# Alcohol and breastfeeding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138 "2021-06-12T18:59:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Danger\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138/1 "2021-06-12T18:59:29Z")
The sources I have looked at seem to be a bit dividend on this. Because the alcohol percentage is diluted one more time before it reaches the baby’s blood stream, it seems like it shouldn’t matter at all. But still, there are many that do not recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138/2 "2021-06-12T20:20:09Z")
Pediatric liver function is very different from that of adults, hence why drug regimes for children aren’t just quantities diluted per body weight compared to results but are often entirely different or very restrictive. The effects of alcohol on the brains of developing human children is not extensively studied for obvious reasons, but animals studies (e.g. in mice and rats) show significant detrimental effects. In other words, even small quantities of alcohol may have outsized effects on children, and as the risks of alcohol consumption have been elevated with increasing studies it has become evident that there is no appropriate threshold for ethyl alcohol for infants and small children. [https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/Supplement\_3/1097](https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/Supplement_3/1097) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138/3 "2021-06-13T03:55:48Z")
This is from a reliable breastfeeding site that’s been around for years; the woman who runs it was a research physicist before becoming a certified lactation consultant: “Current research says that **_occasional_ use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) does not appear to be harmful to the nursing baby**. Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.” > **[Breastfeeding and Alcohol • KellyMom.com](https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/alcohol/)** > > In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there... ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138/4 "2021-06-14T15:52:28Z")
I recall one new mother (back before all the “don’t drink if pregnant” stuff was common, early 80’s) casully mentioned that taking a shot or two of liqueur a little while before breastfeeding helped the baby sleep. Didn’t exactly knock them out, but made them more mellow. (Enough to make the mother warm but not tipsy). It was partly a joke I think but sounded like it was based on experience or advice from older women. . Still, like actual alcohol consumption in pregnancy, any excess or too repetitive is probably not good for either mother or baby. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-breastfeeding/944138/5 "2021-06-14T17:27:55Z")
Who knows best about this topic? The brewing industry, that’s who! [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/5100/5540892152_f49117d695_z.jpg "1916 Blatz Beer good for mother and baby") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlylehold/5540892152)