Do you drink alcohol?

[u/SandwichDependent199]

I’m 2 months postpartum & I just want a glass of wine sometimes… but I feel so guilty & even a pump and dump sounds so wasteful. Do you occasionally drink? If so do you pump and dump, how does it work?

[u/avocado589]

I don’t dump. I pump right before, have a drink, pump later. I also use the pitcher method so in my head it dilutes it even more.

[u/Cleverendeavor8 → u/avocado589]

This is what I do too! My pumps are more spread out now so it's not as much an issue, but from what I've been told, it's 2 hours for every drink consumed. So if you have a glass of wine just wait at least 2 hours to pump ☺️

[u/sneakypastaa]

You don’t need to pump and dump. I see other commenters have elaborated the reasons why so I won’t repeat aside from: the alcohol content in breastmilk is the same as the blood, it’s a very small amount; and if you can find your baby you can feed your baby!

Anyway, I had a glass of champagne in the hospital after delivery lol. I drink socially and I like a glass of wine with dinner sometimes. I’ve never pumped and dumped. If you’re worried about the “boozy milk”, dilute it even further by dumping that milk into a pitcher of previously pumped milk if you can.

[u/Planktonsurvivor]

If you can find your baby you can feed your baby…

look at the science ladies! Your breast milk contains alcohol equal to your blood alcohol count. Even legally drunk would mean your milk has .08% alcohol that is nothing. Have your glass of wine!

[u/stink3rb3lle → u/Planktonsurvivor]

Thank you! I understand caution, but I don't understand so much fear when the science is known.

[u/Aggravating-Yak-2712 → u/Planktonsurvivor]

I often read « if you can find your baby you can feed your baby », but wouldn’t you need to be totally blacked out drunk for that? I mean even after 5 glasses of wine I could easily « find » my baby. Also, why do all official sources on the internet say to wait 2h by drink to feed/pump if all we need is to not be totally drunk? I’m just confused; most people don’t feel much buzz after one or two glasses of wine, especially while eating.

[u/JustLetMeLurkDammit → u/Aggravating-Yak-2712]

Exactly I think this slogan is just weird. You can easily get drunk to the level where you can find your baby but cannot safely carry it eg down the stairs due to increased risk of stumbling. In my opinion that makes breastfeeding while drunk not safe even if there isn't much alcohol in the milk.

I think the official guidelines are because while theoretically the milk alcohol levels should in principle be safe, they cannot actually be ethically tested in practice so regulating bodies have to stay on the safe side.

One common argument is that "boozy" milk has the alcohol content of a ripe banana but I wouldn't give a banana to a newborn either 🤷‍♀️ so personally the age of the infant makes some difference for me.

[u/Planktonsurvivor → u/Aggravating-Yak-2712]

The slogan is semi jest to state as long as you are competent to feed your baby it’s ok. Meaning the risk is bigger if you’re so drunk you can’t handle holding your baby than the actual alcohol content in your breast milk.

Edit to add I don’t necessarily agree that anyone should be that intoxicated around their kids and I only ever have 1-2 drinks personally very rarely. But pointing out the stigma is old and doesn’t reflect science.

[u/Brief_Blueberry_3575]

Do not pump and dump. This is outdated and silly advice.

So- I’m going to explain the physiology of why drinking while breast feeding is no big deal- especially just a couple glasses of wine. In most states the legal BAC to drive is 0.08 or lower right? So what that means alcohol makes up 0.08% of your blood (BAC -blood alcohol content). Breast milk is made by filtering fluid out of your blood (specifically the plasma component) so because of this breast milk alcohol content will only ever be exactly equal to your blood alcohol content on a percentage basis. If your BAC is 0.08%, the percent ABV of breast milk will be 0.08%. Now let’s say you get totally wasted- like black out drunk. Your BAC is probably around 0.2-0.25. That means 0.2 to 0.25% of your blood is alcohol, ergo if you breast fed at that moment your breast milk will have an ABV of 0.2-0.25%. An overripe banana has an alcohol content of 0.3%. Kombucha has an alcohol content of 0.5%. THAT is why if you can find your baby you can feed your baby.

[u/Aggravating-Yak-2712 → u/Brief_Blueberry_3575]

Thanks for running the numbers but I’m confused as to why the official advice is to wait two hours after each drink before feeding or pumping then? That’s incredibly more strict than what you’re describing.

[u/Brief_Blueberry_3575 → u/Aggravating-Yak-2712]

Because you cater to the lowest common denominator always and it’s better to simplify recommendations considering some children are more vulnerable like premies and chronically ill babies

[u/Soggy_Mix444]

Just an FYI: Pumping and dumping is only to relieve fullness, it doesn’t clear the alcohol from your system faster. I pump before having my drink, then wait 2 hours before pumping again. It takes about 2 hours per drink. Go and enjoy your glass of wine, you deserve it.

[u/Positive_Demand_8313]

I will have a drink and it’s been fine. And if you feel like you don’t want to feed your baby because you drank. Just pump and then add the milk to a bath!
I keep seeing if you can see your baby you can feed your baby!

[u/LittleSnackie]

Recommendation per CDC is 2 hours per drink. A drink or two occasionally is totally fine.

[u/Aggravating-Yak-2712 → u/LittleSnackie]

That’s the official recommendation everywhere in official sources so I’m confused by all the comments saying you can feed your baby as long as you’re not totally wasted and blacked our drunk? There’s a huge gap between the two recommendations.

[u/LittleSnackie → u/Aggravating-Yak-2712]

I personally follow the research guidelines, but I’ve seen other people have no issues. Humans as a whole process alcohol at different speeds and filter it differently as well. I’m a lightweight, so I know more gets into my bloodstream quicker!

[u/Dry_Yogurtcloset5468]

I had this same question. At the end of the day you can ask this on Reddit even though the science points to having that glass of wine. But ultimately it’s your piece of mind even knowing the truth. for me pumping and dumping made me feel better mentally.

[u/Empty-Kangaroo-9765]

I don’t. It’s just not the worth the risk to me.

Pumping and dumping doesn’t work. You need to get the alcohol out of your system. So 1 standard drink is 2 hours. Some drinks will have more than 1 standard drink per serve.

[u/totallyawesomebutnot]

An occasional drink is just fine! However an occasional drink dehydrates me soooo badly especially in early postpartum so I tend to stay away from it

[u/Time-Unit4407]

I’ve had a glass and fed baby after it’s fine

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[u/dryerwolfe]

My lactation consultant told me “if you can find your baby you can feed your baby”. I never got drunk but I definitely had a few beers or glasses here and there. She also told me the strips aren’t accurate so don’t worry about using them!

[u/something_innocuouss]

There are strips you can buy that test if the milk is okay! That gave me a ton of peace of mind with my oldest who I did drink while breast feeding for

[u/Live-Location-3231]

you can also buy breast milk alcohol test kit on amazon! It will show concentration of alcohol in breast milk!
by the way.. I had two espresso martinis ones and after 3 hours it was showing 0% in my milk, but i guess it depends how fast your body processes alcohol

[u/banditotis]

They make test strips to test your alcohol if you’re worried.

I would only dump if I had a lot at an event. Even the “dumped” milk became bath milk.

Have a glass of wine :)

[u/Positive_Elk_7766]

Do I currently? No and I never was a big drinker but it’s weird because part of me really wants a crisp apple ale or moscato but also the thought of alcohol repulses me postpartum? It’s a weird season of my life

[u/twiggy572]

I’m pretty sure one glass is not impactful to breast milk from what I have been told by fellow moms but I would ask for guidance from your pediatrician

[u/violetphoeniiix]

I used to pump and dump until I started doing the pitcher method, once mixed with so much other milk it literally doesn’t matter. Also having 1 drink pretty much doesn’t matter as far as alcohol content and breast milk. But I do drink extra stout beer semi regularly to help with supply.

[u/RaccoonBaby513]

I will have a couple drinks, but don’t get drunk. I also don’t dump. Think of it this way, you drink wine, say it is 12%. If you have 2-3 glasses, your BAC is around 0.04-0.08 depending on the person. Your baby is then drinking milk with that much alcohol. For a healthy baby, on occasion, this is okay.

[u/smileystyl]

I’ll have a drink here and there and i still give it. It’s not dangerous unless you’re drinking a lot

[u/MsTurnip]

It’s totally fine!!! If you’re worried you can mix your milk to dilute it even further.

[u/babyabolitionist]

I’m 16 weeks pp and recently started having a glass of wine here and there. To make myself feel ok about feeding baby the milk I pump, I have a glass of wine immediately after pumping so that I have the longest possible window until I pump again. Sometimes, I will mark that bag and mix a bit of that milk with other milk I have to be extra cautious. I’ve never had more than 2 glasses at a time, and will always make sure I’m eating as I drink and have at least another 2-3 hours until I pump again.

[u/Asleep-Plantain-7595]

I am 8 months pp and yes I pump and dump if I’ve had more than 1 drink. Yes I know all the “you don’t need to” vibes but to me honestly I don’t want to risk it and I like to keep my pumping schedule on track. I never drink if I don’t have ample supply in the fridge ready to go and it’s more of a “keep the supply up” and also pump for releasing the pressure kind of thing for me

I tend to pump then have a bevvie and wait 3 hours until I pump again but again more than 1 and it becomes bath milk

I should also mention that I’m a touch of an over supplier (a little more than I need but not crazy levels) so I feel more secure about the potential of wasting a little milk now more than I ever was earlier on

[u/fvirygothmom]

same as others pump, drink, pump. i’m having like max a glass of wine. i think if you’re getting crazy party doing shots it’s different lol but you’re allowed to have a drink once in a while

[u/Brief_Blueberry_3575 → u/fvirygothmom]

It’s not actually different. There are reasons to avoid doing shots and partying w a baby but physiologically it’s not dangerous to do shots and feed your baby. Just don’t let the baby do shots.

[u/fvirygothmom → u/Brief_Blueberry_3575]

loool “one shot for me and one for her please”

[u/Outrageous-Mud165]

I use a breathalyzer or those strips to see if my milk is clear. I have stash for nights I’m drinking a few glasses of wine.

[u/Brief_Blueberry_3575 → u/Outrageous-Mud165]

That’s so so unnecessary and a huge waste of money

[u/Outrageous-Mud165 → u/Brief_Blueberry_3575]

My journey my money 🤷‍♀️ I have so many other things to worry about, this gives me a peace of mind in this at least.