How much wine while breastfeeding

The alcohol level in your breast milk will peak at about 1 hour after consuming 1 standard drink. This is a guide and the amount of alcohol in your breast milk will depend on different factors. These include your weight, how fast you drink and if you have eaten. When drinking alcohol, you may want to express to relieve breast fullness or engorgement. There is no need to store this breast milk as it will contain alcohol.

This means they may sleep for shorter periods than normal. It can also affect their quality of sleep. At this level of drinking, 1 or 2 drinks, the concentration of alcohol reaching the baby through the milk is about 30 times less than what is consumed by the mother. The best way to avoid exposing your baby to alcohol in breast milk, even in small amounts, is to follow the guidance above.

Drinking more than recommended can be harmful to your health. Alcohol can affect your ability to control your behaviour and your body, like thinking, talking, walking and even breathing. The safest place for your baby to sleep at night is in a cot in your room.

Do not share a bed with your baby if you have taken alcohol, drugs or medication that may make you sleep more heavily. Only time will reduce and remove the amount of alcohol in your breast milk and in your bloodstream.

If you express milk after you drink alcohol, this milk will contain alcohol and does not need to be stored. Express enough milk before drinking so that your babysitter can feed your baby. Express milk beforehand if you plan to drink more than one or two standard drinks. Your baby can have expressed milk if they need a feed while you have alcohol in your system.

You may need to talk to your public health nurse, GP practice nurse or midwife about formula milk. They can give you advice on how to correctly prepare, handle and store formula milk if needed. Express your milk to relieve any breast fullness or engorgement. This breast milk will contain alcohol so there is no need to save it.

Find a breastfeeding support group near you. Page last reviewed: 14 November Next review due: 14 November Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them. Alcohol and breastfeeding. If you choose to drink alcohol once breastfeeding is established, there are steps you can take to avoid passing alcohol to your baby through your milk: Feed your baby before drinking alcohol.

Express your breast milk beforehand if you plan to drink more than 2 standard drinks - 1 standard drink is a half a pint of beer, a single measure of spirits or a small glass of wine. Wait 2 hours after each standard drink before breastfeeding your baby. Drink no more than 11 standard drinks in a week. Spread your drinks over the week. Have at least 2 alcohol-free days per week.

There's no level of alcohol in breast milk that's considered safe for a baby to drink. When you drink alcohol, it passes into your breast milk at concentrations similar to those found in your bloodstream. Although a breast-fed baby is exposed to just a fraction of the alcohol his or her mother drinks, a newborn eliminates alcohol from his or her body at only half the rate of an adult.

Research suggests that breast-fed babies who are exposed to one drink a day might have impaired motor development and that alcohol can cause changes in sleep patterns. If you choose to drink, avoid breast-feeding until alcohol has completely cleared your breast milk. If you plan to drink alcohol, consider having a drink just after breast-feeding so that the alcohol begins to clear your breast milk during the natural interval between breast-feeding sessions.

Pumping and dumping breast milk doesn't speed the elimination of alcohol from your body. However, if you'll be missing a breast-feeding session, pumping and dumping will help you maintain your milk supply and avoid engorgement.

Remember, breast-feeding is the optimal way to feed a newborn and is recommended until a baby is at least age 1. If you choose to drink, plan carefully to avoid exposing your baby to alcohol. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required.

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Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. The let-down of a mother who abuses alcohol may be affected by her alcohol consumption, and she may not breastfeed enough. The baby may sleep excessively, or may not suck effectively leading to decreased milk intake. The baby may even suffer from delayed motor development. So, it is possible to have a drink while you are breastfeeding — just in moderation!

Remember that small amounts of alcohol move into breast milk when you drink an alcoholic beverage and as your body metabolises the alcohol the amount in your breast milk will also decrease. A little planning ahead can help you to minimise the amount of alcohol that reaches your baby and help you enjoy the occasional drink.

What have you heard about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding? What questions do you have about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding? For specific advice about your baby or your healthcare needs, you should seek advice from your health professional. Medela does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information instead of seeing a health professional.

If you or your baby require urgent medical attention, please contact your nearest emergency department. Discover our new range of pacifiers — made in Switzerland.

Choose a location. Your breastfeeding journey. Events overview News overview. Share this content. Should I Pump and Dump? The time that it takes for your liver to detoxify the alcohol in your system will not be sped up by coffee, cold showers, fresh air or exercise. Planning Ahead is Key If you do have an alcoholic drink, make sure you allow at least a couple of hours for the alcohol to go through your system before your next breastfeed. Everything in Moderation So, it is possible to have a drink while you are breastfeeding — just in moderation!

References Anderson, P. Alcohol and Breastfeeding. Journal of Human Lactation, 11 4 , — Haastrup MB et al. Alcohol and breastfeeding. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. Short-term effects of maternal alcohol consumption on lactational performance. Mennella, J.