How often do you have a drink or two? How long do you wait before bf for each drink you have? I have read mixed opinions on how long it takes before ou can bf after each drink. Planning to go out tonight and drink socially, but want to have more than one drinK. Might have vodka or wine.
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I've had a few occasions where I've had a serving of wine (which is 4-5 oz, way less than what I used to pour in my glass). I feed him right before I want to drink it (usually this is also his bedtime feed & he'll sleep for at least 3 hours after). I drink just one & it's really only for flavor, since it's not enough to make me buzzed.
I wait about 2 hours after I finish the glass to feed him again. The first time I had wine, I had a bottle ready but I've figured out that I have enough time to let it get "out of my system". I've heard "If you're sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to breastfeed." so I go with that (although their is still some amount of alcohol in your milk for about 2-3 hours after drinking).
LO is only 8 weeks, so I don't really want to put any alcohol at all in his body. I'm okay with a small bit of wine, but not harder liquor (something like vodka takes longer to metabolize).If you want to have more than one drink or drink something harder, I suggest having bottles ready for him to get through 6-ish hours after you finish your last drink. You'll probably also want to pump & dump during that time if you feel engorged.
Have fun tonight!
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I go by the sober enough to drive, sober enough to breastfeed rule. As long as you've informed yourself as best you can, I think it's a matter of personal comfort. Do what you feel is right and when in doubt have a bottle... for the baby that is!
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You can also buy test strips that will tell you the alcohol content of your BM. I haven't used them before, but some friends have. I try and nurse beforehand but if I can't, I just have one glass of wine. Of course, I'm a lightweight - first time I had wine after LO was born, I had to lie down and take a nap because it made me so tired!
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If I was to have more than 1 drink, I would do no more than 1 every 2 hours, and try to have a 2 hour gap between the last drink and BFing LO ... I generally follow the rule that if I can feel the effects of the drink it isn't appropriate to BF LO.
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I bought the alcohol test strips so I wouldn't have to guess. But if it was just a couple of drinks, I would usually wait 4 hours. If I had more than that, I would use the strips to confirm.
Have fun!!
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I found it hard to have the drink right after pumping since I was usually going somewhere like dinner. I also drink slowly so I've just been dumping because there isn't a ton of time left until the next pump. My supply is fine, so it's not a big deal. I would want a full 2 hours after the last drink (if I'd had just one) to feel comfortable. I have one drink whenever I feel like it which is a few nights a week. I've only had more than one a couple of times.
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See the chart at the bottom of this link to see how much time to wait based on number of drinks and your weight. http://www.motherisk.org/women/updatesDetail.jsp?content_id=347
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After I have a drink I wait 2 hours before feeding LO.
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Thanks ladies! I pumped and dumped when I got home. The fed the feeding after the bottle which was 9 hrs from last drink.
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2 hrs gap at the minimum. My LO nurses every 2 hrs so I haven't had a drink in ages. And pump and dump is not necessary per kellymom
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I think the pump & dump is only necessary if you've got a very long time in between feedings & feel engorged, but still feel the effects of the drink.
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@MrsBeachyBaby: Pumping and dumping is actually unnecessary, and like @mewtill said, it's only needed if you're engorged and can't bf right away. I will usually limit myself to 2 drinks, sometimes 1 depending on what time i have a drink. I try to drink early in the night so that i have some time to let the alcohol leave the system. Just remember that alcohol levels are at its highest 30-90 minutes after your last drink.
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