Leocea,

Here are some references on this topic:
(Best to read these in their entirety for a more complete picture)

Anderson, Philip O. Alcolol and Breastfeeding. Journal of Human Lactation
1995;11(4):321-323.
From the summary: "...To avoid all risks, completely avoid alcohol during
breastfeeding.  Daily alcohol consumption, even a glass or two of wine with
dinner, appears not to be advisable.... For those who consume allcohol
occasionally, such as for a party or other social event, I currently
recommend that they not nurse for at least 2 hours per drink.  That is, if
a mother takes three drinks, at least six hours should elapse after the
last alcohol intake before she resumes nursing..." (pp322-3).  The article
has 23 references.

Riordan, Jan and Kathleen Auerbach. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, 2nd
edition. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1999. See p. 181 for
discussion of Julie Mennella's work on alcohol's effect on flavor of
breastmilk and baby's suck behavior.  A good summary of what we know and
don't know about effects of a drink or two on milk supply, etc.

Hale, Thomas.  Medications and Mothers' Milk, 7th edition. Amarillo, TX:
Pharasoft Medical Publishing, 1998. p. 246-7.  "...Avoid breastfeeding
during and for 2-3 hours after drinking alcohol..."

Lawrence, Ruth A. and Robert M. Lawrence. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the
Medical Profession, 5th ed.  St. Louis: Mosby, 1999. pp. 370-371.
A nice summary of what is known.  Puts minimal alcohol use in perspective.
("...many women who enjoy sipping an occasional beer or wine may well be
discouraged from breastfeeding if they think wine or beer would be
forbidden..."

I encourage all those who work with breastfeeding mothers and babies to try
to have access to these wonderful resources (JHL and the above books).
This is the time to get them!  They are brand new editions, as up to date
and helpful right now as they can be.  If you can't afford your own copy,
see if you can get together with some others to purchase as a group and
share them.

I am just back from 2 1/2 weeks away, and glad to be rejoining Lactnet!





Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC and LLL leader in Madison, Wisconsin
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