Breastmilk Strips

[PamelaBee]

My girlfriend and I were chatting the other day about how nice it will be to share a couple cocktails after I have the baby.  Because I plan on breastfeeding I told her I may have to wait, or pump in advance...she said she was going to buy me some milk strips that can tell you how much alcohol is still in your breastmilk if any, and that would give you peace of mind after a night of drinking to resume breastfeeding or not.  What??  I have never heard of this, and if I had, I would have bought them after my 1st pregnancy.  Does anyone know what they are, or how they work?

[prevatt77]

I did a little reasearch on them and alcohol is not eliminated through pumping and dumping. The only way to ensure milk purity is to allow time for alcohol to leave your bloodstream, which takes way more than 2 hours. Milkscreen strips provide quick, accurate results so you know right away if it is safe to nurse your baby or offer an alternative food such as pre-stored expressed milk.  I might have to get some of these.

[jenstam]

So, these strips tell you if your breastmilk has any detectable alcohol in them? Hmm...I'm going to have to research this. I just might have to invest in some. I can't wait to have a cocktail or two after this baby is born!!

[dainsey]

I bought them when I was breastfeeding with my daughter as I had gone to a baby shower and had a glass or two of champagne and then worried about when I could breastfeed.  I think they worked.  I tested them out by putting straight alcohol on one and it turned color immediately.  

[jennyb473]

personally, I used the 2 hour rule if I had 1 glass of wine or beer.  The few nights I went out without baby and we actually drank, I pumped and dumped when I got home and by morning was able to nurse again.

[rdh1981]

I have never heard of that!!! I was reading at my OB's office that anything that you eat or drink is gone within two hours.  So, they it was perfectly okay to have a drink every now and then and just wait the required two hours.  They also said there was no reason to "pump and dump" if you have waited the full two hours.  

If you find out anymore about these strips let us know!!! By the way I think I could use a cocktail after my little man is born too!!!

[jennyb473]

I've never used them, but did see them at Babies R Us when I was registering for my shower last year.  I'm not sure I would personally depend on them that much though