Clinical Pearls – Breastfeeding & Alcohol

Obstetrics

  1. Levels of alcohol in milk closely parallel maternal blood alcohol concentrations.
  2. It is not necessary to pump & dump milk after consuming alcohol, but expressing milk can maintain supply and avoid complications of engorgement if a feeding is being delayed.
  3. Alcohol inhibits oxytocin and can diminish milk supply.
  4. Even small amounts of alcohol in human milk have been shown to disrupt and shorten total duration of infant sleep.
  5. If a lactating person chooses to consume alcohol, exposure to the infant can be minimized by pumping or feeding just prior to drinking, limiting intake to 1 standard drink, and waiting at least 2 to 3 hours before directly feeding the infant again.

Information found at OBG Management Journal

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