Groups are trying to get a “Breastfeeding Alcohol Consumption Warning” on all liquor while doctors are saying it is fine to drink alcohol and breastfeed. With all the confusion, how can you decide?

The Breastfeeding Alcohol Warning Labels

A group called Alcohol Healthwatch in Australia wants labels on all alcohol to warn about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These labels may be coming soon to areas of New Zealand and Australia.

The warnings will say that drinking alcohol when trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is a danger. They consider the use of these warnings as an important part of a plan to help prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

A Different Opinion

However, on the other side of the world, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs takes a different stand. They do not consider moderate alcohol use (equal to one or two glasses of wine a week) to have any negative effects on a breastfeeding mother or a nursing child.

Dr. Jack Newman, a physician and member of the La Leche League International Health Advisory Council, says in his handout “More Breastfeeding Myths”:

“Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for nursing mothers.”

So what Do You Do?

General guidelines are actually pretty simple– if you are sober enough to drive, then you are sober enough to breastfeed a child.

However, if you are ever in doubt, don’t chance it. Pump your milk for your next feeding and feed your baby breast milk that you have stored up. That way you can have your drink and your baby can eat, too!
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