I guess I am more relaxed about the subject of a bit of alcohol and
breastfeeding. I am not talking about getting soused here, but an
occasional glass of wine.
Here is the info I have on this subject. My feeling is that a LOT of new
mothers think they have to have to uphold some ideal of motherhood to be
good enough to breastfeed. In fact, they don't. Moderation is best in most
things, excluding street drugs, etc. I mean, common sense, and knowing
that people are just human...and don't need to keep to a brown rice and
water diet. We want to keep mothers breastfeeding, right? : )
"The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs considers alcohol
consumption compatible with breastfeeding, atlhough side effects are noted
if alcohol is taken in large amounts (see next point). An occasional drink
or regular light drinking (one or fewer drinks per day) has not been found
to be harmful to the nursing baby. Alcohol passes freely into mother's
milk and has been found to peak about 30-60 minutes after consumption,
60-90 minutes when taken with food (Lawton 1985). Alcohol also passes
freely out of a mother's milk and her system."
The following information on ethanol and breastfeeding is from Tom Hale
Ph.d's 1997 book Medications and Mothers' Milk, p. 224. "Uses: Depressant,
approved by American Academy of Pediatrics for use in breastfeeding mothers.
Significant amounts of alcohol are secreted into breastmilk, although it is
not considered harmful to the infant if the amount and duration are
limited. The amount of alcohol transferred to milk is generally low. One
recent report suggests a 23% reduction (156 to 120 ml,) in breastmilk
production following ingestion of beer, and an increase in milk
odor. Excess levels may lead to drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and
decreased linear growth in infant. Maternal blood alcohol levels must
attain 300 mg/dl before significant side effects are reported in the
infant. Reduction of letdown is apparently dose-dependent and requires
alcohol consumtion of 1.5 to 1.9 gm/kg body weight. Other studies have
suggested psychomotor delay in infants of moderate drinkers (2 + drinks
daily). Avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking
alcohol. Adult metabolism of alcohol is approx. 1 oz in 3 hours
Adult concerns: Sedation, decreased milk supply, altered milk taste.
Pediatric concerns: Sedation, irritability, weak suckling, decreased milk
supply, increased milk odor.
Drug Interactions: Increased CNS depression when used with barbiturates,
benzodiazepenes, chloral hydrate, and other CNS depressants. A
disulfiram-like reaction (flushing, weakness, sweating, tachycardia, etc.)
may occur when used with cephalosporins, chlorpropamide, disulfiram,
furazolidone, metronidazole, procarbazine. Increased hypoglycemia when
used with sulfonylureas, and other hypoglycemic agents. Intolerance of
bromocryptine."
Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC co-owner Lactnet, Indep. Consultant
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://homepages.together.net/~kbruce/kbblact.html
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