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Alcohol and breast-feeding: when you drink alcohol, it passes into your bloodstream and reaches your mother’s milk. The concentration of alcohol in the milk will be similar to that in the mother’s blood. As a result, if a mother breastfeeds shortly after drinking alcohol, she could pass it on to her baby.
Alcohol can affect the milk ejection reflex. This crucial process enables mothers to produce and offer milk to their babies. Heavy and regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can slow down or even prevent this reflex, making breastfeeding difficult and less effective.
Alcohol has also been shown to affect milk production. Excessive consumption can lead to a reduction in the quantity of milk produced by the mother, which is obviously not ideal for the baby, who depends entirely on this milk for his nutritional needs during the first few months of life.
When babies ingest milk containing alcohol, they run a number of health risks. Infants’ organs, particularly the liver, are not yet sufficiently developed to metabolise alcohol effectively. Here are some of the possible consequences
Babies exposed to alcohol through breast milk may become drowsier than usual. This not only disrupts their sleep patterns, but can also affect their ability to eat properly, leading to a vicious circle.
Because they become sleepy, babies may suckle less frequently, which means they take in less of the food they need to grow. Insufficient feeding can lead to nutritional deficiencies and hinder the baby’s optimal growth.
Continued exposure to alcohol through breast milk can potentially lead to long-term problems such as cognitive and behavioural dysfunction. Although these effects are generally associated with heavy and regular alcohol consumption, it is essential not to minimise the possible dangers.
For those who wish to drink alcohol while continuing to breastfeed, certain recommendations can help to minimise the risks to the baby:
After consuming alcohol, it is advisable to wait at least two hours before each breast-feeding session. This allows the body to metabolise the alcohol and limits the amount passed on to the baby through breast milk.
If you plan to drink, it can be useful to plan certain processes such as expressing milk before consuming alcohol, then using it to feed your baby at the next meal. This avoids the baby’s exposure to alcohol altogether.
Limiting consumption to a moderate amount, such as a glass of wine or a beer, considerably reduces the risks associated with alcohol and breastfeeding. This method ensures that the concentration of alcohol in the milk remains minimal.
Being a new mum can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling advice from different sources about your diet and habits. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate through this period:
It’s always best to consult your doctor or a lactation consultant for personalised advice. These experts will be able to assess each individual situation and provide suitable levels of precaution.
Having a support system around you, including family and friends, is a great help. They can provide assistance, making it less stressful to deal with your drinking.
Always keep bottles of expressed milk available – this will be useful in unexpected situations where you might drink alcohol, always ensuring your baby’s optimum health and well-being.
In short, there are various aspects to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding that you should be aware of to ensure your baby’s safety and good health. Every mother should carefully evaluate the information provided to make informed choices. Always involve your health professionals in this process to maximise the benefits for your baby’s overall health and development.
PlusBaby resources are intended to provide general information and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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