It is generally safest not to drink alcohol while breastfeeding. However, occasional low to moderate alcohol consumption (such as 1 or 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week) is unlikely to harm the baby. Alcohol passes into breast milk at similar levels as in the mother’s blood, so it is recommended to wait about 2 to 3 hours after drinking one standard drink before breastfeeding to minimize the baby's exposure to alcohol. Breastfeeding should ideally be well established before consuming alcohol, and it is advised never to share a bed or sleep on a sofa with the baby if the mother has been drinking. Pumping and dumping breast milk does not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the milk; only time can do that. Planning ahead by expressing milk before drinking and feeding the baby with that milk after drinking is a safer option. Consuming more than moderate amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding is not recommended due to potential effects on the baby's growth, development, sleep, and the mother's ability to care for the baby safely.
Key Points:
- Safe to have an occasional drink, but limit to 1 or 2 units once or twice a week.
- Wait 2 to 3 hours per drink before breastfeeding.
- Alcohol levels in breast milk match the mother’s blood alcohol levels.
- "Pump and dump" does not speed alcohol clearance.
- Avoid bed-sharing if any alcohol has been consumed.
- Plan ahead by expressing milk for feeding after drinking.
This advice balances minimizing risks to the infant while acknowledging moderate and infrequent consumption is usually not harmful when precautions are taken.
