I have repeatedly read forums discussing the amount of alcohol that can be passed on through BFing and I continue to see the argument that one would have to be almost lethally drunk for it to be enough to be harmful to a baby...I'm not sure I'm buying that, but what do you think if this math?
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I don't know if the math is right but I do agree that the body and breasts filter a lot. I never nursed after drinking but once I had pumped and dumped I nursed again and I'm sure there was still alcohol (some level) still in my system.
grapefruit / 4291 posts
I'm not sure of the math but I'm pretty sure that a baby's liver, kidneys etc wouldn't be as efficient at processing the alcohol as an adults would. They're also at an age where they're going through a lot if brain development that an adult isn't and their mass is like 10% of an adults!
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
I don't know about the math. I have nursed LO after drinking. My rule is if I am too buzzed to drive--or buzzed at all for that matter--I don't BF. I have only had a few drinks pp, so it hasn't been an issue for me.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
I don't think that math is right, but I think it's close. I do agree that a baby's kidney's probably can't filter the alcohol as well as an adult, so you can't assume that the math for an adult would be the same for a baby.
That said, I breastfeed after drinking. A lactation consultant told me that if I couldn't feel it (a.k.a. I didn't feel buzzed), then it's perfectly safe to nurse.
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
Hmm, interesting. I do agree that a baby's organs couldn't filter alcohol the same way an adult would. I'm personally too chicken to drink. I think the most I ever had was 1/2 a glass of wine once she was STTN, so I had almost 10 hours to "digest" the wine!
olive / 72 posts
I have about as much alcohol dehydrogenase (the enzyme that breaks down alcohol) as a dead fruitfly. I scoff at the "3-4 drinks" since I can look at a margarita and turn red. Keeps my bar tab down nicely.
But seriously, there's no way to tell what any amounts of alcohol does to baby brains and bodies. I'm sure some can tolerate it well while others (like a baby that has half of my genes) will not. In general though, I'm worried about what ethanol does to a developing brain. As a paranoid neuroscientist that couldn't drink well before pregnancy, I'm planning not to drink at all while breastfeeding.
coconut / 8483 posts
MODG had this to say:
. YES you can do both. I have at least one glass of wine a night. I follow the rule that if you feel ok, you’re fine to feed. Here’s what you have to remember: the baby isn’t getting straight up booz. Your milk alcohol content is the same as your blood alcohol content. A friend of a friend did a study on this and found that fresh squeezed orange juice has a booz content of .09. The legal drunk limit is .08. So if you were legally drunk, that’s still less alcohol going into your baby than if you were to give them fresh squeezed OJ. Now, I’m not saying go do 4 mind erasers in a mini skirt like a slore. But I am saying that it’s fine to have a drink or two. Those Euros do way worse. Where my Euros at?
nectarine / 2085 posts
@Mrs. Champagne: I have always thought that explains a lot about the Euros. 
Sante!
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
@Mrs. Champagne: I truly do frickin adore MODG! I know her hippie ass researched it to hell and back so that makes me feel like there is some validity to the math above!!! Granted, I'm not trying to do 4 mind erasers, I just feel guilty sometimes bc I do like my wine and there are just no super clear answers. Breastfeeding is like pregnancy- everyone makes you feel like you have to be a Saint or you'll harm your LO:(. Thank you so much for posting!!!!
coconut / 8483 posts
@PrincessBaby: hahaha we don't even have kids and I love MODG (even though she's getting a bit whiny lately).
So annoying that there is never any concrete research on things. I'm totally of the mind that a glass or two is fine. Just don't get all wild and slore like! Hahaha
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 1 | 0 |
| Posts | 0 | 1 |
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
12 comments