Arielle Cruz
It is important to note that the safest option for breastfeeding mothers is to abstain from alcohol consumption. However, moderate drinking, or one drink per day, is generally not considered harmful to the infant. To ensure the alcohol is out of a mother's system, it is recommended to wait for at least two hours per drink before breastfeeding. The alcohol level in breast milk corresponds to the mother's blood alcohol level, which typically peaks 30 to 60 minutes after drinking and diminishes over time. While there is limited research on the long-term effects, excessive alcohol consumption during breastfeeding may negatively impact an infant's development, growth, and sleep patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended maximum alcohol consumption while breastfeeding | 1 drink per day |
| Time to wait after drinking alcohol before breastfeeding | 2 hours per drink |
| Alcohol detection time in breast milk | 2-3 hours per drink |
| Alcohol level in breast milk | Same as alcohol level in mother's bloodstream |
| Alcohol level peak time in breast milk | 30-60 minutes after drinking |
| Effect of alcohol on breastfeeding | May decrease milk production and affect infant's sleep patterns |
| Safe alcohol consumption while breastfeeding | Occasional drinking with limited consumption |
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What You'll Learn
How long does alcohol stay in breast milk?
It is important to note that the safest option for breastfeeding mothers is to not drink alcohol at all. However, moderate alcohol consumption, meaning up to one standard drink per day, is not known to be harmful to the infant. 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. 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 alcohol can be detected in breast milk. For example, alcohol from 1 drink can be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours, alcohol from 2 drinks can be detected for about 4 to 5 hours, and alcohol from 3 drinks can be detected for about 6 to 8 hours.
To minimise the amount of alcohol consumed by the baby, it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before consuming an alcoholic beverage and then wait for the alcohol to clear from the system before nursing again. This usually takes about two hours for each drink consumed. If the breasts become full while waiting, it is safe to pump and store the breast milk, but this will not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.
If the baby needs to be fed before the alcohol has cleared from the mother's system, it is recommended to use previously expressed milk to feed the baby. It is important to note that pumping and discarding breast milk ("pump and dump") will not remove alcohol from the breast milk or speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.
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How much alcohol passes into breast milk?
The amount of alcohol that passes into breast milk depends on several factors. The alcohol level in breast milk is closely related to the alcohol level in the mother's bloodstream. Typically, alcohol levels in breast milk are highest 30 to 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage. After this peak, as the mother's blood alcohol level decreases, so does the alcohol content of her breast milk.
The more alcohol a mother consumes, the longer it takes for the alcohol to leave her breast milk and her bloodstream. 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 4 to 5 hours, and three drinks for 6 to 8 hours. The time it takes for alcohol to clear a mother's system depends on factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed, the speed of consumption, whether it was consumed with food, the mother's weight, and the speed of alcohol metabolism.
The amount of alcohol transferred to the baby depends on the mother's blood alcohol level at the time of nursing. For example, if a baby drinks 100 ml of breast milk while the mother has a blood alcohol level of 0.05 per cent, the baby will consume 50 mg of alcohol. This is roughly equivalent to the baby drinking 1.5 ml of beer, 0.5 ml of wine, or 0.2 ml of hard liquor.
While there is limited research on the long-term outcomes, studies have shown that alcohol consumption can negatively impact milk production and the milk ejection reflex. Additionally, alcohol exposure above moderate levels through breast milk may harm an infant's development, growth, and sleep patterns. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least two hours after consuming one alcoholic beverage before nursing.
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How long after drinking can you breastfeed?
While drinking alcohol is not a reason to stop breastfeeding, it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers limit their alcohol consumption or cut it out completely. Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. However, moderate alcohol consumption, defined as up to one drink per day, is not known to be harmful to the infant.
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, and 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 alcohol can be detected in breast milk. For example, alcohol from 2 drinks can be detected for about 4 to 5 hours, and alcohol from 3 drinks can be detected for about 6 to 8 hours.
To minimise the amount of alcohol consumed by the baby, it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before consuming an alcoholic beverage and then wait for the alcohol to clear from the system before nursing again. This usually takes about 2 hours for each drink consumed. If the breasts become full while waiting, it is possible to hand-express or pump the milk, but it is important to discard it as this will not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.
If the baby needs to be nursed before the alcohol has cleared from the mother's system, it is recommended to use previously expressed milk to feed the baby. It is important to note that drinking a lot of water, resting, or drinking coffee will not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body. Additionally, pumping and dumping" will not remove alcohol from the breast milk, as alcohol returns to the bloodstream as the mother's blood alcohol level declines.
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What are the effects of alcohol on breast milk production?
While drinking alcohol is not a reason to stop breastfeeding, it is important to understand the effects of alcohol on breast milk production and the infant's health. The safest option for breastfeeding mothers is to not drink alcohol. However, moderate alcohol consumption, or up to one drink per day, is not known to be harmful to the infant. To be on the safer side, a mother can wait for at least 2 hours after consuming a single drink before nursing. 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, the level of alcohol in her breast milk will also decrease. Alcohol levels are usually highest in breast milk 30 to 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage and can be generally detected for about 2 to 3 hours per drink. The more alcohol a mother consumes, the longer it takes for the alcohol to leave her system.
Excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the milk ejection reflex and may lead to a shortened breastfeeding duration due to decreased milk production. Mennella, Pepino, and Teff found that alcohol significantly reduces oxytocin levels while also increasing prolactin levels. Both hormones influence the milk ejection reflex. The lower the level of oxytocin, the longer the delay in milk ejection. The higher the level of prolactin, the longer the delay. The combination of alcohol's effect on these two hormones leads to a significant delay in milk ejection.
Infants consume about 20% less milk during the hours after maternal alcohol consumption, likely due to diminished milk production. Infants may compensate for this decrease by breastfeeding more frequently in the 8 to 16 hours after maternal alcohol consumption. Even small amounts of alcohol in human milk have been shown to disrupt and shorten the total duration of infant sleep. Sleep disturbances, including shorter sleep periods, more frequent wakefulness, and less total active and REM sleep, are some of the most common negative outcomes for the baby.
If a mother has consumed alcohol, she can wait for 2 hours per drink before breastfeeding. If the baby needs to be fed before this time, previously expressed milk can be used. If a mother chooses to express or pump milk within two hours of consuming alcohol, it is recommended to discard the expressed milk.
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What are the effects of alcohol on the baby?
While it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers refrain from consuming alcohol, moderate alcohol consumption, defined as up to one standard drink per day, is generally not considered harmful to the infant. However, it is important to wait for at least 2 hours after consuming one drink before breastfeeding, as alcohol can be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours per drink. The more alcohol consumed, the longer it takes for the alcohol to clear from the mother's system and breast milk.
If a mother chooses to consume alcohol, it is advisable to plan and reduce the baby's exposure. Breastfeeding just before consuming alcohol and then waiting for about 3 hours before nursing again can minimize the baby's alcohol intake. Additionally, storing expressed breast milk in advance can be helpful if the baby needs to be fed before the alcohol has cleared the mother's system.
The effects of alcohol on the baby depend on the amount consumed by the mother and the timing of breastfeeding afterward. Research has identified various negative outcomes for the baby, including sleep disturbances, shorter sleep periods, more frequent wakefulness, and reduced total active and REM sleep. These sleep disturbances can persist beyond the immediate period after alcohol consumption, with infants experiencing disrupted sleep patterns even in the following 24 hours.
Furthermore, alcohol consumption by the mother can impact the infant's development, growth, and weight gain. Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with the milk ejection reflex, leading to decreased milk production over time. This can result in the baby receiving less milk, which may contribute to abnormal weight gain. Additionally, infants are less able to process alcohol due to their immature systems, so even small amounts of alcohol exposure can have stronger effects on them compared to adults.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wait at least 2 hours per drink consumed before breastfeeding your baby. Alcohol can be detected in breast milk for about 2 to 3 hours per drink after consumption.
You can breastfeed immediately before consuming an alcoholic beverage and then wait to nurse again for about 2 hours per drink. If your breasts become full while waiting for the alcohol to clear, you can pump and store the breast milk, but this will not speed up the elimination of alcohol from your body.
Alcohol is generally out of your system when you feel back to normal. You can also purchase alcohol test strips for human milk over the counter at most drugstores or online.
