If I have a drink for my anniversary...how long do I have to avoid breast feeding for?

[dainsey]

Hey girls,
It is our 2 year anniversary and it's also Cinco de Mayo and I'm dying to have 1 beer...I haven't had a cocktail since before I got pregnant so for some reason I'm really craving a beer...How long will I have to avoid breastfeeding for?  More than 1 day?  Any ideas?  

[babyprayers]

I am not 100% positive, BUT.. I have heard people who breastfeed say, they pump an dump, I knew someone who drank on new years eve, and she would pump the breast milk and dump it, she did it for one whole day, I have never breast fed, and am pregnant now so I cannot help much more then what i have heard.. sorry..

[Tennesseegirl]

I have read 2 hours..happy anniversary. infact one beer... wont hurt, you dont even need to wait. but anymore? I would wait two hours.

[Jackson_Angel]

Hello ~ I breast fed for 12 months ~ and ~ what you want to TRY and do is pump BEFORE you've drank anything (I was told I looked like a mechanical Mom ~ pump going on one bob, inhaler in mouth ~asthamatic~ and baby on other boob) ~ and if god forbid you drank before breast feeding ~ it is mostly filtered through your body ~ and what filtrates through the milk isn't that much ~ unless you've downed a bottle of Tequila or something ~ but light drinking while breast feeding ~ a glass of wine, etc. is fine ~ just don't overdo it ~ and you might just see that the baby sleeps a little better ~ but definitely if you've drank anything more than one glass ~ DO NOT breast feed ~ pump out if needed ~ but when you're breasts feel too full and you pump ~ most of the alcohol has already worked its way out of your breast milk ~ but if you want to be safe ~ pump and dump ~ ....I had the LaLache portable pump (big time going in office bathroom every 30minutes) ~ and was able to freeze months of milk which helped my daughter because she caught something from childcare then of course brought it home to me and when I got sick had to go on medication which made me unable to breastfeed again ~

[pertykitty]

pumping and dumping is pointless. the "rule" is something like 2 hours for one drink.  however it also has been said that if you feel buzzed at all, then the effects go to your baby.  it depends on what you want to feel later on, i mean if you have a beer, then baby changes its mind and wants to nurse right then, can you give her a bottle or will you have to give her your breast and then feel guilty about it tomorrow?  

dont feed your baby so it sleeps better after drinking, im hoping that was a joke.

[kellym]

I would have the beer and not worry about when, how & who.  A single beer isn't going to hurt a thing.

[Tanker Chic]

At the hospital they told me, one drink an hour and no drink for an hour before you breast feed.  

Happy anniversary.  

[tahariel]

Depending on how long your baby goes between feedings (i.e. 2 to 3 hours), try to enjoy your drink soon after baby nurses, by the time baby is ready to nurse again, you should be fine. Also, one drink should also be fine. If you are going to have more than one, then you should pump and dump to avoid baby getting any of the alcohol. Happy Anniversary and congratulations on breastfeeding!!!

[pertykitty]

pumping and dumping wastes time it doesnt remove the alcohol from your milk.  just trying to save someone from the hassle, it leaves the milk same as it leaves your bloodstream - with time. enjoy!

[azqtpies]

Happy Anniversary!!!! Have a great time and enjoy! one drink will be just fine =)

Kelly

[precious03]

The lactation consultant here says that if you are going to drink, that you should have enough breastmilk stored up for the next day.  She says that you should pump and dump for one hour per every drink that you have.  I only breastfed my first two for only 2w and didn't drink during that time.  However, my friends and relatives have all breastfed around this rule and their kids are great!

[dainsey]

thanks guys for all the input.  What I ended up doing is having a beer and then I just gave Sofia the breastmilk I had pumped over the last 3 days and stored....Now my supply is out and I have to restock :-)  

[Tennesseegirl]

glad to hear .. I hope you had a good time..
Here is a site I found that is .org on breastfeeding.. I love it!! and am sure I will use it alot when  my my dd is born.   http://www.llli.org/nb.html
incase it doesnt show up...? its La leche league international.org

[jifnif]

Happy Anniversary!!  Mine is the 4th.  When I was breast feeding I pumped before I had a drink and then I would wait two hours.  I drank beer and it was dark beer.  I had read that it increased milk flow.  I only had one a week but my milk did increase.  Not sure if it was the beer.  I waited the two hours to pump or feed again.  

[dainsey]

Happy Anniversary to you too!!!  

[melimeli]

at the b/f class I went to they said two hours wait before you breast feed... she really said the best time it drink is while you are feeding that way it is out before they want some more milk haha.... one guy said there is the mother of the year photo... sucking down a beer while b/fing hahah