Holiday Drinks and Breastfeeding

hello
I breastfed my 3 children exclusively each for 13 months and my last baby for 15 months. I never had one drink the whole time. I had girlfriends who did the pump and dump but they had a lot in freezer storage. I personally feel that if you don't have much stored up, you sacrfice and skip the alcohol altogether. Yes the alcohol does go into the breast milk. Wait until next CHristmas.

It depends alot on what you are drink, 2-3 wine coolers or egg nog, no problem, but 2-3 martini's on rocks I wouldn't recommend. I have 2 wine coolers and still nurse her, my LC said it would take about 5 to affect my supply.I will only have 1 drink in between nursing sessions so to space it out. I could never pump and dump, it woudl be to depressing to have to dump it.

Good for you for taking some time to enjoy yourself over the holidays. Just because you're nursing doesn't mean you have to sacrifice everything. I've been nursing now for 18 months, and if I cut out all drinks for that amount of time, I'd feel very deprived and start to resent the breastfeeding. There's nothing wrong with having a drink or two (or three on a "special" occasion). The alcohol filters through your body before it even reaches your breastmilk, so it's pretty much a low dose that makes it into the boobs. I've read that if you can feel it, it's best to hold off on nursing the babe for a bit. I've also read that it takes an hour or two for alcohol to even reach your breastmilk, so the best thing to do is to nurse your baby while drinking. It makes for some classic holiday pictures too.
Enjoy!

there's no need to pump and dump unless you're uncomfortable...the alcohol passes out of your milk in the same time whether you remove the milk or not...if you've got extra milk stored for a bottle or two...I would skip about two feedings (i'm guessing there's about 3-4 hrs at least between feedings) for the alcohol to pass...that is assuming you only have 2 or three glasses of wine or the equivilant...if you are still in doubt use the strips to determine if your milk is clear...have fun :)

I used to pump and dump, I would do that for about 2-3 pumping sessions and than go back to breast feeding.
The only problem with alcohol is that it can decrease your milk supply, so if your supply is already low, you might want to reconsider drinking more then a glass of wine...

I think all of your posts are right on track (1-2 drinks is really not a problem) - but don't forget, if you feel the need to pump&dump and reserved milk is low, you could always supplement with a bottle of formula (or do half formula, half breast milk). I think BF'ing is great, but its not like an occasional bottle of formula is evil. I really regret knocking myself out for the 11 months I breastfed - my son's life got off to a rocky start (born prematurely), and so his whole first year was quite stressful. Looking back, I wish I just relaxed and took advantage of my spouse or others covering a few more feedings....

From the advice of a Board Certified Lactation Consultant - Go ahead and enjoy! The rule is that you should drink responsibly at a rate of a drink an hour. You can still breastfeed - no need to pump and dump. The alcohol in small quanities will not hurt your son. The alcohol will change the taste of your breast milk so he may not nurse as long as normal or make a face. You can always pump just to be cautious but you can still save the milk just label it with the date so you remember that the taste may be different if he does take that future bottle as easily. Who knows her may not be bothered by the different taste. Also it is a good idea to have a drink right after you nursed so it has the most time to be absorbed by the next feeding.
Have a good time! I actually nursed my daughter for 18 months without having a drink during that time BUT I wasn't aware of the little impact a drink or 2 had on nursing :0)
Have a great holiday!!
S.
BSN, RN, IBCLC

You will not intoxicate your child. Less than 1% of the alcohol even makes it to your milk. No need to pump and dump. I used to pump and dump with my first child, but I'm much more lenient with my second, now that I've done my research.
As long as you don't get stumbling drunk, please don't worry and enjoy yourself. It doesn't sound like you drink in excess or everyday either! Have fun!

I checked into this when we baptized our daughter. Nurse and pump before you will have a drink. Then pump later and dump it. The alcohol will only be in your milk in a small amount if you drink very lightly and only stays as long as itis in your body. If you plan right, you will only have to dump once. Of course, if you are looking to have a large number of drinks, then you'll want to skip for a while. I was told 1 or 2 over the course of 4 or 5 hours would be okay but I pumped and dumped once anyway.

Hi K.,
It is Christmas, enjoy yourself! I found that I could have a couple of drinks on a special occassion and my girls were fine. I would nurse immediatly before hand, have a drink follow it up with 2 glasses of water and have another drink an hour or 2 later. Any more than 2 drinks and I would pump & dump, as heart breaking as it is!! Hope this helps!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Definitely don't pump and dump!! Here's the thing: alcohol leaves your breast milk the same way it leaves your blood, it metabolizes and disappears. I think the amount in breast milk is very minimal. I have had a beer and fed my babe (5 months also) to no ill effect. I think if you have 2 or three drinks, give your babe a bottle in the midst of your buzz and then pump when you don't feel so much of the alcohol's effect, your milk should be fine. That's what I'm doing! whoo!! Happy Holidays!!

Here is some info from kellymom http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html

Looks like as long as you are not going to be attending a frat party;) it is fine to enjoy a few drinks, no need to pump and dump. Enjoy your holidays.

it takes about 2 hrs for what you imbibe to get into your blood stream so if you feed right as you are going out and then dump the next lot 2-3 hrs later - then it takes about another 3 hrs for the alcohol to dissipate - so pump and dump when you get home.

We just talked about this at LaLecheLeague. Check out their site or kellymom.com for info.

I wish I could remember what was said, but it was more than I thought. I know with my son, I would have a glass of wine and inevitably he needed to nurse right after. I think the rule is if you're tipsy, you shouldn't nurse. Check out the resources above for definitive info.

I am pretty sure that 2 or 3 at this stage is not a great idea. If you are feeding every 3 hours, its best to have your drink right after the last feeding so that you finish in enough time for it to get through the breast milk so that the next feeding is as free of alcohol as possible. Pump and Dump is a myth, alcohol stays in the milk for a few hours - just like in your blood or urine, so pumping and dumping is not necessary unless you are going to supplement a feeding and don't want to get engorged. If you really want to drink more than a couple, I would suggest giving the babe a bottle of your stored breast milk, and then dumping the next feeding. Either press through, or pump so you aren't uncomfortable.

you should be ok with 2 maybe 3 drinks. and as for the strips they do work all you do is put a couple of drops of milk on the strip. well good luck and happy holiday's

Hey K., I've looked this up online before and read that your body with metabolize the alcohol in around 3-4 hours time, and therefore not pass much onto your child after that. So, as long as you plan well, you may not have to use a bottle at all (depending on how often your son eats) or just one. I was going to do this for a weekend with my girlfriends, but then found out I was pregnant again! :) So, I'm still waiting to have that holiday drink! Maybe next year. Enjoy!

Your best best is to drink right ater pumping/breastfeeding. That way, by the time you have to do it again, the alcohol will be out of your system. It only stays in your system for an hour or so, especially if you're only having one drink.

I've breastfed three boys and have worked with a bunch of lactation consultants, etc.

1. Stick with wine or beer.

2. No need to pump and dump unless your instincts tell you to.

3. If you feel the effects of alcohol, then the baby will.

4. I would recommend nursing, goto the party (you normally have 2-4 hours depending if he long he can go between one feeding).

5. Relax and enjoy yourself....you've been pregnant for SO long and now breastfeeding him (which many, many babies never get the chance).

I usually just limit myself to two drinks and it has never been a problem. I just nurse my baby first and make sure I'm not feeling the alcohol. As long as you aren't feeling it, anything passed to the baby is going to be nominal.

I'm sorry but I dissagree. Any amount of Alcohol in my breast milk to my baby is not exceptable. Pump and dump and bottle feed if you must, or come up with some good recipes for non alcoholic drinks so you don't feel like you are missing out. Have fun, but be safe. Best wishes!

just dont get too crazy and you're fine. according to what i've read, approx 1/400 of the alcohol you ingest makes iot to your breastmilk starting 30 mins after you drink, peaking at 90 mins, and basically gone by around 3 hours. i never worry about having a drink or two.

I was told by my lactation counselor to have only 2 alcoholic drinks per week. That is only wine and beer. She said if I have something stronger, like a margarita, that I should pump and dump.

When I was breastfeeding, I was told by the lactation consultant that the percentage of alcohol in your breastmilk relates directly to the amount in your blood stream. So, if you feel the alcohol at all you are passing it on. The way I did it was to have a drink when I first arrived at a party and then switch to water (or something non-alcoholic). If you are going to be at the party for a long time, you probably have time for 2 drinks. If you choose to have anything stronger than wine or beer, then have less of it (like ask the bartender to make it weaker than usual or put a lot of ice in it).

Hey babe- only advice I have that I haven't seen mentioned yet is:

Enjoy your drinks but when you see holiday punch that could have who-knows-what-or-how-much in it, either don't drink it or ask the person who made it (if you trust them) what and how much is in it, and tell them you're nursing so they'll be honest. Stuff like glugg, big strong holiday punch, can be super-strong and ya don't know what you're drinking.

The new show "The Doctors" had a special about this topic a week ago. Nursing moms can have an occasional glass of wine or 2 if she doesn't nurse for 12 hours. Otherwise the baby can have alcohol ingested problems. Pump enough to carry you over those 12 hours and don't chance having 3-4 drinks. It's not necessary anyway.