While experts agree that any amount of alcohol while pregnant is a safety concern, the dos and don’ts of consuming alcohol while breastfeeding are less understood. Let’s start by saying that, even if you’re breastfeeding, you can probably drink alcohol now and then if desired. Current research suggests, and most health experts conclude, that the occasional drink is not harmful to a breastfeeding mother or baby. Let’s dive in.
How does alcohol impact mom?
Alcohol is a depressant, and it creates a temporary relaxed or happy feeling for some folks. In small amounts, the effect is limited and shouldn’t cause you to be impaired. Despite some reports over the years that a glass of wine is good for you or that beer can increase milk supply, alcohol is not healthy. It’s a known carcinogen, it can be addictive, and should be used with care.
The good news is that less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother actually reaches her breastmilk. This means that if you wait to breastfeed your baby after a drink, or drink during a feeding – your baby is exposed to extremely low levels of alcohol. Alcohol may affect you more than you expect it to during breastfeeding. You likely haven’t had a drink in some time, and your metabolism is quite different at the moment! Go slowly and make sure you feel okay while drinking.
How does alcohol impact babies?
Infants under 3 months process alcohol at about half the rate of adults, so limiting alcohol consumption can keep your little one’s liver safe. Alcohol can impact your baby’s eating and sleeping. Some research suggests that after a mother consumes an alcoholic beverage, her baby gets 20-30% less milk than usual. Babies can also get sleepy if mothers drink alcohol, but this sleep can be restless and shorter than normal.
How long should I wait before breastfeeding?
Generally you can wait about 2 hours before nursing your baby so that your body has enough time to process and clear out one drink. Although every woman’s body is different, your blood alcohol level is generally highest 30 to 60 minutes after a drink. Keep in mind food intake does cause this to be slightly slower. The best way to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine is by timing it so that you’ve either fed right before your drink, or having it during one of Baby’s longer sleeps. To avoid breastfeeding while drinking altogether, before drinking, pump and store milk you can feed to your baby later, or formula feed in the hours after your drink. To bust another breastfeeding myth, pumping after drinking does not speed the elimination of alcohol from your bloodstream, so when you drink, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little “you” time.
Want to skip the alcohol? Non-alcoholic spirits and wines are great alternatives, and although they aren’t 100% alcohol free, they do not transfer any significant amount of alcohol to breastmilk.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Read more
Sources
- Alcohol and health
Manthey, Jakob et al.
The Lancet, Volume 400, Issue 10365, 1764 – 1765
- Maija Bruun Haastrup, Anton Pottergard, Per Damkier. “Alcohol and Breastfeeding.” Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 114(2): 168-173. Web. February 2014.
- Elizabeth LaFleur. “I’m breast-feeding my baby. Is it okay to drink alcohol?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, April 26, 2024. Web.
- “Alcohol” LactMed NIH, June 15, 2025
- “Breastfeeding and everyday life.” WomensHealth.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Feb 22 2021. Web.
- Joan Younger Meek, Lawrence Noble, Section on Breastfeeding; Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics July 2022; 150 (1): e2022057988. 10.1542/peds.2022-057988
