It is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers to consume alcohol in moderation, defined as up to one standard drink per day. The safest practice is to wait at least two hours after consuming one drink before nursing the baby, as this allows time for the alcohol to clear from the breast milk. Drinking alcohol above moderate levels can be harmful to the infant's development and sleep patterns, and it may also impair the mother's judgment and ability to safely care for the baby. Key points include:
- One standard drink is roughly 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz liquor.
- Alcohol concentration in breast milk matches that in the mother's bloodstream, peaking 30-60 minutes after drinking.
- Alcohol can be detected in breast milk for 2-3 hours per drink consumed.
- Consuming more than one or two drinks per day is not recommended.
- "Pumping and dumping" does not speed removal of alcohol from milk but may relieve breast fullness.
- Avoid caring for the baby when intoxicated and avoid bedsharing after drinking.
Overall, no evidence shows harm to infants from occasional moderate drinking with proper timing around breastfeeding, but complete abstinence is the safest choice during breastfeeding.
Guidelines for drinking while breastfeeding
- Limit to one standard drink per day at most.
- Wait at least 2 hours after drinking before breastfeeding.
- Drink with food and stay hydrated.
- Use previously expressed milk if the baby feeds before the waiting period.
- Never breastfeed if feeling intoxicated or impaired.
This advice balances infant safety with practical considerations for breastfeeding mothers who may wish to consume alcohol occasionally.
