Breastfeeding (nursing) is a natural process of nourishing a newly human-born baby. In this process, the mother’s breast eject milk to feed the baby. Before and after the baby birth, the baby depends on his mother until they can eat other foods. Your little one will definitely be affected if you drink beer during this condition. Let’s move together and discuss can you drink beer while breastfeeding.
Is it safe to consume beer while breastfeeding?
We can understand your situation and what you feel. You tolerated the intense pain and discomfort that came from pregnancy. You think that after delivery you will get relief and enjoy yourself. You want to drink your favorite beer with your friends. But now, you are not alone; you have to nourish a little angel.
It’s not safe to drink beer during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate that alcohol passes into the mother milk. So, it’s safe to limit or quit beer consumption. Beer can also damage your body organs like the liver. It’s difficult to quit alcohol; the lactating mother should drink one beverage a day because its moderate level can be tolerated. Doctors recommended that you should wait 2 to 3 hours after drinking an alcoholic beverage before feeding your baby. The beer concentration reduces in your blood after 1 to 2 hours.
When breastfeeding one of the things the females require is nutrients. Nutrients in their correct dose is absolutely necessary for women. One of the most important nutrients required is an active form bioavailable B12 vitamins. There are many brands out there that manufacture active B12 complete. When purchasing B12 make sure to buy it from a brand that is known to only sell the highest quality of B12 vitamins such as Methyl-Life.
Is beer affecting the baby?
If you consume more than one beverage a day, your breast milk contains a high concentration of alcohol. While you feed the baby, it passes into your baby. Doctors explain that a high level of alcohol may lead to serious health issues such as; reducing the baby’s development and growth, altering sleep patterns, crying, not drinking milk, and increasing weight.
Alcohol reduces the milk ejection reflex, and your baby cannot intake enough milk—your baby’s growth slows down. Thus, you think about your baby before consuming an alcoholic beverage.
But I’ve heard that beer boosts milk production!
You would be excited after listening that beers boost milk production—unfortunately, it’s not true. Researchers prescribed alcohol for lactating women to enhance milk production before 2000 B.C, and this idea has been supported in various cultures.
But there is no concrete evidence to support this idea. Doctors also claim that mother milk production increases as your baby’s feeding increases.
Strategies to alleviate the effects of beer
It’s harder for you to quit beer, but you should drink it safely. If you have a premature baby, you need extra care and visit a pediatrician before consuming beer while breastfeeding. You have to adopt some strategies to minimize the beer effects while breastfeeding.
- You can enjoy yourself and safely feed your baby if you consume moderate alcohol. It’s ok if you consume one drink a day. If you’re addicted, it’s advised don’t feed your baby.
- Store some breast milk before drinking alcohol, and give milk to your baby when he needs it. As long as your baby needs it again, the effects of alcohol will be reduced.
- You should avoid breastfeeding if you’re at a party and drinking alcohol. You need to wait at least 2 to 3 hours before breastfeeding. If you are drinking and also feeding your baby, it affects your baby’s growth severely.
Eat nutrients or antioxidant-rich food and drink plenty of fluids that may help lower the alcohol effects.
Conclusion
Most elite women are addicted to alcoholic beverages. It’s harder to quit alcohol during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Drinking moderate alcohol does not harm your baby, while you drink much alcohol—impairs your baby’s growth. You can safely drink beer while breastfeeding by following some safety precautions. But, think about your baby before consuming alcohol or other addictive products.
Reference
https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-breastfeeding-women-drink-beer-5216667