Happy almost St.
Patrick’s Day, all you breast-pumping mamas.
Whether or not you live in a Celtic-crazy city like New York,
Boston, Chicago, or Savannah it’s quite likely you feel the urge to join in the
festivities this year. We know you deserve some time to let loose.
For the occasion we thought it appropriate to give you a few
refresher tips on how to enjoy alcoholic beverages while you’re nursing and
pumping.
Remember:
- The common misconception is that if you pump your breast milk just after drinking, this action eradicates the alcohol in your system. Not true.
- Since no amount of alcohol is safe for your baby to consume you want to avoid breast-feeding until your milk is clear of all alcohol.
- In 2-3 hours the body metabolizes 12 ounces of 5% beer, 5 ounces of 11% wine, 1.5 ounces of 40% liquor. [1]
- If you want to enjoy one delicious green beer the best time to do so is immediately after a feeding or pumping session so that your body has ample time to naturally clear its system and your milk supply.
- Pumping and dumping is done to avoid becoming engorged and uncomfortable while the alcohol in your blood stream contaminates your breast milk. The process also maintains your regular production schedule. (Remember the more you use, the more your body makes and skipping a feeding/pumping could affect supply.)
As always, we strongly suggest you discuss these tips with your
personal physician and/or lactation consultant before potentially and
unintentionally exposing your baby to any amount of alcohol.
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