The Best Value Online RSA Course Offer In Australia!

Should Nursing Mothers be Drinking?

By Peter Cutforth

September 27, 2012

breastfeeding mothers, drinking alcohol, Nursing Mothers

Most mothers are aware of the danger that drinking alcohol can present to their unborn babies but how safe is it to drink once the baby is born. Should breastfeeding mothers abstain from alcohol or is it safe to have a few drinks?

Experts recommend that breastfeeding mothers not consume alcohol when breastfeeding especially during the first few months of the baby’s life when breastfeeding begins. This is because breast milk contains higher concentrations of water than blood into which alcohol can be absorbed therefore the alcohol in breast milk is more concentrated and the effects of this alcohol can be passed on to the feeding baby.

Although mothers should not risk drinking while breastfeeding, if after the first month they wish to resume alcohol consumption there are some steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of passing alcohol onto the baby.  One way is by drinking alcohol with a meal rather than on its own. Another is by drinking no more than 2 standard alcoholic drinks per day and refraining from breastfeeding for at least 2 hours afterwards.

If breastfeeding mothers follow these steps the risk of passing alcohol on to babies can be significantly reduced.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

The Best Value Online RSA
Course Offer In Australia!