Alcohol And Breastfeeding
Alcohol And Breastfeeding
While the effects of drinking alcohol while pregnant can be quite detrimental to a developing fetus, there are conflicts about how drinking can effect breastfeeding.
Some reports indicate that you shouldn’t drink any amount while you are breastfeeding, and that alcohol passes freely to your baby through breast milk.
Other reports say that as long as you only have a few drinks, you should be all right. Getting the right facts are important for most women, who might enjoy a couple of drinks now and then, but don’t want to harm their growing infants.
How harmful it is to nurse while drinking is really based on how much alcohol is consumed, how long between the time you have that last drink, and your body weight. It takes about an hour for a small amount of alcohol to leave your system, longer if you have eaten something. The heavier you are, and the more you consume also determines how long it is eliminated from your body.
Some small amounts of alcohol can be all right while you are breastfeeding your child. There are some possible side effects though depending on the amount ingested. You child could be overly drowsy, sleep deeper, and may have some weight gain. It really depends on how long it is between drinking and breastfeeding.
For the most part, it is generally safe if you drink in moderation. Don’t go out on a drinking binge, and expect it not to effect your baby, but if you have a few drinks, it is generally okay and won’t be harmful. Alcohol isn’t going to go directly from your mouth into breast milk, it is digested, and passed through your tissues and gets naturally filtered.
You have to take many reports about the negative effects with a grain of salt. There are going to be many arguments for both sides, but you have to decide for yourself if and how much you are going to drink while breastfeeding your child.
You don’t have to unnecessarily restrict your life style if you are feeding your child, and you should do what you feel is right in your heart. If this means that you want to have a few now and then, to take the edge of the stresses that young mothers face, it is perfectly fine to do so. If on the other hand you don’t like the idea, and then don’t do it, wait until your baby has been weaned from your breast first.
There is a lot of information on both sides of the fence. There are plenty of reports and articles available from the American Academy of Pediatrics La Leche League, and the Health Advisory Counsel, all of which say that it is all right in moderation.
There are some things that are for certain when it comes to drinking and breastfeeding. One of them is that if you are drinking large amounts of alcohol, it can effect your “let down” breast response, can deplete your milk supply and possibly effect your baby’s mental development. The less you drink, the less of an effect it will have on these things. You should also contact your healthcare provider and speak candidly about your fears and concerns.
