Alcohol & Breastfeeding
One drink v many drinks
No alcohol is safest for breastfeeding — but if you choose to drink, time your feeds and keep safety in mind.
How Alcohol Passes into Breast Milk
Alcohol moves into breast milk at the same concentration as in your blood. It peaks about 30–60 minutes after drinking (longer if you’ve eaten). The only way for it to leave breast milk is for it to leave your bloodstream, pumping and dumping won’t speed that up.
One Drink vs. Many Drinks
One Standard Drink
Wait about 2 hours before breastfeeding.
Minimal risk for most healthy, full-term babies.
May slightly reduce milk intake (about 20%) and cause minor changes in baby’s sleep patterns.
Two or More Drinks
Wait about 4 hours before breastfeeding.
Increases risk of disrupting milk production and affecting baby’s feeding and sleep.
More pronounced effects on infant alertness and coordination.
Heavy or Frequent Drinking
Associated with earlier weaning.
Can affect growth, motor skills, and cognitive development.
Also impacts caregiver safety and ability to respond to baby.
The 2-Hour Rule
A simple guideline: wait 2 hours per standard drink before breastfeeding again.
One drink size and average alcohol content
5 oz wine (12%)
12 oz beer (5%)
1.5 oz spirits (40%)
Safety Tips
Plan Ahead - Feed or pump before drinking.
Have Backup Milk -Store expressed milk or use formula if needed.
Avoid Bed-Sharing -Especially if you’ve had alcohol, as it increases the risk of SIDS.
Don’t Rely on Pump & Dump - Only time reduces alcohol in milk.
Seek Support - If you drink heavily or often, speak to your healthcare provider.
Bottom Line
No alcohol is safest for breastfeeding — but if you choose to drink, time your feeds and keep safety in mind. Occasional light drinking, spaced from feeds, is unlikely to harm a healthy baby, but frequent or heavy drinking carries significant risks.
