Mason Delacroix
Alcohol is a concern for breastfeeding mothers due to its potential impact on infant health and development. Alcohol passes into breast milk, and while the absolute amount is generally low, the levels in plasma correspond closely with those in milk. The highest alcohol levels in milk occur 30 to 60 minutes after drinking, and food delays the time of peak milk alcohol levels. As a mother's blood alcohol level falls, so does the level in her breast milk, and it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers wait 2 hours per drink before nursing again. Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect infant sleep patterns and growth, and may also impair a mother's judgment and ability to care for her child safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol level in breast milk | Essentially the same as the alcohol level in the mother's bloodstream |
| Highest alcohol levels in breast milk | 30 to 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage |
| Alcohol detection in breast milk | About 2 to 3 hours per drink after consumption |
| Factors affecting blood alcohol levels and detection in breast milk | Amount of alcohol consumed, consumption speed, consumption with food, mother's weight, alcohol breakdown speed in mother's body |
| Effects of alcohol on infants | Excessive sedation, fluid retention, hormone imbalances, negative impact on academic performance, decreased linear growth, sleep pattern disruption |
| Minimising alcohol transfer to infants | Breastfeed before consuming alcohol, wait for alcohol to metabolise (about 2 hours per drink), express and store breast milk before consuming alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol is not trapped in breast milk
The alcohol level in breast milk closely parallels the alcohol level in a mother's bloodstream. The highest alcohol levels in breast milk typically occur 30 to 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage, but this timing can be delayed if the alcohol is consumed with food. The more alcohol is consumed, the longer it takes for the alcohol to clear the body. For example, alcohol from one drink can be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours, while alcohol from two drinks can be detected for about 4 to 5 hours.
To reduce a baby's exposure to alcohol, breastfeeding mothers can consider breastfeeding immediately before consuming an alcoholic beverage and then waiting for about three hours before nursing again. If the breasts become full while waiting, pumping or hand expression can be done, but the expressed milk should be discarded. Alternatively, mothers can store some expressed breast milk in advance before consuming alcohol and use this to feed their baby.
While drinking alcoholic beverages is not an indication to stop breastfeeding, consuming more than one drink per day while breastfeeding is generally not recommended. Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact an infant's development, growth, and sleep patterns. It can also impair a mother's judgment and ability to care for her child safely.
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Maternal alcohol consumption impacts infant sleep
The alcohol level in breast milk corresponds closely with the alcohol level in a mother's bloodstream. As the mother's blood alcohol level falls over time, the level of alcohol in her breast milk will also decrease. Alcohol can be generally detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours per drink after it is consumed. The more alcohol a mother consumes, the longer it can be detected in breast milk.
Maternal alcohol consumption can impact infant sleep. Excessive alcohol consumption while breastfeeding could affect the infant's sleep patterns. Drinking to the point of intoxication or binge drinking has been shown to negatively impact the way infants sleep. The negative impact on sleep occurs when the infants are exposed to alcohol through milk containing alcohol at a certain level. Infants exposed to a significant amount of alcohol through drinking human milk spend significantly less time in both active and total sleep. REM sleep is also disrupted. As infants are less able to process alcohol than adults, some researchers believe that the dosage they receive through their mother's milk may be stronger than it would be for an adult.
To reduce the risk of negative impacts on the infant, it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before consuming any alcoholic beverage and then wait for about two to three hours before nursing again. If the breasts become full while waiting for the alcohol to clear, the mother can hand-express or pump and discard the expressed milk. It is also suggested to plan and store some expressed breast milk in advance to reduce the baby's exposure to alcohol.
If a mother regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol, it is recommended to consult a health professional to understand the potential effects on the baby and breastfeeding.
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Alcohol negatively affects infant growth and motor function
Infants exposed to a significant amount of alcohol (0.3 g/kg of the parent's body weight) through drinking human milk spend significantly less time in both active and total sleep. Their REM sleep is also disrupted. As infants are less able to process alcohol than adults due to their immature systems, researchers believe that the dosage they receive through their mother's milk may be stronger than it would be for an adult.
Some evidence indicates that infant growth and motor function may be negatively affected by one drink or more daily, but other studies have not confirmed these findings. Heavy maternal use may cause excessive sedation, fluid retention, and hormone imbalances in breastfed infants. Greater or riskier alcohol consumption by nursing mothers may negatively affect their children's academic performance at school.
Binge drinking and heavy drinking during pregnancy put a developing baby at the greatest risk for severe problems. However, even lesser amounts can cause harm. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States.
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Alcohol decreases milk production
Alcohol consumption by a nursing mother can have adverse effects on both the mother and the baby. The alcohol level in breast milk is essentially the same as the alcohol level in a mother's bloodstream. As the mother's alcohol blood level falls over time, the level of alcohol in her breast milk will also decrease.
The effects of maternal alcohol ingestion during lactation are complex and depend on the pattern of maternal drinking. Alcohol decreases milk production, with five drinks or more decreasing milk letdown and disrupting nursing until maternal alcohol levels decrease. This is because alcohol interferes with the milk ejection reflex, which, in turn, reduces milk production. Without this reflex, the baby cannot nurse and empty the breast effectively. When milk stays in the breast, it signals to the body to reduce milk production.
In addition to the effects on milk production, alcohol consumption can also have negative impacts on the mother's and baby's sleep patterns. Alcohol can cause drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in the infant. The baby may also experience agitation, and there may be a negative impact on mother-infant interactions. Research has also shown that infant growth and motor function may be negatively affected by one drink or more daily, although other studies have not confirmed these findings.
To reduce the baby's exposure to alcohol, it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before consuming any alcoholic beverage and then wait for about two to three hours before nursing again. If the breasts become full while waiting for the alcohol to clear, the milk can be hand-expressed or pumped and discarded. It is also suggested to plan ahead and store some expressed breast milk in advance.
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Alcohol can be detected in breast milk for 2-3 hours
Alcohol can be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours per drink after it is consumed. The more alcohol a mother consumes, the longer it takes for the alcohol to be eliminated from her system and breast milk. For example, a woman who consumes four drinks would have no alcohol in her breast milk after about nine to ten hours.
The alcohol level in breast milk is essentially the same as the alcohol level in a mother's bloodstream. As the mother's alcohol blood level falls over time, the level of alcohol in her breast milk will also decrease. Alcohol levels are usually highest in breast milk 30 to 60 minutes after a woman consumes an alcoholic beverage. However, this can vary among women, with some studies finding that the time of peak milk alcohol levels ranged from 20 to 40 minutes after consumption.
Breastfeeding mothers can wait about two hours per drink before breastfeeding to allow alcohol levels in their breast milk to decrease. If a mother needs to feed her baby before the alcohol has cleared her system, she can feed her baby with previously expressed milk from when she was not drinking.
It is important to note that drinking alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding does not necessarily harm the baby. However, consuming more than one drink per day while breastfeeding is not recommended as it may negatively affect infant growth and development and impair the mother's judgment and ability to care for her child safely.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, breastmilk alcohol levels closely parallel blood alcohol levels. The highest alcohol levels in milk occur 30 to 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage.
It is recommended to wait for 2 hours per drink before breastfeeding. If you are intoxicated, you should wait until you are completely sober.
If you plan to drink alcohol, it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before consuming an alcoholic beverage. You can also store some expressed breastmilk in advance.
