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Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? How Much Alcohol Can You Drink While Breastfeeding?

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? A breastfeeding mother’s alcohol intake must be carefully considered to ensure safe milk. Alcohol should be consumed moderately by mothers. Wait 2-3 hours between drinks before breastfeeding. This lets milk and blood alcohol clear.


by Editorial Team and supported by Level Up Treatment Lawrenceville, referred to as We Level Up Lawrenceville NJ
Editor Yamilla Francese
Clinically Reviewed by Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS
Medically Reviewed by Ali Nikbakht, PsyD
Updated on June 13, 2024 — Editorial Policy | Research Policy

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a vital bonding experience between a mother and her baby, providing essential nutrients and antibodies. However, whether alcohol consumption can be balanced with breastfeeding often arises. Many new mothers wonder about the safety of having an occasional drink while nursing. Let’s delve into the topic and explore the potential risks and guidelines for alcohol consumption during breastfeeding.

How is Breast Milk Produced?

Breast milk is produced by mammary glands found in the breast tissue. These mammary glands are present from birth but become fully useful for milk production only during pregnancy. Several hormones regulate the mammary glands’ development and lactation initiation and maintenance.

The most significant of these hormones are oxytocin and prolactin, both produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. Prolactin, together with other hormones (estrogen and progesterone), regulates the final development of the mammary glands during pregnancy. After birth, the woman’s hormonal situation changes, and in this setting, prolactin can start milk secretion from the mammary glands.

How Much Alcohol Can You Drink While Breastfeeding?

The amount of alcohol a breastfeeding mother can consume while still providing safe milk for her baby is a subject of careful consideration. It’s generally recommended that if a mother chooses to drink alcohol, she should do so in moderation. One approach is to wait at least 2-3 hours per drink before breastfeeding. This allows time for alcohol to clear from the bloodstream and milk.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? A breastfeeding mother's alcohol intake must be carefully considered to ensure safe milk. Alcohol should be consumed moderately by mothers. Wait 2-3 hours between drinks before breastfeeding. This lets milk and blood alcohol clear.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? A breastfeeding mother’s alcohol intake must be carefully considered to ensure safe milk. Alcohol should be consumed moderately by mothers. Wait 2-3 hours between drinks before breastfeeding. This lets milk and blood alcohol clear.

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Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding Facts

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding Keypoints

Here are some key points from the Alcohol and Breastfeeding Fact Sheet:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that moderate alcohol consumption by a breastfeeding mother (1-2 drinks per week) is not known to be harmful to the nursing infant.
  • However, excessive alcohol intake can interfere with milk production and is associated with infant developmental delays.
  • Women who drink heavily or binge drink should avoid breastfeeding until the alcohol has cleared their system.
  • You can do a few things to minimize the amount of alcohol that gets into your breast milk, such as waiting at least 2 hours after drinking before breastfeeding, pumping and discarding milk after drinking, or feeding the baby with alcohol-free stored milk.
  • If you are struggling with alcohol use disorder or a history of alcohol abuse, seeking support and treatment from a healthcare professional is essential.

While moderate alcohol consumption is not known to be harmful to infants, breastfeeding mothers need to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to minimize exposure, particularly in the early postpartum period when the baby is still developing. It’s also worth noting that there is no “safe” alcohol consumption during pregnancy, as alcohol can cross the placenta and potentially harm the developing fetus.

How long does alcohol stay in breastmilk?

Alcohol can stay in breastmilk for several hours after a person drinks. Generally, the amount of alcohol in breastmilk will peak around 30 to 60 minutes after the drink is consumed and gradually decrease over time. The length of time alcohol stays in breastmilk can depend on various factors, such as the person’s weight, how much alcohol they consumed, and how quickly their body processes alcohol. If you are concerned about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, consulting a healthcare professional for advice and guidance is always best.

How long does alcohol stay in the breastmilk chart?

While the amount of time that alcohol stays in breastmilk can vary depending on individual factors such as weight, age, metabolism, and the amount and type of alcohol consumed, here is a general timeline of how long alcohol takes to leave breastmilk:

  • For a standard drink (i.e., 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor), it typically takes 2-3 hours for the alcohol to clear from a mother’s breast milk.
  • If a mother drinks heavily or consumes more than one drink, it can take longer for the alcohol to clear from her system and breast milk (up to 13 hours or more).
  • The rate at which alcohol is metabolized can vary depending on individual factors, so these estimates should be taken as general guidelines rather than strict rules.

If you are concerned about the effects of alcohol on your breast milk and breastfeeding, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance. They can provide you with more detailed information about how alcohol affects your body and breast milk specifically and help you make informed decisions to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding Chart

Here is an example of an alcohol and breastfeeding chart that shows the general relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and its potential impact on breastmilk, according to the Breastfeeding Association:

  • 1 standard drink – minimal effect on the infant’s behavior and sleep.
  • 2 standard drinks – usually no effect, but some infants may be more sensitive to the presence of alcohol.
  • 3-4 standard drinks – may impact the infant’s sleep and behavior, especially if consumed within a short period.
  • 5 or more standard drinks – can cause significant impairment to the mother, make her unable to care for the infant safely, and potentially harm the baby.

Again, these are just general drinking alcohol and breastfeeding chart guidelines. The effects of alcohol on breastfeeding can vary depending on individual factors. Additionally, it’s important to note that consuming any amount of alcohol while breastfeeding can be a personal decision that depends on a variety of factors, including the mother’s health, the baby’s health, and individual circumstances. As always, it’s best to seek advice from a healthcare professional before drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding Statistics

Here are some statistics related to alcohol and breastfeeding:

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 83% of mothers in the United States breastfeed their babies at birth, but that number drops to around 57% by the time the baby reaches 6 months.
  • Research shows that around 50-75% of breastfeeding mothers consume alcohol at some point during their breastfeeding journey.
  • The AAP’s 2012 guidelines on breastfeeding and substance use note that alcohol consumption up to 0.5 g/kg is not harmful to the infant. That corresponds to about one drink per day for an average 70 kg woman.
  • However, a recent study found that nearly a third of new mothers in the United Kingdom did not recognize that alcohol could be passed to their infants through breastmilk and that many continued to drink at unsafe levels while breastfeeding.
  • The same study found that mothers with lower levels of education, those with drinking or smoking habits before pregnancy, those with previous mental health problems, and those who were unemployed were more likely to consume alcohol while breastfeeding.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding Statistics

High-Intensity Drinking is a new trend discovered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol consumption “at levels that are two or more times the gender-specific binge drinking thresholds” is included in the definition of high-intensity drinking (HID).

There isn’t much peer-reviewed research because it’s still a new trend. According to the information that is currently available, HID is widespread among binge drinkers and is frequently related to essential occasions, particularly 21st birthdays and athletic events.

141,000

140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year.

Source: NIAAA

10%

1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have an Alcohol Use Disorder.

Source: NIAAA

60%

Over half of Americans increased their alcohol consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Source: NIAAA

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Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding while drinking alcohol should never be done. To keep your baby healthy, avoiding alcohol during breastfeeding is best.

Alcohol levels are typically highest in breast milk 30-60 minutes after an alcoholic drink is drunk and can usually be detected in breast milk for around two to three hours per alcoholic drink is consumed.

However, the time alcoholic drinks can be seen in breast milk will increase the more alcohol a mother drinks. For instance, alcohol from one drink can be detected in breast milk for about two to three hours, alcohol from two drinks can be seen for about four to five hours, and so on.

Blood alcohol levels and the length of time alcohol can be detected in breast milk after drinking will depend on several factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, how fast the alcohol is consumed, whether it is finished with food, how much a mother weighs, and how fast alcohol is broken down in a mother’s body.

Alcohol is not stored in the mother’s breast, so the liver metabolizes the alcohol, causing the blood alcohol level to drop in the breast milk. Lactating women should not breastfeed for several hours after drinking until their blood alcohol levels have declined again.

Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding has no benefits but only harm your child. Caring for a baby while intoxicated is not safe.
Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding has no benefits but only harm your child. Caring for a baby while intoxicated is not safe.

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Drinking Alcohol while Breastfeeding

Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding? When you breastfeed your baby, alcohol might enter your milk and your child. Alcohol and breastfeeding, how long to wait? Drinking occasionally won’t likely hurt your child, especially if you wait at least 2 hours before feeding them. Regularly exceeding the advised limits might be dangerous to you and your child.

In addition to the well-known health hazards associated with excessive alcohol consumption, drinking too much can reduce your milk production. Your baby can experience issues with sleep, development, and growth.

Things to know before breastfeeding:

  • As the urban myth suggests, drinking beer does not increase the lactating mother’s milk supply.
  • Drinking alcohol of any kind may decrease the breast milk the baby drinks.
  • Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding can change the taste of breast milk, and some infants may not like it.
  • Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding an infant can pose a risk to the baby if he or she consumes breast milk with alcohol. 
  • Pumping or expressing milk after drinking alcohol and then discarding it (pumping and dumping) does not reduce the alcohol in the milk quicker. As the alcohol blood level falls over time, the level of alcohol in the breast milk will also decrease. Breast milk continues to contain alcohol if alcohol is still in the bloodstream.
  • Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) does not appear to harm the nursing baby. Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.
  • Excess levels of alcohol in milk may lead to drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and decreased growth in the infant.  Reduction of let-downs is reported when the mother drinks heavily. Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding may reduce the baby’s sucking time at the breast but not the volume of milk consumed.
  • Never share a bed or other sleeping surface with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol and breastfeeding. Drinking affects your natural reflexes, and drinking and bed-sharing are more associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

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How much alcohol can you drink while breastfeeding? Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding don't mix well. There's no level of alcohol in breast milk that's considered safe for a baby to drink.
How much alcohol can you drink while breastfeeding? Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding don’t mix well. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby to drink.

Effects of Drinking Alcohol While Breastfeeding

Of course, not drinking alcohol is the safest way for breastfeeding mothers. Typically, moderate alcohol consumption by a breastfeeding mother (up to one standard drink per day) is not known to be harmful to the baby, especially if the mother waits at least two hours after a single drink before breastfeeding. However, drinking alcohol above moderate levels through breast milk could damage a baby’s growth, development, and sleep patterns. Alcohol consumption above average levels may also undermine a mother’s judgment and ability to care for her child safely.

How Much Alcohol Can You Drink While Breastfeeding? Alcohol Breastfeeding Side Effects

  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Increased arousal.
  • Increased crying.
  • Increased startling.
  • Increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep from 3.5 to 24 hours after alcohol exposure.
  • Decreased weight gain.
  • Decreased milk intake by the baby.
  • Growth retardation.
  • Impaired immune function.
  • Delay of motor development.
  • Potential impairment of cognitive development.
  • Reduction in the ability for abstract reasoning at school age (6-7 years).

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Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding A Newborn?

If intoxicated, you should not breastfeed until you are completely sober, when most alcohol will have left your body. Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding to the point of intoxication or binge drinking has been shown to impact how infants sleep. The negative impact on sleep occurs when the infants are exposed to alcohol through milk containing alcohol at the level it would be found in human milk one hour after a mother consumed a significant amount of alcohol (0.3 grams per kilogram of their body weight). Searching for “alcohol and breastfeeding 2021,” “alcohol while breastfeeding chart,” “drinking alcohol and breastfeeding chart,” and “breastfeeding and alcohol charts”? Read on to learn more.

Pump and Dump Breastfeeding Alcohol

You may have heard of women”pumping and dumping,” or pumping and throwing away their breast milk to remove the alcohol fast.

The truth about alcohol and breastfeeding is that alcohol exits your bloodstream and breast milk at the same time. Pumping and dumping will not eliminate alcohol because it is not “contained” in breast milk and returns to the bloodstream when your blood alcohol level decreases. Pumping and dumping, consuming lots of water, taking a nap, or consuming coffee will not hasten the pace at which alcohol is eliminated from your body.

Alcohol is not removed from breast milk more quickly due to this procedure. Instead, when the mother needs to express her milk so she doesn’t use it to feed, it may be used to eliminate alcohol-filled milk.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding Calculator

Can you drink alcohol while breastfeeding? Using an alcohol breastfeeding calculator helps you estimate your blood alcohol level, which can help determine if it is safe for you to breastfeed your baby safely. Additionally, using an alcohol and breastfeeding calculator to verify the amount of alcohol present in your breastmilk or the period alcohol will remain in your system might be helpful.

When using the calculator, it will ask you to select how many drinks you have had. The following is what we are referring to when we say one drink:

  • 12 ounces of 5% Beer.
  • 1.5 ounces of 40% vodka.
  • 5 ounces of 13% wine.

Additionally, information on your weight, how many drinks you’ve had, and how much time has elapsed since you last drank will help evaluate how safe it is to give breast milk. Your blood alcohol level and the amount of alcohol in your breast milk are directly correlated. So, ideally, you should be able to nurse your child after the calculator reaches zero.

Breastfeeding Alcohol Chart

As an alternative, an alcohol and breastfeeding chart explains how long a unit of alcohol takes to leave your body (note this is not necessarily the same as a single drink). Breastfeeding and drinking alcohol charts help estimate whether providing breast milk to a baby is safe.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? For around 2-3 hours, alcohol from two drinks can be seen in breast milk, alcohol from three drinks for approximately 4-5 hours, and alcohol from three drinks for about 6-8 hours.

The calculator is a safer bet because the typical rule is two hours per standard drink, but this depends on your weight and how many drinks you’ve had.

Alcohol Test Strips for Breastfeeding

Are breastfeeding alcohol strips effective? The usual action for a woman who wants to drink but is concerned about giving alcohol to the infant baby is to use one of those alcohol testing strips for breastfeeding that checks the alcohol content of breast milk. But it’s challenging to establish whether the breast milk test strips are genuinely beneficial due to the paucity of studies on the product and conflicting recommendations regarding alcohol and breastfeeding. Despite claims made in advertisements, some medical professionals aren’t convinced that the most popular alcohol strips for breastfeeding have the approval of pediatricians and lactation consultants.

Find the Help You Need at We Level Up New Jersey

Remember, breastfeeding is the best way to feed a newborn and is recommended until a baby is at least age one. If you choose to drink, plan carefully to avoid exposing your baby to alcohol. Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding are not mutually exclusive. You can safely nurse your baby after the alcohol has left your breast milk.

Ask your doctor or lactation consultant if you have questions about breastfeeding and alcohol. Helping yourself or a loved one should be achieved without sacrificing comfort and safety. We Level Up NJ provides a safe and comfortable inpatient alcohol rehab program with licensed therapists and 24-hour health monitoring.  Call us now.  We have a 24/7 hotline that is ready to assist you.

Can you drink alcohol while breastfeeding? To learn more about achieving a new level of recovery, call us now. We will guide you to recovery if you simultaneously struggle with drinking alcohol and breastfeeding.
Can you drink alcohol while breastfeeding? To learn more about achieving a new level of recovery, call us now. We will guide you to recovery if you simultaneously struggle with drinking alcohol and breastfeeding.

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Popular Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding FAQs

When can you drink alcohol after giving birth, not breastfeeding?

There is no specified time when you can drink, but it’s a good idea to wait until after you and your baby have been checked over, and you’ve tried breastfeeding for the first time. Even then, you should keep the celebration to a tiny glass.

Is a breastfeeding alcohol calculator better than an alcohol breastfeeding chart?

Yes, because a breastfeeding and alcohol calculator is more detailed and can be calculated even after you drink more than one glass of alcohol.

How to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

To keep your baby healthy, it is best not to drink alcohol while breastfeeding, as it will negatively affect the baby’s health.

How long does alcohol stay in your system breastfeeding?

Alcohol from 1 drink can be detected in breast milk for about 2-3 hours, alcohol from 2 drinks can be seen for about 4-5 hours, and alcohol from 3 drinks can be seen for about 6-8 hours.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? Video

Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience, nourishing your baby with essential nutrients and antibodies. However, the question of whether you can enjoy an occasional drink while nursing is a common concern among new mothers.

Understanding the basics is crucial. Breast milk is produced by mammary glands, regulated by hormones like oxytocin and prolactin. Prolactin, along with estrogen and progesterone, plays a pivotal role in the mammary glands’ development during pregnancy. After birth, prolactin triggers milk secretion.

Consequences of Alcohol in Breastmilk: Alcoholism Treatment Informative Video

There are several names for alcoholism, such as alcohol addiction and alcohol dependency. It is now officially known as an alcohol use disorder. It happens when you drink so much alcohol that your body finally develops an addiction. When this occurs, alcohol takes on a major role in your life. Each technique used in alcoholism therapy for alcohol use disorder is intended to help you completely stop binge drinking.  Alcoholism is characterized as an alcohol use disorder.

It is a pattern of binge drinking referred to as alcoholism. The likelihood of controlling your drinking, being concerned with alcohol, and continuing to consume alcohol even when it creates problems increases if you have excessive drinking issues. When you abruptly cut back or quit drinking, you may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms or need to drink more to achieve the same impact. 

Any alcohol usage that threatens your health or safety or results in other alcohol-related issues is considered unhealthy. A pattern of drinking where a man downs five or more drinks in two hours or where a woman downs at least four drinks in two hours is known as binge drinking. Significant threats to one’s health and safety result from binge drinking.  While some individuals may consume alcohol to the point where it becomes problematic, they are not physically dependent. Alcohol abuse used to be the term for this. 

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?
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