Can you breastfeed if you dont feel drunk anymore?

Understanding Alcohol and Breastfeeding
The question of whether a mother can breastfeed after consuming alcohol is a significant concern for many new parents. The primary consideration is the safety of the infant, as alcohol does pass into breast milk, albeit in small amounts.
Timing is Key
Health experts generally recommend that breastfeeding mothers wait a certain period after drinking before nursing. According to guidelines, after consuming one standard drink, it is advisable to wait about two hours before breastfeeding. If a mother has had two drinks, the waiting period extends to four to five hours. This is crucial because even if a mother no longer feels drunk, alcohol can still be present in her system and, consequently, in her breast milk.
The Effects of Alcohol on Breast Milk
When a mother drinks alcohol, it enters her bloodstream and subsequently her breast milk. The concentration of alcohol in breast milk is similar to that in the mother’s blood, which means that even small amounts can affect the infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that the safest option for breastfeeding mothers is to avoid alcohol altogether.
Feeling Sober vs. Alcohol in the System
It’s important to note that feeling sober does not necessarily mean that all alcohol has been metabolized. The body processes alcohol at a relatively consistent rate, and factors such as body weight, metabolism, and the amount of food consumed can influence how quickly alcohol is eliminated from the system. Therefore, a mother should not rely solely on her feelings of sobriety to determine whether it is safe to breastfeed.
Best Practices for Breastfeeding Mothers
For mothers who choose to drink, planning ahead can help mitigate risks. Some mothers opt to pump and store breast milk before consuming alcohol, allowing them to feed their baby with alcohol-free milk during the waiting period. This approach ensures that the infant receives safe nutrition while the mother enjoys a drink.
In conclusion, while it is technically possible to breastfeed after drinking alcohol, it is essential to consider the timing and the potential effects on the infant. Waiting the recommended hours after drinking is crucial to ensure that the breast milk is safe for the baby. Ultimately, the decision should be made with careful consideration of both the mother’s and the baby’s health.

How much alcohol is passed through breast milk?

When a lactating woman consumes alcohol, some of that alcohol is transferred into the milk. In general, less than 2 percent of the alcohol dose consumed by the mother reaches her milk and blood. Alcohol is not stored in breast milk, however, but its level parallels that found in the maternal blood.

How to know if baby got alcohol from breast milk?

If your baby consumes breast milk with alcohol in it, it may have negative effects on your baby, including:

• Increased crying.
• Increased arousal.
• Decreased milk intake.
• Decreased weight gain.
• Increased REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep when their brain is more active)

What happens to Undrunk breast milk?

If the fresh, refrigerated or thawed milk has been warmed up but your baby changes her mind, you don’t need to discard it unless it has been in contact with bacteria from your baby’s mouth. You can keep it in the refrigerator for 4 hours or more. Use it for the next feeding; otherwise you’ll need to throw it out.

Should I still breastfeed if I don’t feel good?

Can I Still Breastfeed if I’m Sick? In most cases, yes — most illnesses are not dangerous to your baby. If you aren’t feeling well, remember that as your body makes antibodies to fight an illness, those antibodies go to the baby through your breast milk.

Can you breastfeed if you don’t feel drunk?

“If you’re feeling sober enough to drive, you’re usually sober enough to breastfeed,” Bechhold said. Some new mothers may have a lower tolerance to alcohol after abstaining from drinking during their pregnancy.

Can I breastfeed when I’m sober?

If you are sober enough to drive you should be sober enough to breastfeed. If consumed in large amounts alcohol can cause drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in the infant, and the possibility of decreased milk-ejection reflex in the mother.

How do I know if my baby is milk drunk?

Milk Drunk: when a baby is so well fed and happy that they pass out in your arms, give a tinge of a smile, and have little drops of milk dripping down their face.

How long does nicotine stay in breastmilk?

Moreover, breastfed infants exposed to smoking or snus by their nursing mothers are exposed to high levels of nicotine through the breast milk. Nicotine may remain in the breast milk for 12.5 hours after the last snus dose and 4 hours after the last cigarette.

How long after getting drunk can you breastfeed?

Breastfeeding mothers who have consumed alcohol can wait 2 hours (per drink) before breastfeeding. This time will allow alcohol levels in her breast milk to go down. If the mother cannot wait to feed her infant, she can feed milk that was previously expressed when the mother was not drinking.

How long does it take for breast milk to be free of alcohol?

If you drink alcohol, wait two hours for every standard drink before breastfeeding. One standard drink – wait two hours. Two standard drinks – wait four hours. If you are planning to drink for a special occasion, express milk beforehand and feed this to your baby while there is alcohol still in your system.