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Drinking and Breastfeeding — Is it OK?

Marcie Jones Leave a Comment

I was wondering if it’s possible to drink once in while, while breastfeeding? I heard that you can pump before drinking to have the milk and then again the next morning and throw that away?”

Yes, you can.

It is possible for a breastfeeding mom to have a night out! Alcohol does come through breast milk in small amounts, appearing about an hour after you begin to drink and for two to three hours after you stop. But there’s no need to dump any milk, because as your body processes the alcohol in your bloodstream, the amount in your milk decreases also. So if you’re going to go out, pump and store milk for a caregiver to give the baby while you’re away, at least an ounce for every hour you’ll be gone. You’re clear to breastfeed again when you feel sober. If you’re having a drink at home, the best time to have it is after you put your baby down for his first stretch of sleep for the night. Don’t bring baby into bed with you to feed if you’ve been drinking.

Experts recommend that nursing moms limit themselves to no more than two drinks a day, because higher amounts have been linked to developmental delays in infants.

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Filed Under: Baby (General) Tagged With: alcohol, breastfeeding

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