Should Mothers Who Breastfeed Their Child Drink Alcohol

Most mothers that breastfeed their baby avoid drinking alcohol because they believe that it can harm their baby. It is a known fact that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause diabetes and birth defects. Even though there is no guidelines on alcohol consumption when mothers breastfeed their child, it is best that mothers avoid drinking alcohol.

Mothers must avoid drinking alcohol after pregnancy as alcohol moves rapidly into breast milk which can harm the baby. The adverse affects of drinking excessive alcohol is not yet know as most mothers who drink after pregnancy have already drinking alcohol when they are pregnant. However, some lactation experts are of the view that drinking alcohol in moderate amounts does not harm the baby.

Absorption of Alcohol by Babies

Ethanol that is present in most alcoholic drinks can move easily into the bloodstream within thirty to sixty minutes of ingestion. However, it can take up to 2 hours for it to leave your body. If the baby is fed before the alcohol leaves the body, the baby can receive up to 20 percent of ethanol present in mother's blood.

Even though the concentration of ethanol received by the baby is less, it can affect the health of the baby, as the liver of the baby is not developed. Since the organs of the baby are not developed, the compounds stay in the body of infants for longer duration which can harm them. Infants who drink alcohol via their mother's milk can feel weak and drowsy. Excessive alcohol in mother's milk can also lead to decrease in the growth of the child, cause abnormal weight gains, and could lead to several other health problems.

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Health experts are of the view that mothers who breastfeed their child can drink a glass of wine or beer occasionally. However, more than one or two small glasses of wine in a week can affect the baby. Also, make sure you avoid breastfeeding at least for two hours after consuming alcohol.

The age of the baby is another factor that you must watch out for when you feed the baby. If your baby is just one or two months old, the liver function of the baby is limited. However, if your baby is about a year old, the organs are more developed and they are able to process alcohol more quickly.

Other Alternatives

Mothers who are planning to go out and have a couple of glasses of alcohol can breastfeed their baby beforehand and wait till the effects of alcohol have worn off before nursing their child. You can also pump and store the milk before you go out to have a couple of drinks. You must know that alcohol content in the milk will reduce once the alcohol content in your blood reduces. So you must pump only if you are going to miss nursing for a couple of hours.

So mothers who breastfeed their child can continue to live a normal life. They can a couple of glasses of alcohol but must take a few safety precautions before nursing their child.

Abhishek Choudhari has been writing articles for several well known websites Institute of Health and Nutrition. You can visit the blogs to read more informative articles on health and women's issues.

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