We recently spent some time with breastfeeding educator and Founder of The Motherhood Center, Gabriela Gerhart, and wanted to share with you our conversation regarding breastfeeding and alcohol. 

Q/MilkscreenMoms:  What is the most common reason that women stop breastfeeding?

A/Gerhart:  There are many reasons moms give for why they stop breastfeeding and most of the time it is because they want to regain a ‘normal’ life.  By normal life I mean a time when the mother is not dictated by breastfeeding, pumping, sleep schedules and dietary restrictions.

Q/MilkscreenMoms:  You mention dietary restrictions and we commonly hear of alcohol as one of these restrictions for women that are nursing.  As a breastfeeding educator, what is realistic in regards to alcohol consumption post delivery?

A/Gerhart:  One of the most common questions I hear from women is ‘can I occasionally drink while breastfeeding my baby?’  Moms have given up drinking for nine months or longer during conception and pregnancy but are worried about passing anything negative to their baby.  Most women are often advised to ‘wait’ before breastfeeding their babies after consuming alcohol; but ‘waiting’ is vague and most moms don’t have a lot of time, so they end up pumping and dumping their breast milk.

Q/MilkscreenMoms:  Does pumping and dumping remove alcohol from breast milk?

A/Gerhart:  No.  As alcohol leaves the bloodstream, it also leaves the breast milk.  Since alcohol is not ‘trapped’ in breast milk (it returns to the bloodstream as mother’s blood alcohol level declines), pumping and dumping will not remove it.  Pumping and dumping, drinking a lot of water, resting, or drinking coffee will not speed up the rate of the elimination of alcohol from your body.  Plus depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, pumping and dumping may be unnecessary.  If mom took the time to pump she certainly does not want to waste that precious breast milk.

Q/MilkscreenMoms:  So if waiting is too vague and pumping and dumping doesn’t actually remove alcohol from breast milk, what are other options for women?

A/Gerhart:  Of course there is abstinence but as I mentioned before some women choose to stop breastfeeding rather than abstain completely.  However, all experts recommend doing everything possible to maximize the period of time that mom breastfeeds her baby.  For women that want to occasionally consume alcohol but also continue breastfeeding, we tell them about Milkscreen.  I’ve found that many of our clients actually continue breastfeeding much longer than they would have otherwise due to their ability to test their breast milk after enjoying an occasional glass of wine without fearing the effects on their baby. 

Thank you Gabriela for your time.  We know a lot of women are going to benefit from this valuable information. 

 

Tags: alcohol in breast milk, can I drink while breastfeeding, milkscreen, nursing and alcohol consumption