Does alcohol in breastmilk affect baby?

The Impact of Alcohol in Breast Milk on Infants
The question of whether alcohol consumption affects breastfed infants is a significant concern for many new mothers. As the understanding of maternal health evolves, so too does the guidance surrounding alcohol use during breastfeeding.
Alcohol Transfer to Breast Milk
Research indicates that alcohol does indeed pass into breast milk, albeit in relatively small amounts. When a breastfeeding mother consumes 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, meaning that if a mother drinks a glass of wine, her breast milk will contain a comparable level of alcohol. This transfer is particularly concerning given that infants have immature livers, which makes them less capable of metabolizing alcohol effectively.
Recommendations from Health Experts
Health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend that breastfeeding mothers either abstain from alcohol or limit their intake significantly. The CDC states that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. While some sources suggest that consuming a small amount of alcohol—such as one drink—may not pose significant risks, the consensus leans towards caution.
Potential Effects on Infants
The effects of alcohol on infants can vary based on several factors, including the amount consumed and the timing of breastfeeding. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to decreased milk supply and may also affect the baby’s sleep patterns, growth, and overall development. Moreover, alcohol can interfere with the milk ejection reflex, potentially reducing the amount of milk available to the baby.
Timing and Management Strategies
For mothers who choose to drink, timing can be crucial. Experts suggest that if a mother consumes alcohol, she should wait at least two hours before breastfeeding to allow her body time to metabolize the alcohol. However, the practice of “pumping and dumping”—expressing milk after drinking to remove alcohol from the milk—is not effective, as the alcohol will still be present in the milk until it is metabolized by the mother.
Conclusion
In summary, while occasional moderate drinking may not pose a significant risk to breastfed infants, the safest approach is to avoid alcohol altogether during breastfeeding. The potential for alcohol to affect an infant’s development and health, combined with the challenges of metabolizing alcohol in their immature systems, underscores the importance of caution. Mothers are encouraged to consult healthcare providers for personalized advice and to consider the well-being of their infants when making decisions about alcohol consumption.

How early in pregnancy does alcohol affect the baby?

There is no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a person knows they are pregnant. Alcohol use in the first 3 months of pregnancy can cause the baby to have abnormal facial features.

What happens if you drink alcohol while pregnant but didn’t know?

Didn’t know you were pregnant? While no amount or type of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, serious harm is unlikely if you drank before you knew you were pregnant. The most important thing is to stop drinking alcohol when you find out you are pregnant.

What happens if a woman drinks her own breast milk?

However, it’s “perfectly fine for mothers to drink their own breast milk” as long as they follow the same precautions she takes to keep her baby’s milk safe, such as sterilizing breastfeeding equipment and storing milk properly.

What happens if your partner drinks your breast milk?

HIV and other infectious diseases can enter your breast milk and pass on to your partner. 6 Some sexually transmitted diseases, including herpes and syphilis, can also spread through breastfeeding if you have active sores on your breasts, nipples, or areola. 9 Your partner should be aware of any risks involved.

How can I breastfeed my boyfriend but not pregnant?

Inducing lactation in people who aren’t pregnant requires medication that mimics hormones your body makes during pregnancy. Suckling from the nipple can initiate lactation, either with a breast pump or by a baby.

Can you get fetal alcohol from breastfeeding?

Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which describes the range of complex physical, mental, and behavioural disabilities that can occur. Although alcohol exposure through the consumption of breast milk does not cause FASD, it can impact central nervous system development vii.

How much alcohol will contaminate breast 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. That means that as long as the mother has substantial blood alcohol levels, the milk also will contain alcohol.

How many pumps does it take to get alcohol out of breast milk?

No. If you have one alcoholic drink and wait two hours to feed your baby, you don’t need to pump and dump. And if engorgement and milk supply are not an issue, you can just wait for the liquor to metabolize naturally. Alcohol doesn’t stay in breast milk, and pumping and dumping doesn’t eliminate it from your system.

What can happen to the baby if the mother drinks alcohol?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birthweight. It can also affect your baby after they’re born. Drinking during pregnancy can cause your baby to develop a serious life-long condition called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

What happens if my baby drinks breast milk with alcohol?

When a person drinks, a small amount of alcohol passes through the blood into breast milk. Regular exposure to too much alcohol can affect a baby’s growth, development and sleep. The baby might seem drowsy and weak and have unhealthy weight gain. Alcohol also can affect the ability to safely care for a baby.