Nursing moms and drinking

[sunshine4]

Here is the situation-  my neice has a 4 month old baby.  She nurses him.  Over Memorial Day, she was drinking beer.  I questioned her because I had always thought what the mother ate and drank affected the baby.  She told me that she read drinking beer helps the milk come in better. 

Has anyone else heard of this?  I tend to not beileve it is true.

[Dee]

No I haven't heard this, I have a  couple of friends who are breastfeeding and when they are going out they pump enough milk before they take any alcohol. I have never breastfed so I am not sure 100% what effects it has on a  baby but I can only imagine that it has some sort of bad effects.

[diane]

yes heard of it but not on the advantage part..if she drink beer then for sure the baby will getting it too..and of course not good for the baby's health..means that it is not advisable..

[Mat]

I don't consider myself an expert on all things alcohol and I'm not a doctor.  However, I know more about beer and alcohol than the average joe.  There are harmful side effects of consuming large amounts of alcohol, especially if done habitually.  That said alcohol is a very misunderstood substance and myths are created about the dangers and benefits all the time. 

I haven't heard "drinking beer helps the milk come in better".

When drank in moderation beer is quite healthy.  It might surprise some that beer has more nutritional value than many of the non-alcoholic drinks people consume on a daily basis.  Beer is made using nutritious substances and many of those substances are still present in the beer you drink.

I don't think it is advisable for someone that is breastfeeding to drink any alcohol, as a lot of people binge drink.  I doubt one beer is going to be harmful though.

People shouldn't be taught to fear and demonize alcohol. After all, the human body naturally produces it. People should be taught to moderate their drinking.  Too many people binge drink and think it is the only way to drink.