What is the rule of thumb for drinking and BF?

[speckledfrog]

I have a wedding next week and I'd love to have a drink!

[broc]

Do it.

I pretty much just drank right after I BFed and tried not to get too blitzed. You won't pass liquor through your BM unless you get completely bombed.

[iamgrace]

If you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to nurse. This is what I've read, anyway.

[alleycat]

If you can drive you can BF. I never pump and dump because it seems like such a waste. If I'm drunk I can't operate the pump anyway. I just wait until the buzz passes.

[lucky513]

whats with the whole pump and dump?

[iamgrace]

May 10, 2012 20:38:21 GMT -5 lucky513 said:

whats with the whole pump and dump?

You only need to pump and dump if you would normally nurse in the time you are drunk. It would keep up your supply, and relieve engorgement.

[eddy]

May 10, 2012 20:36:31 GMT -5 broc said:

Do it.

I pretty much just drank right after I BFed and tried not to get too blitzed. You won't pass liquor through your BM unless you get completely bombed.

What she said. I am pretty liberal with the drank and bfing.

[alleycat]

May 10, 2012 20:38:21 GMT -5 lucky513 said:

whats with the whole pump and dump?

I never did it. I just waited until I wasn't drunk anymore to nurse. The miniscule amount that gets into your milk leaves the same way it leaves your blood stream.

[EloiseWeenie]

As long as you aren't drunk you're good. I'm even drinking a vodka tonic now.

[vanillacourage]

My OB told me that one standard drink (i.e. a bottle of beer, not a double vodka) will leave your system in one hour but that once you have more than one drink the math doesn't continue to work the same way. Basically yeah - if you wouldn't drive, don't nurse.

If I'm at home and want a drink I'll have while I nurse/pump - it's too soon to pass it to the baby and it's gone before the next feeding.

[Deleted]

See -- the LC at the hospital put the fear of god in me re: drinking and bf'ing. She said new research has shown that it can cause neurological development issues. I haven't researched it myself -- honestly I have only jonsed for a drink here and there and 1/2 glass of wine/beer hits the spot -- but it still makes me nervous. I'd love, for instance, to have a glass or two of wine when we go out for our anniversary.

Maybe I'll ask my OB about this tomorrow...