Very horrible. At least in the eyes of some people. And most of the time even worse in her own.
Women who have glass of wine nursing are faced with guilt and shame.
But, before throwing a stone or a cold eye at new mom – please remember that just like every other mother, she wants what is best for her baby and she would never do anything to harm him.
So, educate yourself about alcohol metabolism – this way there will be no blame, no shame, no guilt.
Dear mama! Relax. Have a glass of your favourite red. Because this is how body works:
Alcohol goes from your stomach to your blood and it passes into breast milk where it’s present in approximately the same concentration. The alcohol is present in your milk, 30 to 45 minutes after your happy moment. Then it immediately starts dissipating.
The liver filters alcohol as it filters your blood – so the level of alcohol in your blood and in your milk falls as you get more sober. Basically, your milk gets more “sober.”
That’s why, the idea that you can drink as long as you “pump and dump” – is so ridiculous. Instead of “pump and dump” your precious milk away – simply wait. Once you’ve sobered up, your milk will be alcohol-free again.
More good news: research shows that lactating women get significantly less drunk than formula-feeding moms and other women. And more good news – they are less drunk but just as tipsy.
Not convinced yet? Well, studies show that babies of nursing moms, who drank at least one alcoholic drink each day, did not differ in measures of cognitive development or motor skills from moms who abstained.
So, if there is no harm to the baby and a little, but more happiness to the mother – there’s no point in sacrificing, just to feel like saint mother Theresa.
Of course, we are talking about A Glass of Wine – not getting drunk or shit faced: You’re 3X more likely to have an accidental fall if you’ve been drinking. One more thing: DO NOT share a bed with your baby if you’ve been drinking.
Bad news :
Alcohol will not boost your milk supply, even though for a long time people believed that it did. What’s worse, studies prove that alcohol actually reduces milk release in part, by inhibiting the let-down reflex.
Ah well, something to ponder over when having your next glass of red!
