Can a breastfeeding mother drink a little alcohol? (Alcohol and Breastfeeding) Let's find out exactly about this

It's a wonderful time when a new baby joins the family. But at the same time, your body and your entire life feel a big change, right? In the midst of this busy life, if you want to have something like a glass of wine at a small party with friends, you must be wondering, "Can I do this because I'm breastfeeding?" We all know that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is dangerous for the baby. But what about during breastfeeding? Let's talk about this in detail today.

Things we need to think about first about alcohol and breast milk

Simply put, if you drink alcohol, the alcohol will pass into your breast milk. The alcohol levels in your breast milk usually peak between 30 and 60 minutes after you finish drinking. After that, it can take about 2-3 hours, or even longer, for the alcohol to leave your body.

But this time is not the same for everyone. The amount of alcohol that gets into your breast milk and how long it stays in your body depends on several factors:

• Your baby's age: A newborn baby's liver is not yet fully developed, so it is very difficult for them to eliminate alcohol from their bodies. It takes about twice as long as an adult. This ability gradually increases as the baby gets older.
• Your body weight: If you are overweight, alcohol can leave your body relatively quickly.
• Amount of alcohol consumed: The more alcohol you drink, the longer it takes for it to leave your body.
• Whether to take it with food : If you take alcohol with certain foods, the rate at which it is absorbed into the body decreases slightly.

What are the effects of alcohol on the baby and mother?

Even if you think "it's okay to have a little drink every now and then," it can have some effects on both you and your baby. The risk is especially high if you drink a lot of alcohol and frequently.

First of all, excessive alcohol consumption can reduce your ability to produce milk and interfere with the milk ejection reflex .

In addition, let's look at the possible effects on the baby of drinking breast milk containing alcohol in this table.

So, can a breastfeeding mother still drink a little alcohol occasionally?

This is a question that many people have. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics say that drinking very small amounts (such as one standard drink) occasionally is not proven to cause significant harm to a baby. But the words "small amounts" and "occasionally" are important here.

If you decide to drink alcohol, be very careful about these things for the safety of your baby:

• Wait until your baby is at least 2 months old: If possible, it's best to avoid alcohol completely until your baby is at least 2 months old (8 weeks old), because at that time, a baby's liver is very immature.
• Breastfeed before drinking: If you are planning to drink alcohol, breastfeed your baby well before you do so. This will give you some time for the next feeding.
• Express your milk: If possible, express some milk before drinking alcohol and store it in a clean bottle in the refrigerator. You can then feed your baby that milk until the alcohol has cleared from your system.
• Limit the amount: Limit your drinking to one standard drink.
• Timing is important: Wait at least 2 hours after drinking alcohol before breastfeeding your baby again. If you have two drinks, you should wait at least 4-5 hours.
• Drink with food: Eat a meal while drinking alcohol, or drink something like a fruit drink.
• Don't breastfeed if you are very sick: If you are very sick, don't breastfeed your baby until he is completely sick. Also, don't sleep with your baby. This is because there is a high chance that the baby will be in danger if he is very sick.

Is it true that drinking alcohol increases milk supply?

There is a belief among some of us, especially those who drink beer, that milk flow better. But in reality, that is a complete myth.

Is it okay to pump and dump milk after drinking alcohol? (Pumping and Dumping)

This is also something that many people do. When they pump and dump their milk after drinking alcohol, they think that the next milk that comes out will be clean. But that's not the case.

Think about it, this is not like draining a water tank. Breast milk is made from your blood. So until your blood is purified, alcohol will also be added to the newly formed milk. So the alcohol in your body will not be quickly eliminated just by pumping out the milk. Time is the only solution.

However, if your breasts are full and painful, you can express some milk to relieve the pain. But do not give that milk to your baby.

Ultimately, whether or not you drink alcohol while breastfeeding is a personal decision. As a new mom, you need to take care of yourself. It's important to take some 'me time' and talk things over with your husband and family. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You can also choose a tasty non-alcoholic drink (mocktail) instead of alcohol. Your happiness and the health of your baby are the most important things.