It is not surprising that at a session on fetal alcohol syndrome (with folks
that work with criminal juveniles, and child welfare) that alcohol
consumption would not be favorably looked upon (they recommended total
abstinence)..
I'm born and raised in New Orleans, a drinking culture, and I am shocked by
the amount of alcohol consumption being reported in some posts. Not to say
it is not appropriate nor healthful, but culturally, very foreign to me.
Then, again, I might have an alcoholic drink only a few times a year, so
it's not a part of my lifestyle.
There is a huge problem in USA, in my opinion, with *drinking responsibly*
and drunk driving and that colors our perceptions and recommendations as
well. If you have any alcoholic family members, that affects your judgement
too. Two units per day does seem healthier for the mother, to me, than, say
binge drinking on weekends. I am not familiar with the research showing
safety to the infant. Also, does the type of alcohol affect mother's health
(not sobriety) or baby's health?? Wine may be more healthful than vodka??? I
don't know.

In New Orleans, the question of drinking came up regularly, most moms
wanting to know if they could have a beer with their crawfish or have a
daiquiri.
In Mississippi, a large Southern Baptist religious community, the question
of drinking almost never comes up, but most mothers smoke cigarettes or
"dip" tobacco. There's culture for you again.

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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