Alcohol + Breastfeeding = Pump & Dump???

[sallystar]

I've been reading varying opinions online.  Some say that if you only have a glass or two of wine you are still okay to feed the baby...others say that with a drink or two you should pump and dump once.  Still other sites are saying - stay completely away from alcohol.  Now...I am sure there will be several nights once the baby is born that I will want to have a glass or two of wine...and I'm sure there will be other nights (like friends weddings, my wedding, etc.) that I will want to have more than just a glass or two...Of course I would not breastfeed the baby while still feeling the effects of alcohol...ever...but how long after drinking should i pump & dump for?  I plan on stocking up breastmilk & freezing it whenever possible - so I'm hoping to have a supply on hand if needed...I was just wondering what others thoughts are on the topic...the amount of time to wait, etc.  PLEASE do not tell me that I don't care about my baby because I am going to drink...of course I care!!!  If I have to not breastfeed for a week after drinking I won't breastfeed...I'll just give her frozen milk...but I just want some opinions!  Thanks in advance...

[lauraandbill2001]

I honestly don't know.  I do know that if I eat something that she (my daughter) doesn't like or doesn't agree with her belly, it takes about a day for her to like the milk again (for it to run its course???).  I also an pretty sure it okay to have a glass of wine occasionally while pregnant so I do not see what the difference would be while breast feeding.  I think that fact that you willing to breastfeed at all is a very nice thing.    

[ShamansMommy]

My midwife told me as long as I am not getting smashed (a drink or two) its ok to breastfeed. She said its better that for a breastfed baby than to suplement with formula. Pumping and dumping is not necassary. Once u dont feel the affects of the alcohol it isnt in your milk anymore. Have fun =)

[honeybee70458]

I will check with my sister...I clearly recall her making reference to "pump and dump" on a few social occasions. I do plan to breastfeed this baby and I am sure that there will be times that I will enjoy a few adult beverages after the birth...so don't feel bad about it. What would be bad is if you were nursing and you weren't concerned about your breast milk after a few drinks!

[kbrownhh]

With my first who is now 3, my pediatrician said alchohal is absorbed very quickly in your body.  He said to feed her, then have a glass of wine and then as long as I waited a couple of hours that I could just feed her again and wouldn't have to pump and dump.  I did this and never saw any problem with my little one.  

I now have a 3 week old and am following the same advice.  I have already introduced her to a bottle and she has no problem.I don't know if this is your first or not, but the way I get a stockpile of milk in the freezer is to pump at least once a day, more if you feel like it right after she eats.  When your milk first comes in there isn't too much left to pump out, but the more you pump, the more you make which means the more you store.  

Again, based on my pediatricians advice (he also used to be a chemist and knows all about the breakdown of chemicals in the body) as long as you don't drink too much, just wait a couple hours and feed again.  If you feel you drank more than you should, just pull out a bottle of frozen milk.  Be sure to pump and dump at that time though so you keep your supply up.

Enjoy that first glass of wine....I know I sure did :)

[sallystar]

Thanks ladies!!  Honeybee - let me know what your sister says!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I was told about four hours and it is absorbed by the mum.....

I never had more than a small glass of wine and I waited 4-6 hours before I nursed again.

[tiredbuthappy]

Hey! I just had this conversation with my lactation specialist an hour ago.
if you have a drink or 2 with dinner, and wait a couple of hours, it's fine.
if you decide to drink the bottle, then pump and dump.

[sallystar]

Have you tried the breastfeeding thing again yet?  If so...how'd it go?  Did you find out if baby sara can definitely come home with you on friday?

[tiredbuthappy]

so far, she should be allowed to come home. we still have to do a carseat test. apparently all babies born before 37 weeks have to do a carseat test to see how well they tolerate it.

breastfeeding isn't working yet, but we keep trying. every time i put her to my boob, she falls asleep. it's very cute, but not exactly ideal. so the consultant has me pumping. i've pumped once so far, and actually got a little bit to both of our surprise, so we gave that to her, along with the formula. the consultant is confident i'll be able to pump until she's big enough to latch on properly. and even if she gets used to the bottle, at least she'll be getting breast milk. of course, we'll keep trying the breast.

[sallystar]

That great news!  At least pumping is working!  Even if you can only use breast milk in a bottle - you are right...it's still great for her & you feel good about it.  I've never heard about a car seat test...interesting...