Shut Up, Karen: Alcohol & Breastfeeding

Well, it is that time of year again. The huss and buss of the holidays. It seems there is always excitement and magic in the air…accompanied by overflowing schedules and that aunt who just has to comment on your every move. This is why I thought it was rather timely for some “Shut up, Karen” blogs.

Depending upon the timing of your baby’s birth last year, you might be particularly excited to partake in a glass of Pinot Grigio during your holiday festivities. But maybe you are asking yourself - is it safe? Or maybe you are asking for some proof to shut up your Aunt Karen, when she suggests “Should you really be drinking while breastfeeding?”

There is a lot on the internet about this topic. Some that provides you relief and some that really just provides you with a series of if/then statements that leave you with more confusion than before. So I wanted to get a little nerdy with this for some good scientific proof that can leave you confident - I am an engineer after all!

So here are some things that we know are true:

• Your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is equal to the concentration of alcohol in our breastmilk.
  The alcohol concentration in breastmilk fluctuates equal to the concentration in our blood. Therefore, pumping and dumping will not assist in decreasing the concentration of alcohol in your milk.

• A BAC of <0.02 is Generally Accepted for feeding Breastmilk.
  Some sources will suggest that NO alcohol while breastfeeding is acceptable, but many agree that this is a very conservative point-of-view. In fact, most test strips for breastmilk have a sensitivity of 0.02 BAC. This suggests that anything <0.02 BAC is considered negligible and will not trigger a response on the alcohol breastmilk test strips.

• BAC Decreases at a Rate of 0.015/hr
  Although this is an average amongst all people, it is a generally accepted rule of thumb that our BAC (assuming no further consumption) decreases at 0.015/hr.

To save you the trouble of calculating your Blood Alcohol Content, please find our calculator here! This calculator will give you your BAC: given your weight and alcohol consumption. Additionally, you will receive an email with details on appropriate next steps given your BAC level.

There is some generally good advice when it comes to safely consuming alcohol while breastfeeding.

• Plan Your Consumption Around Feeding
  Because BAC decreases over time, strategically consuming alcohol around your feeding schedule can be helpful! For example, if you pump or typically nurse around 6:00 PM, then breastfeed at 6:00PM. After you are finished breastfeeding, go ahead and have a drink or two with your dinner. Most likely, when it is time to breastfeed again, it will have been 1-3 hours since consuming your beverage. Since the alcohol in your milk will decrease alongside your BAC, there will be little to no remnant of alcohol in your milk.

• Drink at One Time, Not All Night
  Having a drink or two with dinner or at a cocktail hour will allow your system to sober up. If you continue to drink throughout the night though, you will continue to maintain a high BAC level.

• Don’t Over Due It
  Although your BAC levels will decrease and your milk will be just fine, remember that alcohol will affect your ability for a good night’s rest. As a busy mother, do not regret your evening of fun for days, because you were not able to get some sleep!

So this Thanksgiving, kindly tell your Aunt Karen to “Shut Up”. With these tips and our “How Much Can You Consume?” Calculator, you should have the confidence to enjoy a glass of wine while continuing to breastfeed your baby!

With much love,
Antoinette Cornelius