Alcohol & Breastfeeding

Breast feeding and alcohol don’t mix well. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby to drink. When you drink alcohol, it passes into your breast milk at concentrations similar to those found in your bloodstream. However, a newborn eliminates alcohol from his or her body only at only half the rate of an adult. So, alcohol accumulates in the blood of newborn and causes all sort of toxicity.

Research on how alcohol affects the babies:

Research suggests that breast- fed babies who are exposed to even one drink per day might have impaired motor development and changes in sleep pattern. It is a myth that alcohol increases milk production. Studies show that alcohol decreases milk production and that presence of alcohol in breast milk causes babies to drink about 20 percent less breast milk.

Do’s and Dont’s for Mothers who Drink Alcohol :

• It is a myth that pumping breast milk speed the elimination of alcohol from your body. If you choose to drink, avoid breast feeding un the il alcohol has cleared completely from your body. In that case consider having a drink just after breast feeding. So, that alcohol clears from your body till it is time for the next feed.
• Never share a bed or sofa if you have drunk any alcohol. Doing this has a strong association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Research shows that alcohol affects babies eat less, take less milk. Babies become drowsy fall asleep quickly. But then they also sleep for a shorter time. Alcohol in breast milk also hinders babies gross motor development, of affects liver of the babies.

So, it is wise to abstain from alcohol till you are breast- feeding your baby.