my kids - more than alcohol - but did not completely abstain and I don't think I had a problem.

Let's just give the OP the facts.

steph

leslie :-D · Jun 24, 2008

Isn't it our responsibility as professional nurses and healthcare providers to offer evidence-based education to our patients?

i'll speak out as a mom before speaking out as a nurse.

thanks anyway.

you know, i too could list sites that tell nsg moms to abstain from drinking.

i could show you studies where these babies had delayed motor development by the age of 1 yo...albeit not significant differences betw those from a 1 yo of a non-drinking mom.

inevitably, research will indeed tell you that if you must drink, to hold of breastfeeding until the alcohol has left your body.

the following site shows an estimated time that it takes for 1+ drinks to leave your body.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2213923&blobtype=pdf

from the article:

"Although occasional drinking while nursing has not been associated with overt harm to infants, the possibility of adverse effects has not been ruled out".

and while we're on it, it makes me wonder...

all of this debate over the occasional drink?

and, if data supports only the occasional drink, then i don't understand those who are fighting so danged hard to claim rights to it...

all over an 'occasional' drink....

it's interesting to observe, from a non-drinking perspective.

leslie

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

and while we're on it, it makes me wonder...
all of this debate over the occasional drink?
and, if data supports only the occasional drink, then i don't understand those who are fighting so danged hard to claim rights to it...
all over an 'occasional' drink....
it's interesting to observe, from a non-drinking perspective.
leslie

Leslie, I agree with you on SO many things, have frequently thought "YES!" to something you wrote, but this time I have to object to the tone of this post. Yes, all of this debate IS over the 'occasional' drink. Obviously, since no one is taking the position that frequent overindulgence is just fine. Your insinuation otherwise is unfair.

Those taking the position that the occasional drink IS fine, when timed appropriately, are trying (perhaps futiley) to clue in those who seem to think that under no circumstances should a woman ever ever take a sip of alcohol during the entire period of time she is breastfeeding, from birth through weaning.

It isn't that we're saying that drinking alcohol is of primary concern above a child's health. We ARE saying that the choice to have a drink now and then, keeping in mind the timing of the drink related to feeding times, isn't one that should label the mother some type of unfit parent. It's those kinds of judgments we fight against. The judgment already placed on this thread that "it's obvious that there's a problem" if the woman cannot absolutely abstain from alcohol during the time she's breastfeeding. Why must it be that she CANNOT abstain? Why insist that there's a "problem" with her alcohol intake if she chooses to drink occasionally according to recommended guidelines?

Fact is, it is FAR FAR better for a mother to breastfeed her baby while having that occasional drink than it is to NOT breastfeed her baby. And the message we fight against is the erroneous thinking that it's the opposite.

The little 'winky face' after the comment about being a non-drinker just further illustrates the judgmental attitude about those who exercise the choice TO drink. And choose to do so without harm to their children.

Wicked Wahine · Jun 24, 2008

The possibility of adverse effects from eating broccoli while breastfeeding hasn't been ruled out either. Pretty much the adverse effects of anything hasn't been ruled out while breastfeeding because unfortunately it hasn't been an area of interest until recently. There is an excellent book available called Medications and Mother's Milk by Thomas W. Hale and as far as I know, it is the most comprehensive guide to what drugs end up in breastmilk, how much end up in the breastmilk and how quickly it leaves the breastmilk (or not at all). Here is a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Medications-Mothers-Milk-Lactational-Pharmacology/dp/096362198X

leslie :-D · Jun 24, 2008

Leslie, I agree with you on SO many things, have frequently thought "YES!" to something you wrote, but this time I have to object to the tone of this post. Yes, all of this debate IS over the 'occasional' drink. Obviously, since no one is taking the position that frequent overindulgence is just fine. Your insinuation otherwise is unfair.
Those taking the position that the occasional drink IS fine, when timed appropriately, are trying (perhaps futiley) to clue in those who seem to think that under no circumstances should a woman ever ever take a sip of alcohol during the entire period of time she is breastfeeding, from birth through weaning.
It isn't that we're saying that drinking alcohol is of primary concern above a child's health. We ARE saying that the choice to have a drink now and then, keeping in mind the timing of the drink related to feeding times, isn't one that should label the mother some type of unfit parent. It's those kinds of judgments we fight against. The judgment already placed on this thread that "it's obvious that there's a problem" if the woman cannot absolutely abstain from alcohol during the time she's breastfeeding. Why must it be that she CANNOT abstain? Why insist that there's a "problem" with her alcohol intake if she chooses to drink occasionally according to recommended guidelines?
Fact is, it is FAR FAR better for a mother to breastfeed her baby while having that occasional drink than it is to NOT breastfeed her baby. And the message we fight against is the erroneous thinking that it's the opposite.
The little 'winky face' after the comment about being a non-drinker just further illustrates the judgmental attitude about those who exercise the choice TO drink. And choose to do so without harm to their children.

yep, i see your point and concerns.

and as i've stated, it's very hard to understand any of this when i don't drink.

i suppose it's the same type of bashing that smokers take...

or the overweight take.

there is prejudice, and i will be the first to admit to it.

my husband is an alcoholic (recovered at present) and i remember going through the roof the very first time my dtr asked for a sip of his beer.

my kids and i have gone to alanon, and they know the 12 steps in recovery.

am i comparing apples to apples?

i.

don't.

know...

quite honestly.

i've been a member on an's since 2000 and have gotten to observe other members on this board.

some used to casually write posts about having some sort of drink at 3/4:00 in the afternoon, and these posts would be on a daily basis.

when me or another member tried to discreetly point out what to us, was 'obvious', these telling posts from the other poster stopped publicizing her habits.

my point being, i do think many people have addictive habits that they won't admit to themselves.

when an infant becomes involved, yes- i do lose objectivity.

i still don't understand the uproar over the occasional drink.

but knowing my bias, i will do everything in my power to refrain from posting.

i provided a very telling link from pubmed.

that is sufficient for me.

with peace,

leslie

missjennmb · Jun 24, 2008

I am, as we speak, a breastfeeding mom (actually, as of this minute). I breastfed my toddler until about 15 mos, and my baby is 8 mos and still breastfeeding. I don't get sloshed, and on the rare occasions that I have had more than "a couple of drinks" I've not been around my girls at all (one very rare quick get away w/ hubby every year).

I'll be honest... I'm a lot more concerned about the lack of understanding of the importance of breastfeeding than I am about the alcohol debate. Its REALLY important to breastfeed if at all humanly biologically possible. It just has so many benefits for mom and baby far beyond the basic of being "mom formula". I know that its hard sometimes to consider doing "that" when breasts are considered dirty/taboo/sexual/whatever all our lives, but it really and truly is worth it. And yes, I'd rather see moms drink socially within reason and breastfeed than give formula.

Discussions like this drive new mothers away from breastfeeding because it seems to be "more trouble than its worth" but its really not. If you'll look at research in other countries that do not have the stigma against alcohol that the US has, you'll see much different conclusions.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

Exactly. the relevant question IS how much alcohol is passed into breast milk and if you look at the facts, they clearly state that alcohol is metabolized out of breast milk at the rate of a drink (one unit)per hour. So, if a nursing mother wants to have a drink that will be gone out of her system by the time she feeds her baby, why shouldn't she? There is 'nothing to risk', she isn't put her baby's life in danger for crying out loud, the baby is not going to be getting any of the aclohol. Thats like saying if you ever have a drink you should NEVER drive. How does that make sense? It doesn't, thats how. And, having one drink now and then doesn't illustrate a drinking problem at all. People are allowed to enjoy an occasional drink of wine or whatever and they shouldn't be labelled as having a problem. And, even if someone wants to go out for a big evening and get drunk, than as long as they understand when they can breast feed next for it to be safe and someone is caring for the child, why shouldn't they? Its more important that the mother is encouraged to breastfeed than being scaredmongered into never breastfeeding because people are being judgemental. They are not risking their childs life. So, to say the only safe amount is NO amount is not accurate. AS I mentioned previously, alcohol is NOT contra-indicated by the American Association of Pediatrics(within guidelines). One of the main reasons moms give up breastfeeding is because they are told what they can and cannot eat/drink/do/whatever. They need facts not personal opinions, so they can make an informed decision.

Whoah are you way off track here - I believe we agree it's how much and when to breastfeed safely. Nobody is scaring her, relax already! Oy! :madface: And to write that one of the main reasons mom's giving up breastfeeding, as you write, because they are told "what they can and cannot eat/drink/do/whatever.: is just silly, back that up with facts. There are many reasons, such as difficulty with latching on, lack of support, feeling as though there's not enough milk being produced, not having husband or S.O. help out with the task, taking meds that can't be taken while nursing, etc. There are LOTS of reasons, not just what you write (in your opinion), as the main reason.

Well in your response, it's unfair for you to cut off the rest of my quote:

"Mothers can minimize their infant's exposure to alcohol by consuming one alcoholic drink no sooner than two hours before breastfeeding. A breastfeeding mother who ingests several alcoholic drinks should postpone breastfeeding at least two hours for each drink. This means that a mother who takes three drinks should wait at least six hours after the last drink before she resumes nursing. The alcohol-containing breastmilk can be expressed and discarded. The alcohol will take the same amount of time to disappear from the breastmilk; expressing and discarding this milk is suggested only for the mother's comfort and for continued stimulation to maintain milk production. Infants who are hungry during the waiting period will have to be fed with previously collected and stored breastmilk or an acceptable alternative."

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutriti...es-06a-eng.php

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jun 24, 2008

I think this question needs to be individualized...if your friend wants to have a few drinks (1-2), she should pump and dump; the same way mom's do while taking ABX for breast infections....but for the duration of how long EOTH would be in her system and be passed through breast milk. However, if your friend is doing this to go party and drink a lot, I would start to worry about the things that come along with that and would hope that she would NOT sleep with her baby...

A drink or two here and there (like the occasional dinner party; not every other night) should be OK IMO.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

That doesn't just happen because someone's drunk.

BTW, it's a great thing to be able to nurse in a side lying position (with the baby in the center of the bed). The baby turns away when he/she is done. I slept with one eye open, but it was in a comfortable enough state so as to totally not awaken yourself or the baby. Plus who really sleeps all that well when a baby is nursing away anyway.... drunk or not. That would probably be an entirely new thread and discussion!

Wicked Wahine · Jun 24, 2008

I think this question needs to be individualized...if your friend wants to have a few drinks (1-2), she should pump and dump; the same way mom's do while taking ABX for breast infections....but for the duration of how long EOTH would be in her system and be passed through breast milk.

By breast infections, I assume you're talking about mastitis? If so, mom does not need to stop breastfeeding while treating the mastitis, even if she's on antibiotics. In fact, continuing to breastfeed is the best treatment (along with the abx if it's severe). And you don't need to pump and dump after having a drink, the alcohol does not stay in the milk. It takes a lot of calories and energy to make that milk, so it's best not to waste it unnecessarily.

I'm so glad this conversation is taking place, because there seems to be a lot of misinformation out there!