Breastfeeding and Alcohol

It was the night after the party. A hang-over pounding in my head, sleepless and grumpy because my newly born daughter had woken me three times during the night to be fed. I was lying in my bed with a slowly dawning sense of horror as I remembered clutching my daughter to my breast, alcohol still clouding my breath.

I felt like the worst mother in the world. I had breastfed my daughter because I believed that it was a natural and beautiful thing, but I was suddenly convinced that it had been responsible for passing on all my alcoholic toxins.

It's hard to describe what it felt like. I was a young first-time mother without much support, already feeling under-confident, let alone being equipped to deal with the guilt for what I thought I might have done.

I eventually confessed to my doctor. He was incredibly sympathetic, and calmed a new mother's fears.

I share it in the same spirit (having now had another of my own). No mother should have to deal with the guilt - so here are the facts about breastfeeding and alcohol.

• Alcohol can reduce the amount of milk you produce. It can also slow the time between when a baby starts suckling and when milk is produced.

• Alcohol consumed close to the time of feeding may make the breast milk smell and taste different. This may cause the baby to cease feeding

• Alcohol consumed in sufficient quantities can pass into the breast-milk. This may affect sleep patterns, promote weakness, reduce growth and cause drowsiness in infants.

• If you are drinking more than 2 units of alcohol a day and breastfeeding - there may be some impact on your child's development (studies are inconclusive)

• You don't need to give up alcohol entirely when you are breastfeeding. A few glasses of wine over the week won't cause any real impact. It takes a substantial amount (the equivalent of over three times the driving limit) to have a real impact.

• If you do drink alcohol, make sure you wait a couple of hours before you breastfeed.

• The key is moderation. You don't need to give up all alcohol while breastfeeding, but make sure you keep your babies' health in mind.