I Need a Drink!

Then have a drink. :-) If you just want one or two drinks, one usually does the trick after a 9 month dry spell then have one. Now if you are talking about more than 2 or heavy liquor - then I would pump and discard the milk.

Pump and Dump!
I was told that if you have a drink, after consuming it, pump and dump it. I did this after having a drink when my daughter was a few months old. I pumped enough for a few bottles prior to having my drink, because I was nervous too, and after having the drink, I pumped and threw it away. I did ask some of my friends if they had done this and they ALL HAD! I didn't do this very often, but, it was nice knowing there was an option if I did want to have a drink.

My doctor told me one glass of wine is fine. No need to "pump and dump" unless you drink more than that and even then, you probably only need to dump it once. Enjoy!

I guess what is concerning is that you say you really NEED some wine. From the way you wrote, it sounds like having drinks was maybe a regular and needed occurance prior to your pregnancy(?) You even remember the exact date that you last had a drink. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine from time to time, so long as it's not a dependent NEED.

Please know that I am not saying this out of condemnation, just concern. If you are stressed, there are other ways to relax... walking, soaking in the tub, etc. I'm so glad to hear that you are concerned most of all for your little one still, though. Just do your research and don't over indulge.

Blessings,
M.

There's nothing wrong with a small glass of wine once in a while when you are nursing!

Having *a* glass of wine or even beer won't hurt your baby at all. Neither of those things really has enough alcohol content to warrant concern. I usually drank my one glass immediately following a feeding so that the 'buzz' would be gone by the next feeding. Never pumped and dumped and all 3 of my kiddos did fine with it. (Obviously you'll want to pay close attention to how YOUR baby reacts to it at first just to be sure.)

I will warn you against anything with liquor in it, though. I made the mistake once of having a margarita the same way - drank it right after a feeding. My ds did NOT like it. :P He was fine, just really gassy and uncomfortable.

I know that alcohol and pregnancy/breastfeeding is considered taboo in our country, but it's not elsewhere. And so long as you're not getting drunk, your baby will be just fine. Actually, I would argue to say that he will be BETTER because his mommy will be more relaxed! So, go enjoy that glass of wine with dinner tonight!! :)

Alcohol is out of your breastmilk almost as fast as it is out of your blood - it metabolizes very quickly as most things go. My pediatrician told me to have a half-glass without worrying at all if I did it right after feeding my son, but I would still pump for one feeding, or at least have it after he went to bed when I knew it would be 8 hours or so before the next feeding.

L.,

Have the glass of wine. It won't hurt the baby and you DON'T need to pump to have it. The wine might make baby sleep better. Your doctor will tell you the same thing, so ask your peditrician if you're worried about it.
Cheers!
C.

There is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine. The nurse in the hospital told me (just hours after giving birth) that it was totally fine to drink a glass of wine while breastfeeding- she even said with a smirk that it might help a fussy baby sleep. You can always "pump and dump" but you only need to discard your milk until you stop feeling the effects of the alcohol. So mainly, if your "buzzin" (which I was on my first glass after not drinking for a whole year;-) dump until you don't feel the buzz anymore.

Dear L.,

You want a drink, not need a drink. There is a big difference
in the two. Remember that anything that goes into your body
also goes into your childs. That child should be the most im-
portant thing in your life, not the wine. If you need a drink
that bad then maybe you should be attending A.A. You have the
rest of your life to drink your wine. Your child is asking
for a year of your life. Think about it!

C.

L.,

One glass of wine should not be a problem. You can have a beer a day and that will help with your milk supply. If you plan on having more though, I have known women who pumped afterward.

Remember that everything in our body is a chemical process. Everybodys process is different. That's what makes some people lite weights when drinking and some kids maniacs when they drink juice. You really don't know what the effects will be. They could be slight but alcohol we know does cause behavioral problems for adults. You may only know if a little he recieved in breastmilk affected in months from now looking back...Considering if you absolutely have to take that chance I read in a magazine that their are some kind of tests or strips you can use in breastmilk to test the level of alcohol to make sure you have gave yourself enough time.Don't know anything more about them just that they exist.

Yes I agree, I did a breast feeding course before my first baby and the Lactation Consultant said "as long as you aren't 'buzzing' then the baby won't either". So as with every thing, do it in moderation. If you feel you want (and as a lot of others have said the word NEED here may indicate a problem - unless you were being sarcastic)to indulge a little more then plan it and build up a stock of your breast milk by pumping for a few days and getting enough for a few feedings. Then you pump and dump when you are "buzzing". But also remember when you are "buzzing" I hope there is some responsible person around helping you look after the baby, accidents can and will happen with someone if they are drunk, and you will never forgive yourself.
I do not advocate being drunk when looking after a little one, I think having the planning it idea (as in building up your milk supply before you drink will go along way in making you think it all through long and hard before you actually take a drink).
I would also like to say that I am glad you are obviously thinking of the well being of your child that goes a long way too.
I think a lot of other people on this website have said it all really, with of course their different points of view. Good luck

Honey, you don't even have to pump & dump to drink a glass of wine! I am an OB/Gyn nurse, and am breastfeeding my own baby.. and let me tell you.. I need a glass of wine about once a week! It's fine! It leaves your milk like it leaves your bloodstream. Don't even pump&dump. Just wait a couple of hours after you drink it, and you'll be fine. And very little alcohol actually gets into your milk supply anyway from one glass of wine. Trust me, your baby will be fine!!

Hi L.,

At a recent trip to babys r us i seen the most awesome thing. It is a box of test strips that check the alcohol level in breast milk! Im thinking if you pump and have enough milk stored you can test your fresh milk before you feed. Might be a hassel but im sure it would ease our worries, everyone needs a glass of wine sooner or later!! Good luck

My opinion- enjoy a glass!! Your milk matabilizes alchoal at the same rate as your blood- 1 dring per hr. So if you nurse then enjoy a glass of wine- it will be out of your system long before you nurse again. (assuming you are nursing every 2-3 hrs)

Have a glass of wine, mama, and don't worry about pumping. The general rule is if you are sober enough to drive you are sober enough to drink. Check out kellymom.com for more information on alcohol and nursing.

L.,

When I gave birth to my second child, now twenty months, I asked my doctor at my six week check up, to her I was going to a party, (actually new years), and she said it would be perfectly alright for me to have a quarter cup of champagne for toasting, and to just sip it along with water! I am not a heavy drinker to begin with, and so I felt comfortable knowing I had options! It tasted great!

Good Luck, and have a little drink!
Moderation is key!

You do not have to pump and dump! Your milk is too precious of a commodity! Just have a glass of wine and wait two hours before you nurse.With a single serving of wine less than one percent of the alcohal content even makes its way into your bloodstream, and after two hours it is negligable.There is no need to stress out about it. Enjoy your Vino!

I would be more concerned with why you think that you have to have a drink "I need a drink" is a strong thing to say. I hope that you have any issues under control. Ask yourself why you think that you can't give up alcohol while you are breast feeding? Best of luck on this issue

Pump out milk for 24 hrs after drinking, that's a bit excessive. I've heard lacatation consult. say that your body absorbs one serving of alcohol within an hour. You would only need to pump the milk before the next time you would nurse your baby. I would hope that you wouldn't be going on some binge, but a glass or two of wine should not be grounds for a pumpfest the next day.
If you are still nervous, call your area lactation consultant. I enjoy Cathy Clark(e) near N. Austin Medical Center. She's very helpful and knowledgeable.

I understand! I love wine! When I breastfed, my friend told me I should have a glass of wine while nursing. It helped me relax and my Dr. even said this was OK because it wasn't going into my breastmilk that quickly! It helped my milk come down as well. It's worth a try! But, just one glass!

My baby's one now, and weaning. Think I've lost my taste for it altogether. Haven't missed alcohol one drop (no pun intended). It is easier when you realize it won't help your baby or you be healthier or smarter or more beautiful in any way... So if you want it, (you don't NEED it) pump and dump. Why take a chance with that precious boy? Go for a walk or run to take the edge off. It's better for both of you.

Hi L....Have a glass of wine for goodness sakes. A big one and sip it and really enjoy it! Most doctors I asked about this say 10% gets into the breast milk if any. Just be responsible and only enduldge occassionally. take care

Hi L.
Congrats
My suggestion is to have A glass of wine with a friend, a good friend who will help with your baby.
Since it has been a while from your last drink, it could hit you like faster than you think.
So limit yourself at first, and always make sure you have a sober person to care for the baby.
Luck

I feel your pain. I didn't touch any alcohol once I found out I was pregnant and I have been nursing since he was born. (he is 5 months now) And good news....it is okay to have a glass of wine! Just have it right after you nurse so by the time you nurse again it won't be too bad. If you want, just pump that next one and toss it and give him a bottle of breast-milk. (if he take a bottle). And if you are really nervous, there is something you can by that will tell you if you have alcohol in your system still. I think you can get it a Babies R Us.
Good luck. Have the glass of wine and enjoy it. You deserve it every now and then.

I believe alcohol has a half life that is several days...but I am not sure about that. Do you know any lactation consultant? You know LLL leaders or something like that?

I'm also breastfeeding exclusively. The night that I was 6 weeks post due date and I was free again for my husband, I did have a small glass of wine. I only pumped out the first bottle afterward. This is the advice I heard. To be honest, I didn't notice any difference in our baby girl. She didn't seem sleepy or groggy or anything. I rarely rarely drink anything, and if so, it's just a glass of wine. I really don't think a small glass would do much harm. A century ago, they actually gave a little alcohol to calm babies! Of course, I disagree with this practice, but I don't think a little alcohol from the wine would do any harm. That first bottle pumped out should get some of it out of the system, I'd think. But this is simply my opinion based on medical advice I've heard. Maybe just ask your doctor about it and see what he/she thinks. =) Joyfully, L.'s Mommy.

It shouldn't hurt you or the baby! Just don't get drunk.

Take a drink :) If you really want some wine, it will NOT harm your baby...if it makes you feel better, you can either nurse and have the drink immediately following OR you could pump and dump. Good luck!

Check with your Dr.s office and they can let you know the safety of this for your child. However be care in saying I REALLY NEED A DRINK. Having one every once in awhile is one thing having to have one is another.

I'm fromEurope and after the 1st trimester, they feel it's oh to have a drink (wine 0 With dinnfer. Beer is recommended to help let down and milk production. Try to research some info online over there.

Try to choose a time when your son has a little more spacing between nursings (like in the evening after he goes to sleep. Then just after you stop nursing pour yourself a glass. If you have two hours in between there will be no harm. Even occaisionally if the timing is unexpectedly less you won't hurt your child with one glass of wine. Now, if you drink more than that I would reccomend the "pump and dump," but otherwise you are fine.

One funny warning...I did not drink the whole time I was pregnant and I had my first beer when my baby was 1 month old as he was sleeping a 3-4 hour space in the evening. Actually I only made it through half a beer because I was pretty buzzed off that 1/2 beer. Its been so long and your body chemistry is different right now so you may be a cheap drunk :)

I heard that..lol. Try switching to formula for the days you need a drink. Just have some on hand so that the baby is getting nutrients but not the alcohol. So when you drink, nurse her right before hand, then have your drink, and pump a little of it out every few hours and feed her bottles when she gets hungry..until you think the alcohol is out. Good luck

A glass of wine is fine while breast feeding, a small glass. I always use this rule of thumb, 1 hour. I will have a glass after I have fed so I know that I will have at least 2 hours before the next time that I have to feed. That is the easiest. I just always make sure to wait an hour after having that glass of wine before feeding again. No need to 'pump and dump'. Good luck, and I am sure that glass will taste oh so good ;) Santa Ema Merlot from Chile is one of my favs. They have it at HEB and Costco, really yummy and not too expensive- $12/bottle.

LOL! I am in your same situation (had my baby May 11th). We've been without alcohol for 9 months now...time to have a "grown-up" drink again. I am breastfeeding and I took classes on it before he was born and specifically asked about alcohol. The fact is alcohol flushes through your system faster than you think. If all you have is a glass of wine then you can honestly breastfeed your baby 2 hours afterwards and your baby won't get any alcohol from you. Basically for every drink you have, add 2 hours to the wait time (so 2 drinks = 4 hours). So if you're gonna party make sure you pump and dump for 24 hours. I've been using the 1 drink = 2 hours rule and it's worked out great. Good luck and I hope you enjoy that glass of wine soon!

Hi there, there is a test kit you can buy that will allow you to test your milk the next morning to see if the alcohal is out of your system yet. I am at work right now and don't remember the name of it, but I got at a speciality shop for new moms in the Rice Village area, I believe the shop is located on Rice at the stop sign before the light at the Rice stadium, anyway I'll try to get back with you to get you the name, but they are out there...Thanks for caring, some people don't:) God Bless, TammyT

the advice i was given. 1 beer 1 glass of wine 1 serving of any alcoholic beverage takes about 3 hours to get out of your system. alcohol is 'evaporated' when you breath. so after your 3hrs all the 'alcohol' in your system is gone even from your milk. although truth be told i have drank a glass of wine and nursed my son 8months old before the 3hr time was up and he was absolutely fine couldnt tell a differnce at all. good luck and enjoy your wine :~)

Hi L.. I took a breast feeding class before I had my daughter & they said a glass of wine was fine. No need to pump & dump. The alcohol leaves your breastmilk the way it leaves your bloodstream. Good rule of thumb.....if you can drive (truely), you can feed. Do feed right before you have your wine, don't get sloshed & you'll be fine. Enjoy it, but know that you dont' really NEED the alcohol, you just want it, & that's fine!

Girl, go ahead and have one or even two. After you nurse your baby to sleep have a drink or two since you probably won't be nursing for a few hours at least. I would do this on the weekends once my little guy was sleeping for longer stretches. By the time you nurse again your blood alcohol level will have decreased to a safe level. If you aren't comfortable with this, then pump some milk ahead of time and give him a bottle for his night feedings. Or, if you really want to have several drinks then pump and dump for 24 hours like you said. Hope this helps.

OMG! Whoever told you that you need to pump for 24 hours is crazy! First of all, if you just want one glass of wine that is fine without pumping. Here is what you do if you want more. Have as much as you want to drink, and then look at the clock after your last glass, and wait 2-3 hours (depending on how much you had to eat and drink), pump your milk out of both breasts, and then you are free to feed your baby when your milk replenishes (sp). I hope I helped, now go have a drink! :)

I read on Dr. Sears website that the baby only feels the effect of the alcohol as you feel it, and the liver will filter the alcohol out of your breast milk just as it filters your blood. So, if you choose to have a drink, have it immediately after you breast feed to allow the liver to process it out of your system. If you are still feeling the effects of the alcohol when it's time to feed again, supplement with a bottle of breast milk. But, hopefully that would not be the case. I agree with some of the others, do it in moderation with some common sense, and you and your baby will be fine.

You absolutely need a drink! :)

Yes, you can pump & dump if you have more than a little.

I don't have more information, but I know I saw that some moms had created / invented testing strips for breastfeeding. You could check your milk for alcohol content before breast-feeding or pumping. Pretty cool!

Congrats on your baby!
~R.

It is totally ok to have a glass of wine or even 2. La Leche League even says that you should follow the same guidelines as if you were going to drive a car. Depending on your weight, that could be 1 drink per hour. If you are unsure about the safety you should call Le Leche League. They would be able to give you the best information.

My doctor told me that as long as I don't get drunk, I can have a little and not worry about pumping. Enjoy it!!!

if you're going to have half a glass or 1 glass i say its ok my lactation nurse told me that. If you feel you need more than that pump before so that when he needs to nurse it will be ok. I needed a glass one day my father passed away and i was so overwhelmed that my husband call our lactation nurse and she went over this with me if you are still unsure give her a call Darla Cassel ###-###-#### or ____@____.com
hopes this helps

Hi I just wanted to let you know I had a glass or two of wine at my first wedding anniversary (with my 3 week old nursing son) he was fine and I didn't pump or anything. I don't think a little drink hurts. As all my 3 children are fine and I have had a little drink while nursing all three!! I didn't drink during the pregnancy but I think while nursing in moderation a small drink here or there shouldn't hurt!

girl....have that glass of wine. And don't worry about pumping. I never pumped with my kids after a glass of wine or a beer. Or if you are really worried about it.....have a glass of wine WHILE you are nursing during the evening (I know it sounds crazy!!). But The alcohol won't get into your blood that fast and it will most likely be gone by the next feeding.

Pump and dump doesnt work. I saw something on it on a myth type show. It said nursing mothers just shouldnt drink. My suggestion is realize that you dont NEED alcohol.

When you drink alcohol, your milk has the same level of alcohol as your blood. In other words, if you drink to the legal limit of .08, your milk still has a minuscule amount of alcohol in it (O'Doules has .6). The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers says that drinking alcohol in moderation is fine while breastfeeding, and I'm convinced. There's no reason you shouldn't have an occasional glass of wine while breastfeeding, and there is no need to pump and dump.

I just went thru a breastfeeding class and they told me that it depends on how much you drink. You don't have to pump and dump if you drink one glass, it is fine to still feed your baby. Basically they said if you feel it, the baby will feel it, otherwise you're fine.

If you do overdo it, just pump and dump the milk. They make strips that you can use to test your milk for alcohol so you know when you need to stop dumping.

I know what you mean. I couldnt breast feed so when i finally gave up at 6 weeks I got my drink on. Big mistake. waking up at 4 am to feed a baby feeling tipsy is a no go. havent had a drink since. make sure you have a back up plan for you baby. if your not going to drink that much then its not a problem. honstely i would call the pedi and ask them if pumping it out works. cheers!

oh my goodness, what are you waiting for? you have earned that glass of wine! i don't suggest drinking the whole bottle, but relax and enjoy yourself and your new baby!

Pump or nurse til you're empty, and then have 2 oz. It won't hurt you and by the time the baby nurses again, thew alcohol should be gone/absorbed. If you're not sure, dump the next batch.

I've actually looked this up and apparently your breastmilk works like your blood.. once it's out of your system (like you can't feel it) your milk is also fine.. in other words, no need to "pump and dump". Supposedly3-4 hours after should be good enough (assuming you only have one drink).
I've been pumping before I drink and using what I have pumped from before hand to feed with, a few hours late I'm good to go on as normal.

I used to just pump the one time after I drank a glass of wine and toss that. One small glass is not going to hurt. My midwife even suggested a glass of wine when I was going into premature labor to relax my body and help the contractions stop. I drank small glasses of wine occasionally while nursing both my girls and they are fine.

Just in case it would make you feel better when donating to the Mother's Milk Bank here in Austin they recommend you wait 12 hrs after alcohol before pumping milk for donation.

I agree with everyone else. 1 or 2 drinks won't hurt baby. I am nursing my 3rd child and have had alcohol, in moderation, with all 3 of them with no ill affect.

Good Luck.
J.

I know how you feel! 8 years ago I became pregnant right before my 21st birthday and couldn't drink, which I never was a drinker but when you turn 21 it's hard not to go out and have a drink! I will tell you wine is safe to drink in moderation. I would have a glass or two when I was breast feeding and would always feed first then have a glass. I would stay away from liquor. Wine actually has health benefits! Especially red wine. So in my opinion one or two glasses is safe.

Don't we all!!! Have the drink...or 2 for that matter, and don't even worry about pumping.

Congrats for your precious baby boy!!!

I would pump when I drank while breastfeeding. However, don't pour it down the drain. Freeze it and mark the bag with red and I would use that for diaper rashes and stuff. Works sooooo great. Didn't figure that one out until too late and ran out of milk. I think of all the breastmilk that went down the drain that I could desperately use now.

Enjoy!