Okay, so I should probably know this from last time, BUT I can't remember.
I desperately want one of the pumpkin beers that DH has in the fridge. But little man is just starting to cluster feed, and is nursing in bunches.
What are the rules about having a drink while breastfeeding? (My milk hasn't come in, it's just colostrum).
nectarine / 2834 posts
I'm not sure what the "rule" is or if there even is one but when I drink, I'll have a beer or glass of wine right after nursing. There's also the old wives tale that beer is good for your supply!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Typically beer is most potent in your bloodstream (breastmilk) 30 - 60 minutes after. Kellymom'e rule of thumb is it stays in your milk for about 2 hours. But then it all depends on your weight and alcohol tolerance. Kellymom also said rule of thumb is if you don't feel safe to drive then you should not breastfeed.
When my baby was nursing every 30-60m I definitely abstained..... 
I gave up my fave Sam Adams Octoberfest last time, so I understand!
nectarine / 2028 posts
I think it was Kellymom that also says "if you can drive you can breastfeed".....I think having one is okay!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Bao: @ChiCalGoBee: I'm a weakling and definitely can't drive after one average beer.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@regberadaisy: for me it depends how fast I drink and what I've had to eat. If I felt buzzed I wouldn't nurse.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
The LC at my hospital said one drink was fine. Even with the cluster feeding, just drink it slowly and you might end up drinking while nursing, but it's totally fine. (Says me).
I was sort of careful not to have more than one early on. Later I went with the ok to drive ok to nurse rule (so I felt ok having a couple of drinks in an evening, over some hours, and still nursing).
Now I want pumpkin beer but I'm still pregnant.
kiwi / 556 posts
@Mrs. Oatmeal: Both my midwife and the lactation consultants I've worked with have said a drink is entirely fine (whether before, during, or after a nursing session). As others have said, if you were buzzed you'd want to hold off. Maybe as a compromise since you're worried just have half and give the rest to your husband! I'm sure he won't complain. 
Here is an article that I read which echoed what the LC's told me.
http://www.breastfeedingplace.com/alcohol-and-breast-milk-how-much-gets-passed-on-to-the-baby/
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
I routinely have a beer or two and still breastfeed my 9mo and don't time anything. When he was a newborn I think I would have one beer and still nurse. The amount of alcohol that actually passes to the baby so negligible...
kiwi / 556 posts
also- like oatmeal or Brewers yeast, the barley in beer is also known to be a galacatagogue 
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
Ds2 is just over two months and I'll have a half a glass of wine after he's down around 8 because it's his longest stretch of sleep and I feel ok about it. With that said, I have an extremely low alcohol tolerance otherwise I'd probably day drink too.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I would pick a long stretch and right after nursing have a few sips or half a beer. I was always so worried when they were so itty bitty and waited until they were older to really have a full drink or two.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I've had two drinks tonight and just fed mine. Whatever. Maybe he'll sleep extra well tonight
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
Thanks everyone!
Fell asleep on the couch before I had the chance to actually drink my beer....so maybe tomorrow night, haha!
pomegranate / 3411 posts
i wouldn't worry about one drink. The only rule i remember trying to stick to was to drink as close to when i breastfed if possible, so it has time to get out of your milk before feeding again.
pomegranate / 3658 posts
Totally fine. I'm drinking a pumpkin beer right now and I'll dream-feed LO shortly before we go to bed.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Mrs. Oatmeal: LOL!!! Classic. enjoy when you do!
nectarine / 2262 posts
DS is 1 month old and I'd love to have a glass of wine after abstaining during pregnancy... but I am so tired I would immediately pass out and you probably couldn't wake me up! LOL
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@MrsADS: that's true- I remember the first few weeks I was more worried that if I had a beer I wouldn't be able to stay awake nursing in the motn than about any alcohol passing through!
pineapple / 12566 posts
@californiadreams: This is what I did. I had an LC tell me to either have a drink right after BF or drink during BF.
pomelo / 5573 posts
I used to drink WHILE nursing - I figured that that was the longest possible gap until my next nursing session.
honeydew / 7622 posts
@ms.line: great article!
When I got home from the hospital my Mom brought me a six pack.
persimmon / 1161 posts
@erinbaderin: I did the same thing. I figured that if I was nursing at the time the it definitely wasn't in my blood stream and therefore not my milk either.
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
Um, I usually had my glass of wine when I was nursing DD2 down for the night.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
30 comments