Let’s have a little chat about booze & breastfeeding.  I know, I know…it’s not even 10AM!  But as we prepare to ring in the New Year many of you will be considering having a drink or two this evening…and guess what?  It’s OK!!

It always surprises me when a new Mama seeks “pump & dump” advice; not realizing that she can have a glass of wine or when someone comes up to me at a gathering and asks “is it OK if you drink that since your breastfeeding?”  Having a drink or two while breastfeeding is perfectly fine, in fact, I encourage it.

Here’s why:

Most mothers abstain from alcohol for the duration of their pregnancy…baby arrives…parenthood +/or breastfeeding can be stressful (big shocker!). The thought of abstaining from alcohol for another (however many months you plan on breastfeeding) is unappealing & so you consider the alternative.  Let’s get one thing straight…It is better to have a drink every now & then, than to give up breastfeeding!!

Don’t get me wrong, I am not encouraging you to drown your stressors away , I’m a huge fan of “everything in moderation”.  Here’s a little rule of thumb from the folks over at KellyMom: “In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom’s blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there is considerable variation from person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same time period, mom’s body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.). Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so are your milk alcohol levels.” Therefore, there is no need to “pump & dump”; except of course as a comfort measure.

If you choose to drink alcohol, please remember first & foremost that you are responsible for a child(ren).  Please drink responsibly.