I was wondering......I have a 7 month old who I am breastfeeding. I haven't had any alcohol of any kind (not that I ever drank much anyway) and my sisters want to take me out this weekend. I was wondering, now that he sleeps through the night am I able to go out and have like 4 drinks with them if I don't have to feed him for 9-10 hours later? Is it safe?

dwalex

I am so glad that you are asking about a single night and not an ongoing situation. The main concern with alcohol is Fetal Alcohol Syndrom which is the most common preventable cause of Mental Retardation. This of course happens due to exposure during pregnancy and is due to the fact that their is some sharing of blood while the fetus is in utero. There is no sharing of blood due to breast feeding and all alcohol should be out of your body within 12 hours so this should be safe.

best wishes,
dwalex

rosends

My wife the La Leche Leaguer says that while some alcohol crosses over through the milk (and she recommends drinking AFTER nursing), in general, the baby is safe. She cautions not to drink excessively, but te alcohol should clear the system by the next morning.