Can You Drink Any Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

After avoiding alcohol throughout pregnancy, many new parents may be eager for a glass of wine or cold beer. Most people know that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be dangerous for the unborn baby. But over 6 in 10 women report using alcohol while nursing, and they may not be aware that this also comes with some risks. 

Read on to learn about what research shows about drinking alcohol while nursing — and how to make sure your baby stays safe.

Is it safe for mothers to drink alcohol while nursing?

There’s limited research on the effects of drinking alcohol while nursing. The CDC states that “not drinking alcohol is the safest option for your baby,” while noting that having 1 standard drink per day is likely safe for your baby. 

A standard drink means a 12 oz beer, a 5 oz glass of wine, or a 1.5 oz shot of distilled spirits such as gin, vodka, or whiskey. If you do decide to drink some wine while breastfeeding, there are some steps to take to make sure you’re keeping your baby safe.

How does alcohol affect a breastfed baby?

Alcohol can affect a breastfed baby in several ways. The short-term effects can include: 

• Sleep disturbances, such as waking up more frequently and experiencing changes in REM sleep

• Problems with feeding

The long-term effects of regular alcohol exposure in breast milk are still unknown. But some studies have raised concerns that drinking while breastfeeding is associated with long-term problems with a child’s growth and development. 

In one study, children who had been exposed to breast milk of moms who drank alcohol were more likely to have behavioral and cognitive problems at age 7. But more studies are needed, since it’s possible that this link was related to alcohol exposure during pregnancy. 

Alcohol may also impair an adult’s ability to safely care for a baby. To reduce this risk, never co-sleep with your baby after having alcohol.

How do you know if your baby is affected by the alcohol in your breast milk?

You probably won’t be able to tell. It can be hard to know exactly how the alcohol you drink is affecting your breastfed baby — both in the short and long term. 

Things to look out for include: 

• Increased fussiness

• Changes in how much they sleep (either more or less)

• Deeper sleep than usual 

• Decreased feeding 

That’s why it’s safest to avoid drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Or, if you do drink, limit yourself to 1 standard drink per day.   

How long does alcohol stay in breast milk?

The time that alcohol stays in breast milk depends on how much alcohol you drink and how much you weigh. 

In general, alcohol can be detected in breast milk for 2 to 3 hours after drinking 1 alcoholic drink. Alcohol from 2 drinks can be detected in breast milk for 4 to 5 hours afterward. Keep in mind that the level is highest within 1 hour after drinking. 

How long after drinking can you breastfeed?

To keep your baby safe, experts recommend that you wait 2 hours per alcoholic drink before nursing your baby. As the alcohol is cleared from your blood, it will also be cleared from your breast milk. 

Taking steps to lower your blood alcohol level also lowers the alcohol level in the milk you make. So eating food, drinking water, or sometimes simply waiting it out will help.

But pumping does not remove alcohol from breast milk — only lowering blood alcohol content can do that.

Do you have to ‘pump and dump’ after drinking?

“Pump and dump” — pumping out breast milk after drinking alcohol and throwing it away instead of saving it for your baby — is not necessary. Here’s why. Alcohol in human milk is cleared at the same rate as alcohol in the blood. So, while pumping milk removes that milk from your body, it does not clear alcohol from your blood or lower how much alcohol is in the new milk your body makes. 

Waiting is the best way to keep your nursing baby safe after you drink alcohol. This gives your body time to clear the alcohol from your bloodstream and your milk supply. 

But pumping and dumping may help you avoid engorgement. Signs of this are breasts that feel warm, heavy, hard, and full. And consistent breastfeeding can help prevent it. So, if you have several alcoholic drinks and there’s still alcohol in your breast milk, you might choose to pump and dump once. This lets you keep up your supply and avoid engorgement while waiting for alcohol to clear from your body. Most parents will feed a baby from previously pumped milk or formula when they do this.  

Can drinking alcohol help stimulate breast milk production?

You may have heard that beer can help boost milk production. Barley (an ingredient in beer) does help stimulate milk production, but no studies show that beer helps with milk production. In fact, some studies have shown that alcohol decreases the let-down of milk and may decrease milk production. 

But there are many other sources of barley in foods and in supplements that may help with milk production.

How to keep your baby safe if you have a drink

If you decide to drink some wine while nursing, here are some considerations to keep your baby safe:

• Newborns under 8 weeks can’t metabolize (process) alcohol as well as older babies. So  avoid alcohol for the first 8 weeks of your baby’s life.

• Beyond that, if you do choose to drink, limit your alcohol intake to 1 standard drink or less per day when nursing.

• Drink alcohol with food and water to help lower your blood alcohol level (and the alcohol in your milk).

• If you do drink alcohol and breastfeed, wait for 2 hours (per drink) before nursing your baby.

• Never co-sleep with your baby if you have consumed alcohol.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a special interest in chronic care management, women’s health, mental health, and preventive care. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care research, innovation, and practice.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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