Alright what's everyone's thoughts/feelings/experiences about having some drinks while breastfeeding? Did you not drink at all? Did you have an occasional drink? Did anyone get tipsy? Did you pump it out after? I'm hearing a lot of conflicting views on what to do if you decide to have a drink or 2. So I'm wondering what people's actual experiences were. In my breastfeeding class they told us that for 1 martini you would have to pump 8 times to get the alcohol out. Did anyone hear anything similar? Please share what you've heard and did.
michele31
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I don't drink alchol so I didn't have this problem but I know some women like a beer to help with let down. I would call a professional LC or the LLL and get the correct information on this issue. Personally, since I would not put alchol in Molly's bottle I would not drink then breastfeed.
jpsgirl
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
My doctor said there is no reason to waste any breast milk if you drink a drink or two. i was surprised, but that's what he said. I even said 'let me put it this way, if I go to irish fest and have more than one or two, how long to I have to waste my milk for, and he said, 'you don't'. So, I didn't. I was a little leery, but on the other hand, it pains me to see my milk going down the drain! Several times in the last 3 months I've been slightly tipsy at night and fed her in the morning. She's still alive and kicking!
I definitely think dumping 8 times for one martini is a bit ridiculous!
What-Now
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
My GF's doctor told her that it takes 12 hours for alcohol to desappear form your sistem. So, I remember told she had some alcohol at a party in the evening and was back to breastfeeding in the morning. she had soem milk stored in the freezer just in case she needed it during the night, but she didn't.
And I also heard that beer helps the flow of the milk, so i guess it can't be all that bad
Stacey1403
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I haven't had a drink since I found out I was preggo. My son is worth giving up alcohol, IMHO Why risk it?
jpsgirl
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
Way to make someone feel like they are putting their child at risk....thanks. I was told by my doctor that it poses no risk at all, otherwise I wouldn't touch a drop either. I'm glad you haven't touched a drop of alcohol since you found out you were pregnant, that's just excellent.
Stacey1403
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I am entitled to my own opinion. You need to do what you feel is right for your child. Alcohol is not a necessity in life so I feel that is something I could give up easily. If you want to drink while BF that is YOUR right. I was just stating MY feelings!!!!
jpsgirl
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
You're absolutely entitled to your opinion and feelings - I just don't think it was necessary for you post in the manner that you did
'My son is worth giving up alcohol, IMHO Why risk it?'
It seems you were insinuating that I don't feel my child is worth giving up alcohol. Anyway, whatever. No need to continue to discuss it. Good luck to you.
Stacey1403
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I put a smiley face in there so I didn't mean it against anyone. I have never been nasty to anyone on this board EVER. I would also never imply anything negatively about another mother. I am sorry if it offended you, I truly didn't mean it to come off that way.
Melissa
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I was worried about this too. I've only had a couple of drinks a few times since his birth, and I still breastfed. I think the first time I pumped and then dumped it, that killed me, but then recently I had a couple of drinks, and then breastfed. I was told as long as you're not getting wasted and then feeding the baby that's fine. It's such a small amount that gets into the milk. I think all the pain medications I was taking after the C-section would be worse for him than a couple of drinks. During my PG I didn't take even a sip of anything. It was really easy to give it up. Then after his birth, it took months for me to even have a drink. Personally, I didn't feel right drinking at the time. Then after a while I gave it a try again, and enjoyed it. It's not wrong to have a couple of drinks here and there. Just don't get loaded every night. Not a big deal IMO!!! Also, I'm not a big drinker to begin with, so not drinking during PG and not drinking that often afterwards wasn't a big deal for me.
emilain
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I drank through out breastfeeding and my kids are just fine! I never got sloshed, but I'd have 2-3 beers or 2 glasses of wine. I never pumped and dumped since only a very small amount of alcohol comes through in your breastmilk. Sometimes it just makes your baby a little sleepier than usual, but nothing that I've heard is DANGEROUS, I don't think any of us would intentionally do that! I always kept in mind, Iwould only have 'a few' drinks because when all said and done even if you take breastfeeding out of the mix you still want to feel straight enought to care for your baby if he/she wakes up and needs you, so that was my rule of thumb. I have lots of friends who drank ALOT when breastfeeding (2-3 matinis, or 5 beers, or a oittle of wine!) and their kids are OK!!!
Nancy
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Re: Breastfeeding and alcohol?
I, personally, have the occasional drink after Gabriella goes to bed and I know I won't be BF for hours...
