How many units of alcohol can you drink while breastfeeding?

Understanding Alcohol Consumption While Breastfeeding
The question of how many units of alcohol a breastfeeding mother can safely consume is a nuanced one, with varying recommendations from health organizations and experts. While some suggest moderation, others advocate for complete abstinence.
General Guidelines
Most health authorities, including the NHS, recommend that breastfeeding women should not regularly exceed 14 units of alcohol per week. This guideline is designed to minimize health risks associated with alcohol consumption. To put this into perspective, one unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10ml of pure alcohol. For example, a single 25ml shot of spirits like vodka or gin counts as 1 unit.
Impact on Breastfeeding
Research indicates that consuming one standard drink per day is generally not harmful to a nursing baby, especially if the mother waits at least two hours after drinking before breastfeeding or pumping. This waiting period allows the body time to metabolize the alcohol, reducing its concentration in breast milk.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises caution, suggesting that while occasional drinking may not pose significant risks, it is still preferable to avoid alcohol altogether during breastfeeding.
The Debate on Safety
Despite some evidence suggesting that moderate alcohol consumption may not adversely affect breastfeeding, many experts emphasize that there are no completely safe levels of alcohol. A 2023 policy brief from the World Heart Federation highlights that those who choose to drink should aim to reduce their intake as much as possible.
Moreover, the CDC notes that while occasional drinking may not harm the baby, the effects of alcohol can vary based on individual circumstances, including the mother’s metabolism and the timing of breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, while the consensus leans towards moderation—allowing for up to 14 units per week—the safest approach for breastfeeding mothers is to limit or avoid alcohol altogether. If a mother chooses to drink, waiting a couple of hours before nursing can help mitigate potential risks to the infant. Ultimately, the decision should be made with careful consideration of the available guidance and personal circumstances.

What happens if I breastfeed after 2 drinks?

Alcohol can pass into your breastmilk and then into your baby when you feed them. An occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby especially if you wait at least 2 hours after having a drink before feeding.. Regularly drinking above the recommended limits can be harmful for you and your baby.

How many units of alcohol can I have while breastfeeding?

NHS guidance states that alcohol consumption for all adults, including breastfeeding women, shouldn’t exceed 14 units spread over a week . One unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol. So, for example: Single 25ml shot of spirit like vodka or gin = 1 unit.

How do I know if my baby is affected by alcohol in breastmilk?

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 is 14 units of alcohol?

The likelihood of alcohol damaging your health depends on how much you drink: 14 units is the equivalent of 6 pints of beer (4% ABV), 6 medium size glasses of wine (13.4% ABV) or 7 double measures of spirits (40%). If you drink less than 14 units a week, this is considered low-risk drinking.

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.

What is the hardest week of breastfeeding?

moms and babies have to learn together.” The first week is always the hardest, but by the second week, most moms have rebounded from their engorgement phase and things fall into place, she says. Engorgement typically happens when milk production ramps up within the first few days of giving birth.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

The third crisis occurs after three months, at this stage the baby has much greater suction strength and will take faster feedings as he is able to empty the breasts with greater speed, that is to say, take more in less time, this period coincides with the development of their hearing and vision, that makes everything …

How long does it take for 2 units of alcohol to leave the system?

On average, alcohol is removed from the body at the rate of about one unit an hour. But this varies from person to person. It depends on your size, whether you are male or female, how much food you’ve eaten, the state of your liver, and your metabolism (how quickly or slowly your body turns food into energy).

Can I breastfeed after 2 glasss of wine?

Safety concerns. Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. However, moderate alcohol consumption, meaning up to one standard drink in a day, is not known to be harmful to the infant. To be safest, the mother can wait at least 2 hours after a single drink before nursing.

What happens if baby drinks breast milk after 2 hours?

Milk storage guidelines recommend discarding leftover breast milk after two hours because of the potential for bacterial contamination from your baby’s mouth.