How to drink coffee and wine while breastfeeding

Someone told me it is possible to drink wine and coffee during the time period I would be breastfeeding my child.   I believe pumping is required but I don't know the specifics.   Does anyone know how to go about this?  How long does the caffeine or wine stay in my system?   Do I wait 2, 4, 6 hrs before breastfeeding after drinking?

[happynifer]

i have a cup of coffee in the morning, same as i did while i was pregnant.  
i also have a glass of wine or beer now and then.
exclusively breastfeeding and have not started pumping yet.
my doctor and her pediatrician said that unless you drink until you are drunk, there is no need to dispose of the milk.

[tiredbuthappy]

i was also advised by both my doctor and lactation consultant that an occasional glass of wine or beer was OK, with no need to pump and dump.  It is a controversial topic and there are some people on this forum who firmly believe against it- I am just sharing what my doctors and LCs told me.

As for caffeine, it is generally accepted that some caffeine daily is safe for the baby, although some people report that it makes their baby irritable. I drank a cup of coffee in the AM and never noticed any effect on the baby.

If you wanted to be *very* cautious, then you could avoid nursing for a few hours and bottle feed (which can be tough if your baby doesn't take a bottle or if you are worried about nipple confusion). Basically, follow the guidelines of how long it takes for alcohol to leave your system (2 hours per drink for the average person, I think). Once it is out of your system, it is out of your milk. Caffeine is metabolized differently by everyone. I think it remains in your system for 4-6 hours, but I'm not positive about that.

[Clysta]

I have also had wine and have never pumped and dumped and was told that occasionally it's fine. You of course want to use common sense and generally want to follow the same guidelines you do when you're pregnant.

[Heatherm4]

I always have a green tea each morning and have never worried about the natural caffiene in it. I think it's different when you are excessive with coffee or tea. Same with alcohol. I've also had a glass of wine here and there and one thing I just make sure I do is have that drink right after a feeding so that there's time for me to metabolize it before the next feed.

[Super_sally888]

Wine and coffee both in moderation should be perfectly fine while BF.

Of course if you want to really indulge you would breastfeed before you drink. Then give expressed milk for one or two feeds until you are no longer feeling the effect of the alcohol (ie. tipsy or drunk).

[cocacolapanda]

I drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day.  For the coffee some babies are effected by it more than others so some mom's need to cut it out completely.

For wine, or other alcohol you do NOT need to dump out unless you had too much to drink.  In fact some people suggest beer to help with your supply.  You should drink while you breastfeed so it won't be in your system by the next feeding.  It works just like your Blood Alcohol Level.  If you wish to have more than 1 or 2 drinks just monitor how you'r feeling or look up how long it'll take to get out of your system (It differers for everyone).  They also sell testing strips, so if you aren't sure you can pick some up and test it to see if you can give it to your child or not.

[illelay]

Thank you all so much!  I'm excited now.   Today is my birthday and I would like to have a cup of coffee and one glass of wine at some point.   I'm a new mom to my 8 day old son so I tend to worry a bit.   Heh.   :)

[bluegenie2003]

I know its past your birthday now, but just a note on the subject. No matter how much you've had to drink, you do not have to pump and dump.  Pumping does not rid your body of the alcohol. Alcohol will leave your breastmilk at about the same rate it does your bloodstream...about one beer per hour. The only reason you would need to pump and dump is if you become uncomfortable.  I've had a glass of wine, or a beer, and just made sure that I fed DS right beforehand. Then, he doesn't have to eat for another 3 hours, in which time all of the alcohol (as long as I only have one drink) has left my system.  This is per my pediatrician by the way.