Alcohol and breastfeeding

Hi Mrs G,

We've moved your thread into our drop-in clinic - breastfeeding board, so you can get the advice and support you need.

Maybe a glass, but definitely not a full bottle

Why on earth would you want to risk your baby's health and safety by drinking wine when you're breastfeeding???

Is that a serious question? Breastfeed and drink a WHOLE bottle of wine? Gosh! That’s crazy and very dangerous in so many ways… and I was quite relaxed when breastfeeding, but would never drink a whole bottle of anything. I breastfed both my children for a whole year and chose not to take anything for the entire pregancies plus first six months of their lives (when they only had breast milk and nothing else), but after my babies started eating and drinking I would have the odd glass or two.

Hi, on a personal matter, no way would I even have a sip of alcohol while feeding my baby, taking care of my baby or even driving come to that matter. Not a sip.

As for a bottle, I’d be raising concerns about that.

mare you asking out of curiosity or that you are thinking about doing it?

Hi,

If this was France they would say this was a crazy question, drink what you want in moderation, eat soft cheese and soft-boiled eggs and drink unpasteurised milk.

And the funny thing is they have the same or slightly lower rate of infant mortality than we do. Belgium, Italy and Spain which all have a more relaxed approach to motherhood than we do all have significantly lower infant mortality rates.

We really are a $**tty country to new mothers, guilt-tripping them about everything on little to no evidence.

If you really want a glass, have one after a feed and a couple of hours before the next feed and don't worry about all the saints and people who are just waiting to tell you everything you are doing wrong.

Avoid smoking at all, ever, and make sure you don't fall into the isolation trap where you have a drink because you have no adult company for most of the day. Get out of the house, meet people and crack on at being the best mum you can be.

I was told by a professional it was fine which is why I was wondering what others do

I'm simply asking because like I said in post the breastfeeding consultant told me it's absolutely fine and was just curious what others think

I would and did drink allsorts while breastfeeding.

the concern isn't really the amount of alcohol more who's looking after the baby.

yes a couple of glasses of wine is fine even baby on boob and glass in other hand!

but if I was going to drink a whole bottle I would have a

someone else looking after the child that night.

Hi

When I was BF I would feed after a couple of drinks after a night out . The intention was I would express off the toxic stuff but that didn’t happen .

A whole bottle , no .

In addition , my ex OH was in charge of the baby’s care that night and co- sleeping was not an option those evenings

Exactly what the breastfeeding consultant said. Apparently only 2% reaches your milk

What elouise and I think Harri said. I don’t drink at all but I agree with their comments. It’s nobody’s business what you do anyway . However if you are concerned, perhaps express before drinking ! x

I wouldn’t ever drink a full bottle of wine on my own, you wouldn’t/couldn’t be in a fit state to properly look after a young baby or child after drinking that much alcohol. Stick to a glass or two max.

They do say not much goes into your actual milk supply.

That said I wouldn’t drink alcohol with a newborn. I think mine was nearly two when I had a night out I did drink lots and came home and fed her I did this twice throughout my 3 years of feeding her and both were within months of her turning two.