My name is Amber Tysse and I am a nursing student at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. I am writing regarding a topic that I find very interesting: breastfeeding and alcohol consumption. The research I have found supports two different views on the subject. Some cultures believe that drinking small quantities of alcohol when breastfeeding can benefit both the infant and mother. According to the Nutrition Research Newsletter (Mennella, 1998), nearly half of the lactating women in a recent study reported that their health professional suggested drinking alcohol to improve the quantity and quality of their milk. CR Howard and RA Lawrence (1998) also state that moderate amounts of alcohol use is compatible with breastfeeding. However, most current research shows that infant consumption of breastmilk is significatly decreased following the mother's intake of alcohol. The explanation of this is still unknown but research suggests that when a mother consumes alcohol, the availability of her milk and its composition are affected. (Beauchamp & Mennella, 1993; Mennella, 1998) I have searched the Lactnet archives and there seems to be a consensus that alcohol is secreted in the breast milk but that it is not considered to be harmful to the infant if the amount and duration are limited. According to Thomas Hale, Ph.D. (1996) oral bioavailability of alcohol is 100% with the peak plasma level at 30-90 minutes. He suggests avoiding breastfeeding for two to three hours after consuming alcohol. This topic has been researched extensively for many years but there is still no concrete answer. In your professional opinions and with your experience, what would/do you recommend to your clients when this subject is brought up? Thank you for your response and time. Amber Tysse, SN University of North Dakota References Beauchamp, G.K. & Mennella, J.A. (1993) Beer, breast feeding, and folklore. Developmental Psychobiology, 26(8):459-66. Hale, T.W. (1996) Medications and Mother's Milk. Pharmasoft Medical Publishing: Amarillo, TX. Howard, C.R. & Lawrence, R.A. (1998) Breast-feeding and drug exposure. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am, 25(1):195-217. Mennella, J.A. (1998) Maternal alcohol consumption and lactational performance. Nutrition Research Newsletter, 17(12):8