Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Alcohol while breastfeeding

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

Reading time: 6 minutes

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Article last updated: 04/29/2019

Any breastfeeding woman should know that everything she eats or drinks is passed on to her baby through breast milk. Therefore, alcohol taken by the mother can cause significant harm to the newborn. However, some ladies can hardly resist missing one glass of wine or drinking a little beer, especially since the period of natural feeding lasts quite a long time, and during this time there are many holidays or friendly gatherings, where strong drinks are almost always present. And before drinking, a woman must understand for herself that breastfeeding and alcohol are far from compatible concepts.

The effect of alcoholic beverages on the body of a nursing woman

It has long been known that alcohol is poorly compatible with the weaker sex, because the female body is structured somewhat differently than the male. While men can tolerate a certain amount of alcohol, women get drunk many times faster. And body weight is not the only indicator. The bottom line is that the body of the stronger sex has more fluid and less fat, and water actually reduces the amount of ethanol in the blood, but the presence of a fat layer, on the contrary, increases the effect of drinking alcohol.

Also, enzymes in the male liver are produced in greater quantities than in the female liver, so women process intoxicating drinks much longer. Availability menstrual cycle also enhances the toxic effect after drinking alcohol. In addition to physical differences, the female psyche is much subtler and more vulnerable, which quickly leads to the development of alcohol addiction.

The effect of alcohol on babies

It is worth noting the fact that the absorption and removal of strong drinks from the body of a nursing mother occurs a little differently than in normal times. So, drunk beer or wine is absorbed much faster, but it is excreted, on the contrary, more slowly. In this case, 10% of all alcohol passes directly into mother's milk. The removal of alcohol from milk occurs at the same time as its removal from a woman’s blood, and the greater the mother’s weight, the faster the time it takes to cleanse the body of alcohol.

For example, if a nursing woman weighing 60 kg drinks 0.5 liters of beer, it will be released from breast milk in about 2.5 hours. Strong drinks (vodka, cognac, whiskey, etc.) are removed from female body 12-13 hours after their use.

The baby can receive the maximum dose of alcohol in 40-60 minutes, if the mother drank beer or wine, literally within 10 minutes ethanol will enter the milk after a glass of sparkling drink.

Alcoholic drinks have the most negative impact on the development of the central nervous system and the development of mental and physical abilities. Alcohol-containing drinks affect each child differently: some experience drowsiness, lethargy and weakness, while others experience extreme agitation and nervousness.

In addition to the impact on nervous system crumbs, alcohol has an extremely negative effect on the cardiovascular system. The ethanol contained in intoxicating drinks leads to an unnatural rhythm of the child’s heart. After some time, the baby may experience breathing problems.

Alcohol-containing drinks also affect the baby’s digestive tract. If a mother often drinks beer or wine, it can provoke an attack of intestinal colic, or reduce the intensity of absorption of various beneficial substances in the child’s intestines.

And when mommy asks herself whether she can drink or not festive table, and how much alcohol to allow yourself, you need to consider several important factors:

• the type of alcohol and the amount the lady drank;
• how often is intoxicating drink consumed;
• how many feedings occur per day;
• the immediate age of the baby.

But, despite all the points listed, the mother must understand that after allowing herself a little weakness, alcohol will still end up in the milk, and soon in the newborn’s body. And naturally, it is important what was drunk at the holiday - dry wine, high-quality beer or vodka. The age of the baby is also decisive than less for the baby months, the more negative the effect on his body. Many experts on issues of motherhood and childhood agree that until the baby is at least six months old, it is best for the mother not to drink strong alcohol at all; this prohibition at this time even applies to various alcohol tinctures, such as tincture of valerian or motherwort.

If there is a strict taboo for children under six months of age, then when feeding older babies, restrictions are introduced for the mother on the issue of drinking alcohol. After all, the immature liver of a newborn simply cannot cope with even a small amount of alcohol that reaches him through mother’s milk.

It is important to know that a woman can drink low-alcohol drinks, such as beer, about three hours before feeding. As for vodka, whiskey and other strong alcohol, they should be excluded until the end of the breastfeeding period.

If a woman encounters situations in which she cannot adhere to the above tips, then it is better to express before going to a party. After all, mother’s milk is stored for quite a long time and does not lose its beneficial properties: in the refrigerator - a day, in the freezer - 1 month.

Some mothers wonder: to make milk pure, can they simply express it after drinking alcohol? Unfortunately, the answer is disappointing, as long as alcohols remain in the blood, they will again and again end up in mother's milk.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to drink alcohol: truth and myths

This sensitive issue is surrounded by many different myths and speculations. Here are some of them:

1. Beer leads to increased lactation. There is an opinion that if you drink this drink, the baby asks for the breast more often, therefore, more breast milk is produced. Several American scientists have conducted research on this matter. Some mothers drank alcoholic beer, while others drank non-alcoholic beer. Indeed, women who drink alcoholic beverages began to put their children to the breast more often, but the total amount of milk after such an experiment among these nursing mothers decreased by almost a third. Consequently, beer does not increase the production of mother's milk, but, on the contrary, suppresses it.
2. If the mother drinks a little alcohol, this will improve the baby's sleep. There is an opinion that if you allow yourself wine before night feeding, the baby will sleep until the morning. About 20 years ago, detailed studies were carried out in the United States, during which it turned out that after the mother drinks alcohol, the baby’s sleep actually changes, but some disruption occurs in the baby’s nervous system, and he feels a sensation close to intoxication. He simply falls into a sleepy state. And the sleep of such children is much more restless and shorter than that of those who drink regular milk.
3. A woman can drink a small amount of alcohol after the birth of a child to stabilize the emotional state of the mother. This is simply a terrible misconception, because no matter how little a woman drinks, until the age of six months, alcohol has an extremely negative effect on the newborn.
4. Intoxicating drinks tend to accumulate in breast milk. This is just a myth. After a certain time, ethanol is eliminated from breast milk, as well as from the blood.

Alcohol metabolism

There is ample evidence that drinking alcohol during pregnancy affects the development of the child. Alcohol, being a teratogen, causes congenital anomalies. Unlike the risk of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, the risk of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding has not been well studied.
However, mothers increasingly want to have a glass of wine or drink “literally a little beer” soon after giving birth.

Alcohol passes into breast milk quite quickly. On average, the maximum concentration is reached 30-60 minutes after consumption and then the blood alcohol level quickly decreases if the next dose is not taken. Alcohol does not accumulate in breast milk: its level fluctuates depending on the mother's blood alcohol level.

The child receives only a fraction of the dose of alcohol that the mother consumed. It is believed that the dose of alcohol received by a child does not exceed 16% of the volume of alcohol drunk by the mother. It all depends on the amount of alcohol you drink. 16% of a glass of wine is not the same as 16% of half a liter of tequila. Alcohol is metabolized very quickly in the human body. The average adult's blood alcohol level drops 15 to 20 mg every hour.

Breastfeeding mothers may occasionally drink alcoholic beverages, but they should be aware that they need to wait a certain time before next feeding. If baby If your child is still small and the intervals between feedings are less than 2 hours, it is worth expressing milk before drinking alcohol. However, pumping is not always necessary. For example, the baby is already a year old, he rarely breastfeeds during the daytime, the period between feedings is on average about 3-4 hours. Mom drank a glass of wine with dinner. In this case, you don’t have to pump: it will be enough to refrain from breastfeeding for 2.5-3 hours. Alcohol passes into breast milk as its concentration in the blood increases. The decrease in alcohol levels in breast milk also occurs in proportion to the decrease in blood alcohol levels.

How does alcohol affect breast milk production?

Recent studies have shown that alcohol blocks the production of oxytocin by the pituitary gland. Milk is not separated well, the child cannot get it. As a result, blockage of the milk duct, ineffective sucking and lack of saturation in the baby, and restless behavior of the child under the breast may occur. Some mothers may experience a decrease in milk production of more than 20%, and for others, alcohol completely suppresses oxytocin production.

How long after drinking alcohol can you breastfeed?

In most cases, average data on the removal of alcohol from the body are used:

To drink or not to drink?

Only a mother can make this decision. Most nursing mothers still drink alcoholic beverages in moderate doses. The American Academy of Pediatrics even considers that alcohol is conditionally compatible with breastfeeding. However, the long-term effects of alcohol on an infant are unknown.

What does a nursing mother need to remember?

• Alcohol passes freely into breast milk


• One serving of alcohol means approximately 300 ml of low-alcohol beer, 150 ml of unfortified wine or no more than 50 ml of 40% alcohol liquor


• For a woman weighing about 80 kg, it takes about 2 hours for one serving of alcohol to completely disintegrate.


• Alcohol levels in breast milk decrease as blood alcohol levels drop


• Alcohol is present in expressed milk and does not disappear anywhere. It's better to pour it out


• The maximum level of alcohol in breast milk is reached one hour after consumption


• Blood alcohol levels gradually drop. None additional measures like drinking water, coffee, tea, pumping, physical exercise, do not affect this process.


• Medicines containing ethanol also increase blood alcohol levels


• If you plan to drink alcohol, then only expressing breast milk beforehand will protect your baby from the adverse effects.

Myths about alcohol and breastfeeding

Myth: Alcohol and medications taken after the first trimester have no effect on the fetus.
Facts: Most organ development is complete by 14 weeks of pregnancy. Brain development occurs throughout pregnancy and also after birth. Therefore, various substances can affect the baby's brain at any time during pregnancy.

Myth: Drinking beer increases milk production in a nursing woman.
Facts: Alcohol passes into breast milk. Studies have shown that the baby receives less milk if the mother drinks alcohol. Therefore, in reality, drinking beer leads to a decrease in milk production.

Myth: One sip of alcohol during pregnancy is enough to harm the baby.
Facts: No one knows what is a safe dose of alcohol during pregnancy. However, it is unlikely that drinking alcohol once before you find out you are pregnant will harm your baby. Avoid drinking alcohol when you know you are pregnant.

Myth: Breastfed babies sleep better after their mother drinks alcohol.
Facts: the period of falling asleep is indeed shortened, but then a deficit of deep sleep occurs, during which the whole body rests. Alcohol affects the child's sleep and wakefulness rhythms, leading to shorter sleep duration.

Society has firmly established a critical attitude towards mothers who drink alcohol while breastfeeding. And there are good reasons for this. After all, someone will probably argue that alcohol itself is poison. And poison during breastfeeding is a serious blow to the baby’s health. But there are a lot of nuances in this topic, which will be discussed in this material.

Facts and Research

The question of how harmful alcohol is during breastfeeding is very important, but has not yet been resolved through research. Therefore, all doctors tend to give recommendations only on the basis of what threat alcohol can pose to the baby’s life in theoretical terms. Nursing mothers are advised to completely avoid drinking alcohol. But in 2006, an American doctor made his point of view on this topic publicly available. In his opinion, the categorical ban on alcohol was imposed in vain, and a nursing woman may well drink a little alcohol. But his main emphasis is on the word “a little.”

However, who can say how to understand this word? And what can alcoholic drinks entering the body of a nursing woman actually do to a child?

To answer the question of whether alcohol passes into breast milk and in what quantity, you need to understand the problem a little deeper by studying each stage of the movement of alcohol inside the female body.

1. Taking an alcoholic drink. Any alcohol first enters the stomach, where it remains for about 20 minutes. Then the alcohol moves towards the intestines.
2. Suction. Once in the upper intestine, alcohol enters the bloodstream. It only takes 10 minutes to process.
3. The maximum amount of alcohol in the blood is observed within half an hour to an hour after drinking alcohol. Champagne breaks speed records in this regard, going through the first two stages in just 10 minutes. It is at this time that the ethanol contained in the alcoholic drink also enters the milk. He will stay there for quite a long time.
4. Excretion from the body occurs at an average rate of 10 milliliters of ethanol per hour. However, everything is individual and largely depends on the strength of the drink and physical condition women. Once alcohol begins to be eliminated from the blood, it also disappears from breast milk.

Based on the above, it is worth giving unambiguous answers to women’s traditional questions.

1. Does alcohol pass into breast milk? Yes! Moreover, the milk will contain 10% of how much the mother drank.
2. At what time does a child receive the maximum amount of milk with alcohol? Half an hour to an hour after mom drinks alcohol. Champagne appears in milk within 10 minutes.
3. When can alcohol completely leave milk, and how long after can you feed your baby? It all depends on how much the woman weighs and what she drank. If we talk about a weight of 60 kg and one glass of wine, then the milk will become clear in a couple of hours. If, with the same weight, a woman drinks cognac or vodka, then cleansing will occur after 12 hours.

It is also worth dispelling the misconceptions of many mothers who believe that pumping helps clear milk from alcohol. Alcohol comes out of milk at the same time as it comes out of the blood. Therefore, it is useless to express, ethanol will return to the milk.

The effect of alcohol on a baby while breastfeeding

Despite the arguments of the American pediatrician, there is no need to talk about the safety of alcohol during breastfeeding. After all, not every mother knows when to stop and can stop at a harmless glass of good wine. Usually a woman sets the standard for herself, which can lead to dire consequences.

It’s worth talking separately about the myths that wander around this topic.

The effects of alcohol on the body

If your mother is still wondering whether she can drink while breastfeeding, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the most dangerous and common consequences of drinking alcohol.

1. Disturbance in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. In a child, ethanol stimulates an increased heart rate, which causes weakness and even breathing problems in the child.
2. External manifestations. A large amount of alcohol in milk can cause weakness and lethargy in the baby, his sleep will be disturbed, and the baby will become nervous. But the mother will understand that the amount of milk has decreased.
3. Digestive tract disorder. Alcohol can play a cruel joke even on an adult, not to mention a fragile child’s body. Once in the child’s intestines, alcohol reduces the absorption of beneficial microelements and valuable substances.
4. Liver problems. Until the baby reaches 3 months, even a glass of wine can cause a severe blow to the child’s fragile liver. She is simply unable to cope with the task, and she becomes intoxicated. Therefore, children can get the most severe liver diseases from the first days of their life.

Safe drinking

So that you can support the company at the festive table, and relax a little, you need to prepare for the gala event. And if you cannot do without completely abstaining from alcohol, then we recommend that you minimize the possible risk of taking it. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple rules and take into account some features.

1. Know your limits! Any alcohol should be taken within reasonable limits. A nursing mother can only afford a glass of wine or champagne in the evening. Just don’t use this kind of belief every day, otherwise it can lead to alcoholism.
2. If the baby is under three months old, then alcohol is out of the question.
3. Do not drink on an empty stomach. If you eat a heavy meal, alcohol will be absorbed into the blood more slowly and in reduced quantities.
4. Consider the fact that with a woman’s low body weight, ethanol takes longer to be eliminated from the body. For those with curvy figures, everything happens much faster.
5. Do not drink various sorbents. This technique will not help you reduce the amount of ethanol entering your milk. Alcohol does not accumulate in milk; it enters and leaves it along with the blood.

If you strictly remember the previous tips, then you can spend a gala evening with family and friends without any complications. And in order to minimize the risk of negative consequences for your child after your feast, we have prepared a number of other recommendations.

1. If you plan to drink at a feast, then feed your baby beforehand.
2. Pour some milk in reserve. If you are not confident that you can correctly calculate your dose of alcohol, then it is better to express the milk and put it in the refrigerator. It is better to stock up on milk for several feedings at once, because it can be safely stored for a day.
3. Do not put your child to sleep with you if you are intoxicated. Not only can the baby reach the breast on his own and drink full-degree milk, but you can accidentally crush him with your own body.

Remember how long alcohol lasts in breast milk and how long it takes for it to be excreted. Only your prudence will allow you to avoid negative consequences. Komarovsky says about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding: “Alcohol or baby? The choice is up to mom.”

With the birth of a baby, changes occur in a mother's life. Not with his birth, but under his heart. Even then expectant mother I felt the full brunt of the restrictions: nine months of self-control. And now the baby is already in your arms. But the restrictions are not over. Added to these were constant fuss, lack of sleep, worries, etc. Some women steadfastly endure various restrictions, while others, trying to relieve tension, relax, allowing themselves liberties in the form of alcohol. But what about alcohol while breastfeeding?

Is it possible to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

According to statistics, every eighth mother allows herself to drink a little alcohol. At the same time, there are those who believe that there is nothing wrong with this. Others, on the contrary, adhere to a strict taboo on drinking strong drinks. To decide whether alcohol consumption is allowed while breastfeeding, you need to know its effect not only on the mother’s body, but also on the baby.

Important! Drinking any alcohol, even in the smallest doses, is prohibited until the newborn is three months old!

It is better to avoid drinking alcohol during breastfeeding

The effect of alcohol on the body of a nursing mother and baby

One of obvious signs The effect of alcohol on the maternal body during breastfeeding is a delayed reaction. Caring for a baby requires attentiveness and control over your actions. Drinking large amounts of alcohol is dangerous because a woman temporarily loses the necessary reaction. Frequent use is detrimental to the health of the mother.

Effect on lactation

It is important to determine the effect of alcohol on the productivity of the mammary glands during breastfeeding, since natural food is an undeniable value that only the mother can provide.

Regular consumption affects the production of prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones are responsible for lactation. In addition, alcohol contributes to dehydration, which significantly affects the production of milk volumes. Alcohol changes the taste of milk, increasing the likelihood that the child will refuse natural nutrition.

Effect on baby

Alcohol negatively affects the baby's well-being

Before you decide to drink alcohol, you need to find out how alcohol during breastfeeding affects the baby. With regular consumption, the following changes in the behavior and development of the baby are noted:

1. Due to an undeveloped digestive system, there is a decrease in the absorption of beneficial components of milk. There are failures in weight gain.
2. Poor activity, drowsiness. The child seems to be falling asleep, but the sleep is not long or restful, he wakes up quickly and is capricious.
3. Crash mental development, because there is a colossal load on the nervous system.
4. Impairments in motor skills and movements.
5. Toxic effects on the immature liver, which cannot cope with ethanol because the necessary enzymes are missing.
6. The baby's heart rate increases and blood pressure changes.
7. Due to unformed microflora, the likelihood of colic increases.
8. Alcohol contributes to the destruction of the layer that protects intestinal tract baby, nausea may occur and loss of appetite.
9. In addition to ethanol, other harmful substances penetrate: acetaldehyde and phenol, which can cause poisoning of the body.
10. The basis for addiction to alcohol is laid (according to research).

The effects of alcohol on the body are most often based on research data. One of the experiments revealed that among children whose mothers did not drink alcohol or only drank alcohol occasionally, there were no differences in behavior. On the contrary, among children whose mothers regularly drank alcohol, a negative impact on the child was recorded in the form of decreased motor skills, reactions and other developmental delays.

Consequences for the child in the future

The influence is not only temporary, it is considered from the perspective of the future. Based on research, the effects of alcohol on a baby during breastfeeding have been identified in the form of alcohol consequences and the development of alcoholism.

Since the functioning of the rat body is close to that of humans, studies on these animals have revealed the following facts:

• insufficient level of development of immune cells;
• psychological disorders;
• addiction: the likelihood of dependence on alcohol and drugs in the future increases.

Alcohol abuse by a woman during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause alcohol dependence in a child in the future.

Alcohol during lactation - myths and reality

1. “Beer enhances the functioning of the mammary gland.” This opinion was formed on the basis of some observations: the child eats more often, the number of feedings increases. Accordingly, they believe that the volume of natural food has increased. Although it has been proven that an intoxicating drink can reduce lactation by a quarter of times.
2. “A small dose will help your baby calm down and fall asleep.” Some benefactors, feeling sorry for a tired mother, advise drinking a little wine before the evening feeding so that the baby can sleep better at night. But studies have shown the opposite: at first the baby becomes calmer and falls asleep. But this sleep is short, not complete, the child wakes up, becomes agitated, not rested. A baby who has consumed “healthy” milk sleeps more peacefully (in the absence of other irritants), and after sleep he is rested.
3. “The taste of the milk will not change.” Along with some foods (garlic, pepper), alcohol changes the taste.
4. “As a result of pumping, harmful components will not reach the baby.” It is important to remember: alcohol does not collect in natural food, but in the blood and gradually enters it. Accordingly, pumping will not give results. Drinking extra fluid won't help either.
5. “A single intoxication will not cause harm.” A one-time consumption of “intoxicated” milk may not affect the further development of the baby. But what about a mother’s ability to care for a child in this state? The consequences may not be predictable.
6. “A minimal dose of alcohol will help relieve tension and depression.” But the statement is extremely incorrect. Perhaps the mother will be distracted from the problem for a while, but the psychological parameters will not improve. After returning to reality, depression will only get worse.
7. “You need to drink a little red wine to improve blood formation.” This will do more harm than good. And wine can be replaced with pomegranate juice.
8. “If you can’t have beer, then you can’t have kefir.” Kefir is also obtained by fermentation, but with correct use it will only bring benefits. Its main merit is the normalization of intestinal function.

A breastfeeding woman should choose healthy image life

Drink or abstain

How can this be? Is it okay to drink a glass of wine sometimes while breastfeeding? Some experts categorically state: alcohol is unacceptable during feeding. There is no certainty in the answer. Doctors admit that consuming small doses is harmful to the baby. On the other hand, some experts allow a little wine or a small amount of beer, arguing that there will be no serious impact on the baby. Experts advise limiting consumption to a couple of times a week.

Is it possible to drink wine during breastfeeding and what kind: white or red?

When deciding what kind of wine you can drink while breastfeeding, the benefits are taken into account first of all.

Dry red wine has a higher amount of antioxidants that have a positive effect on the body. They are also available in white, but a little smaller. It is the skin and pits that are valuable; they give away the wine useful components. And in the production of white wine, they are extracted. It has a positive effect on the nervous system, suppresses the proliferation of cancer cells, and helps prevent stroke. A woman should be completely confident in the quality of the product.

But no matter how useful it is, you should not forget that it is alcohol. Even in small volumes it can cause nausea and weakness.

Important! Red wine is allergenic, which will cause negative symptoms in infants.

Red wine can cause an allergic reaction in your baby

Is it possible to drink champagne while breastfeeding?

Is it permissible for a woman to sometimes treat herself and drink a glass of champagne if she is breastfeeding? Answer: no, it is just as dangerous as other similar alcohol. It is known that ethanol will be in the blood within a quarter of an hour, even before wine. The presence of gas contributes to the formation of colic and gas formation. Capable of producing intoxication.

Beer during breastfeeding

Sometimes a woman wants to get an answer: is it possible to drink beer while breastfeeding, how will drinking affect the baby.

The natural product is made using barley grains and hops, they are not allergenic. Beer contains B vitamins. Light drinks and those packaged in glass are preferred.

A glass of beer during lactation can be consumed without any detrimental effect on the baby. But with greater consumption, greater impact. Consequently, the body of mother and child will take a long time to return to normal. The likelihood of intoxication of the baby’s body increases.

You can only afford beer in minimal quantities while breastfeeding.

Soft drinks

The very concept of “non-alcoholic” is somewhat controversial. Beer and wine are produced by fermentation. If there is no alcohol, it is preserved using harmful additives.

Non-alcoholic wine

The technological production of non-alcoholic wine involves freezing or strong heating, as a result of which the alcohol evaporates. But to increase shelf life, hormones and preservatives are added, and this reduces the usefulness by an order of magnitude. Considering that hormonal background women have not yet returned to normal after childbirth, this is an additional burden. When breastfeeding, it is better to replace non-alcoholic wine with natural grape or pomegranate juice.

Is it possible to drink non-alcoholic beer while breastfeeding?

Women often try to figure out whether it is possible to drink non-alcoholic beer while breastfeeding. Such beer is acceptable, but it is advisable to choose one without added dyes and chemical preservatives.

Rules for drinking alcohol during lactation

You should not feed your baby immediately after drinking alcohol; in this case, it is better to express the milk

When a woman decides to treat herself to something strong, it is recommended to know and adhere to the rules for drinking alcohol while breastfeeding:

1. Since the effect of alcohol depends on the volume drunk, important role dose plays. Minimum amount of beer, wine, champagne. Consumption up to 50 g. It is recommended to avoid stronger ones.
2. Do not use at all until the child has reached the age of three months.
3. Consider your weight.
4. Consuming related products should not be done on an empty stomach.
5. If possible, express before the holiday and make a reserve for at least one feeding.
6. It is advisable to skip feeding after drinking alcohol and express milk.

Important! It is impossible to neutralize milk either with sorbents or by consuming a large volume of liquid. Milk becomes safe after the alcohol has completely disintegrated and left the blood. Accordingly, this procedure will not help completely; the loading dose may decrease. As long as there is alcohol in the blood, it is also present in the baby’s food.

How much can you drink

First you need to know how much alcohol is sometimes allowed. Consumption of different volumes and different types alcohol does not produce the same effects. For example, half a glass of beer while breastfeeding will have less impact than a glass.

How long does it take for alcohol to get into milk?

Alcohol enters the digestion immediately, and after 20 minutes it is already circulating in the bloodstream. The maximum percentage of content is achieved within half an hour of consumption without food. After 1.5 hours, if consumed in combination with food. The same time is required to penetrate into milk, and the specific gravity of alcohol in milk is equal to its specific gravity in the blood, about 10% of the amount consumed.

Important to remember! Ethanol enters milk faster, but is excreted, on the contrary, much more slowly.

Time for alcohol removal from milk

The release time is individual, it is directly determined by the following factors:

1. The period of exit from the child itself depends on the age. At the beginning of life (the first month), the digestive and excretory systems are poorly developed. It is recommended to completely eliminate alcohol consumption for up to 3 months. The main indicator is known: alcohol is eliminated from a child’s body two times slower than from an adult.
2. Woman's body weight. The lower your weight, the longer it takes for alcohol to be eliminated.
3. Amount drunk.
4. Use with or without food. Fatty foods significantly prevent alcohol from entering the bloodstream.
5. A type of alcohol.

For example, a mother who weighs about 60 kg, while breastfeeding, will drink a glass of beer in a couple of hours. How much would it take if the drink was stronger? About 10-12 o'clock.

Note! Alcohol does not accumulate in milk. It leaves at the same time as it leaves the blood.

Table of the dependence of the time of elimination of alcohol from milk on the mother’s body weight

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Often breastfeeding women turn to the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky. Regarding strong alcohol, his statements are ambiguous. And beer is not included in the prohibited products under several conditions:

1. This must be natural product, containing natural ingredients and vitamins.
2. Do not overdo it with the volume of consumption, since beer contains alcohol (the exception is a soft drink).

You can hear the pediatrician's opinion in more detail in the video.

The birth of a baby is a considerable responsibility to all parents, and especially to his mother, since it is her lifestyle that will determine the fate and health of the child in the future. As a rule, during pregnancy, expectant mothers adhere to all dietary rules. However, during the period of breastfeeding, and especially when it drags on, some new parents begin to allow themselves such weaknesses as a glass of wine.

Komarovsky and many other pediatricians do not consider drinking low-strength alcohol while breastfeeding to be strictly prohibited. Today, the issue of the influence of weak alcohol remains quite controversial. And even despite the fact that domestic doctors strongly do not recommend consuming it for mothers who give milk, it is generally accepted that a glass of red wine or a low-alcohol cocktail does not have any risks regarding the baby’s health.

In order to understand this issue, it is necessary to understand how alcohol enters milk and subsequently harms the baby’s health.

Alcohol and breastfeeding are not the best combination. It should be noted that in the body of nursing mothers, wine is absorbed faster, and, on the contrary, is excreted more slowly. Within half an hour, ethanol molecules contained in wine enter the bloodstream, and this happens much faster with sparkling wine - only 10 minutes.

Alcohol enters a nursing mother's milk through the blood. Accordingly, it does not matter how often pumping is done. It should be noted that several hours after the feast, the maximum concentration of alcohol in mother's milk is observed.

Elimination of alcohol from mother's milk

The following factors directly determine the concentration of alcohol in the blood, respectively, in mother’s milk:

1. Mother's weight. The process of removing alcohol from the mother's blood and milk directly depends on the woman's weight.
2. Volume of strong drinks consumed. It is logical to assume that the less you drink, the faster everything excess will be eliminated from the body.
3. Availability of snacks. You should not drink strong drinks on an empty stomach.

What does Komarovsky think about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding?

Pediatric doctor Komarovsky says that alcohol during breastfeeding has different effects on the child. So, the pediatrician believes, a nursing woman can drink very little beer. And if you consume high-quality drinks in minimal quantities, you can get some benefits in the form of vitamins contained in barley malt and brewer's yeast.

Naturally, in addition to vitamins, foamy drinks contain various preservatives, which, in turn, will not bring any benefits. positive results neither on the body of a young mother, nor on her child. However, if a young woman still cannot resist the temptation to drink a glass of beer, Komarovsky advises choosing a drink in a glass bottle.

And although the pediatrician is against categorical prohibitions on alcohol consumption, he is deeply confident that strong alcoholic drinks such as vodka, whiskey or cognac can have irreversible consequences on the child’s health. Watch the video where Evgeny Komarovsky shares valuable information on breastfeeding, and also answers frequently asked questions from his “school” students.

What are the dangers of drinking alcohol for a baby?

It all depends on how often mom drinks a glass of the “forbidden” drink. In a baby whose mother rarely allows herself such weaknesses, doctors identify signs such as fatigue and drowsiness. However, more negative consequences can occur in children whose mothers often get involved in drinking. Let's consider the results of the harmful effects of strong drinks during breastfeeding.

1. The baby becomes overly excitable. This is explained by the fact that alcoholic drinks have an adverse effect on the child’s central nervous system. As a result, the baby becomes unbalanced, his sleep is disturbed, and in some cases the child becomes lethargic and loses his energy.
2. When a parent abuses alcoholic beverages, the baby is diagnosed with a rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. This leads to serious consequences.
3. It is also worth noting how negatively alcohol affects the functioning of the digestive tract. Namely, it aggravates attacks of colic, which, in turn, is explained by the immaturity of the microflora in babies. Moreover, there is a risk of delayed development of children in psychophysical terms.
4. Another vulnerable one children's organ which suffers from intoxication is the liver. The liver of a newborn baby cannot itself fight the effects of ethanol contained in alcohol. And even a small dose can lead to malfunction of this organ.
5. And the worst consequence is the risk of the child developing alcohol dependence. Due to the irresponsible attitude of the parent, he may develop an addiction, because the harmful effect of alcohol on a child’s fragile body is much stronger than on an adult.

The consequences listed above may become more pronounced if alcohol is abused.

What to do if you can’t eliminate alcoholic beverages 100%

If a nursing mother still fails during breastfeeding or for some reason is unable to completely give up alcoholic beverages, she should adhere to several rules that will help minimize the negative impact of ethanol on the child:

1. Feed your baby before a feast involving alcohol. Remember that it is necessary to provide the required “safe” amount of nutrition, express “pure” milk so that there is enough for several meals for the baby.
2. Determine for yourself the maximum permissible dose of alcoholic beverages: one hundred milliliters of wine or beer is your “safety limit”.
3. Express the milk in advance and put it in the refrigerator.
4. Never give your baby “poisoned” milk, if available. Remember, this will only harm your child.
5. Give preference to products good quality, even if the price of this drink exceeds your financial expectations, because your child’s health is much more expensive.

So, let's summarize. Probably no one will argue with the fact that the time of pregnancy planning, the pregnancy itself, as well as the period of breastfeeding are important stages in the birth of a new little life. Future parents should understand how important this time is in the subsequent development of the baby. During breastfeeding, the long-awaited baby receives its very first and necessary vitamins and minerals, which will further help the formation of strong immunity and good health. And in order for the baby’s development to take place with maximum benefit for him, you should ask yourself one question: is it worth putting your beloved child at risk by drinking a glass of an “unfriendly” drink? Breast period“flies by” very quickly, and it is quite possible to survive it without alcohol.