⚠️CautionCurated
Alcohol
An occasional drink is compatible with breastfeeding as long as you time it right — wait at least 2 hours per drink before nursing. There's no need to pump and dump.
One standard drink, wait 2 hours before nursing
📉Heavy or chronic drinking reduces milk supply and impairs the let-down reflex. Occasional drinks do not have a significant effect.
Alcohol passes freely into breast milk and mirrors blood alcohol levels. A standard drink takes about 2 hours to clear your system (and your milk). Pumping and dumping does not speed this process — the alcohol clears as your blood alcohol drops. Heavy or chronic drinking reduces milk supply, impairs let-down, and affects infant development. The CDC and AAP advise that occasional, moderate alcohol intake is compatible with breastfeeding when timed appropriately.
Always confirm with your doctor or lactation consultant before making dietary changes while breastfeeding.
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