Breastfeeding

Existing evidence suggests that consumption of two standard drinks or more per day may adversely affect lactation, infant behaviour (for example, feeding, sleep–arousal cycle), and the psychomotor development of the breastfed baby. However, the lack of high quality research makes it difficult to give definitive advice on safe levels. 

The NHMRC (2020) gives the following advice about breastfeeding mothers consuming alcohol: 

• Not drinking alcohol is the safest option. 
• Women should avoid drinking alcohol in the first month after delivery until breastfeeding is well established. 

After that: 

• alcohol intake should be limited to no more than two standard drinks a day 
• women should avoid drinking immediately before breastfeeding 
• women who wish to drink alcohol should consider expressing milk in advance.  

For the average woman, it takes approximately two to three hours to metabolise one standard drink of alcohol such that alcohol content in breastmilk returns to zero. However, this can vary depending on a range of factors such as body weight, metabolism, and food and water intake. 

Importantly, the risk of accidental injury and/or harm to mother and infant if the mother is intoxicated while breastfeeding is high. For example, she may become drowsy, and accidentally drop, or smother, her baby.  A breastfeeding mother needs to be advised to have a ‘safety plan’ for when she does drink alcohol. The plan should include advice regarding not sleeping in the same bed (i.e. co-sleeping).