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<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Alcohol

Can I drink alcohol when I'm breastfeeding?


Alcohol should be avoided during breastfeeding, particularly in the first month, when breastfeeding is being established.

If it is not possible to abstain from alcohol, the limit should be one to two standard drinks occasionally. Binges of alcohol should be avoided.

See also the brochure 'When You Drink, So Does Your Baby' on the Health Education website (www.healthed.govt.nz)

If I want to drink alcohol what can I do to avoid exposing my baby to it? / When can I breastfeed my baby again after drinking alcohol?


If they wish to drink moderately mothers can avoid exposing their babies to alcohol by waiting until the alcohol levels in their breastmilk have dropped.

The timeframe can vary between women. An example is that if a 61 kg woman consumes one standard drink, it will take one hour and 40 minutes until the zero level in milk is reached. Therefore it is recommended to wait between two to three hours before resuming breastfeeding.

An infant needing to be fed during this time can be given expressed breast milk that is free from alcohol. It may be necessary to express breast milk for comfort and to maintain milk supply. In this case, the alcohol-exposed milk should be discarded.

When moderate to high intakes of alcohol are consumed, the alcohol levels will be higher in a mother's breastmilk than in her blood. At lower alcohol intakes, blood and breast milk levels are similar. The level of alcohol in the blood, and breast milk peaks after about 30 to 60 minutes.

Alcohol will return from breast milk in the breast to the blood supply over time without emptying the breasts. Emptying the breast (pumping and dumping) does not increase the speed of elimination of alcohol either from breast milk or from the body as a whole.

Is stout good for the nursing mother?


There is no good evidence that alcohol increases breast milk supply. The belief that stout is a good iron source for the nursing mother is unfounded.

What other factors should I take into account if I drink alcohol when I'm breastfeeding?


If you are consuming alcohol during breastfeeding, the immediate concern should be the safety of the baby. The baby may be at risk of accidents, such as being dropped or rolled on during sleep, and at risk of nutritional deficiency.

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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2008


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