⚠️CautionCurated
Cocktail (Mixed Drink)
Cocktails vary enormously in alcohol content — a single cocktail can contain 1, 2, or even 3 standard drinks depending on what's in it. The key is knowing how much alcohol is actually in your glass and timing accordingly: 2 hours per standard drink before nursing.
2 hours per standard drink consumed before nursing; estimate alcohol content carefully for mixed drinks
Myth: You need to pump and dump after drinking alcohol. This is false — only time clears alcohol from milk.
A Long Island Iced Tea contains 4–5 standard drinks. A margarita is typically 2. A gin and tonic made at home with one shot is one. There's no universal rule about cocktails because the recipes vary so much. When ordering at a bar, don't hesitate to ask what spirits and how much are in the drink. If you're unsure, wait longer than you think you need to. The 2-hour-per-drink rule is per standard drink of alcohol, not per glass.
Always confirm with your doctor or lactation consultant before making dietary changes while breastfeeding.
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