Healthy eating habits/Breastfeeding and alcohol

For women who are breastfeeding - What you need to know about consuming alcohol. Siany Hodgins 17164450 Is it safe to drink alcohol while breastfeeding? For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option because: There are concerns that alcohol passed through breast milk may have adverse effects on the infant; Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003). 4810.0.55.001 - Breastfeeding in Australia. Viewed at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4810.0.55.001 Larger amounts of alcohol in the breast milk can cause problems with breast milk let-down. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003). 4810.0.55.001 - Breastfeeding in Australia. Viewed at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4810.0.55.001 However, according to the Australian Breastfeeding Association You CAN enjoy an alcohol drink. The key is to plan ahead. How much of the alcohol I drink gets into my breast milk? The short answer is 100%.... The amount of alcohol in your milk is equal to the amount of alcohol in your blood. Brown, J. E. et al. (2011). Nutrition through the life cycle (4th Edition). Belmont, CA, Wadsworth, CENGAGE Learning How does this happen?..... Alcohol can move freely from your blood in and out of your breast-milk, so if you have any alcohol in your blood, the same amount of alcohol be present in your breast milk. Brown, J. E. et al. (2011). Nutrition through the life cycle (4th Edition). Belmont, CA, Wadsworth, CENGAGE Learning Once the alcohol has passed through your system, your breast milk will be alcohol free – alcohol is not ‘stored’ in your milk. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding The amount of alcohol in your blood can be affected by: the total alcohol content of your drink; the type and quantity of foods eaten; your weight; how quickly you are drinking. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding thumb|2 hours How long does it take for the alcohol to clear from my breast milk? 2 hours As a general rule, it takes 2 hours for an average woman to get rid of the alcohol from 1 standard alcoholic drink. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding therefore 4 hours for 2 drinks, 6 hours for 3 drinks and so on. Alcohol will be in your breast-milk 30–60 minutes after you start drinking. This is included in the 2 hours, which is taken from the time you start of drinking. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding But ……… It is important to remember that many factors can change how alcohol affects you including: age; body composition (weight, how much muscle and fat you have); mental health status; drug use; existing medical conditions. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding How can I get rid of alcohol out of my milk faster?.... You can’t! While expressing your milk is important for your comfort and to maintain milk production, it will not get rid of the alcohol any quicker. Department of Health (2012). The Australian Standard Drink. Viewed at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard Can I drink alcohol straight away?... It is strongly recommended that you do not consume alcohol until your baby is at least one month old. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding thumb|Australian standard alcoholic drinkthumb|Standard wine - 100mLthumb|standard beer/cider - 285mLthumb|Standard Spirit - 30mL What is a standard drink? In Australia, a standard alcoholic drink contains 10g of alcohol, which is equal to: 100ml wine Department of Health (2012). The Australian Standard Drink. Viewed at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard 285ml full strength beer/cider Department of Health (2012). The Australian Standard Drink. Viewed at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard 60ml port or sherry Department of Health (2012). The Australian Standard Drink. Viewed at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard 30ml spirits Department of Health (2012). The Australian Standard Drink. Viewed at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard REMEMBER, you may not always be served, or serve yourself a standard drink for example, an average bottle of beer/ cider contains around 1.4-1.6 standard drinks – if you drink one of these bottles it will take around 3 hours for the alcohol to clear from your breast milk. How can I manage breastfeeding when I am planning to drink alcohol? It is important to have a plan when consuming alcohol, you can be prepared by: Timing your alcohol consumption with your baby's feeding and sleeping patterns; Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding Eat before and while you are drinking alcohol; Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding Express some milk for your baby ahead of time (breast milk can be frozen for up to 3 months. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2013). Alcohol and breastfeeding. Viewed at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding/alcohol-and-breastfeeding Australian Dietary Guidelines The current Australian Dietary Guidelines recommends that women consume no more than 2 standard drinks on any day. NHMRC (2013). Australian Dietary Guidelines – providing the scientific evidence for healthier Australian diets. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines/n55_australian_dietary_guidelines.pdf Australian Breastfeeding Association is Australia's largest breastfeeding information and support service and is recognised worldwide as an authority on breastfeeding management. You will find a wealth of information for both parents and for health professionals on their website. Australian Breastfeeding Association Further reading [Healthy Eating for Pregnancy] Siany Hodgins 17164450 References