Drinking Wine While Breastfeeding – Is It Safe?

Key Takeaways

• Limited consumption of alcohol during breastfeeding is considered low-risk when timed carefully.
• A single drink of alcohol hangs around for about 2 to 3 hours in the mother’s blood.
• Once the alcohol has fully cleared from your blood, your milk is alcohol-free again without any need to pump and discard.
• The CDC advise mothers to wait at least two hours after a single drink before nursing again.
• Alcohol changes the breast milk flavour, which makes babies drink less.

After nine months of dedication, you may now think of sipping your favourite glass of red, but how safe it is to drink wine while breastfeeding is a topic of concern for a majority of mothers. True, but bitter – it is easy to feel overwhelmed when there’s plenty of conflicting and well-meaning advice from known people, and a fair amount of guilt-inducing information floating over social media that doesn’t always have actual scientific backing. Let’s give you a hint: the answer to the above question is not that nuanced. Whether it is safe to drink wine while nursing depends on the health of the mother and the baby, the amount of alcohol, when you drink relative to nursing your baby, and much more.

There’s plenty to discuss regarding wine and breastfeeding. Join us as we present a detailed overview of drinking wine and nursing, so you can make an informed decision that works for you and your baby, without any confusion.

Can I Drink Wine During Breastfeeding?

Is it safe to drink wine while breastfeeding? Well, an occasional glass of wine while breastfeeding is not considered harmful as long as moderation is maintained.

But what’s moderation? As per the database published on LactMed, the National Library of Medicine, casual drinking does not affect the breastfeeding duration. However, daily or heavy use of alcohol, more than 2 drinks daily, has the potential to decrease the duration of breastfeeding in mothers (1).

Since alcohol passes freely into the breast milk from the bloodstream, the amount of alcohol present in your milk would be the same as the amount present in your blood. But the good news is that alcohol does not always stay accumulated; it gradually falls, and so does the level in your breast milk. For your body to metabolise alcohol, you need about 1 to 3 hours. The CDC recommends that mothers wait at least 2 hours after a single drink before nursing again (2).

That said, if you decide to top up one more drink, then? Well, the more you drink, the longer the alcohol will stay in your bloodstream and breast milk due to the volume. A single drink hangs around for about 2 to 3 hours, two drinks take about 4 to 5 hours, and three drinks maintain their presence for about 6 to 8 hours (3).

In short, as long as you stick to just one drink, you’ll have a window of 2 hours before you can breastfeed again, and your baby will be OK.

How Does Alcohol Affect Breast Milk Supply and Your Baby?

Alcohol affects both the quality of your milk and its production, and it can have measurable effects on your baby if consumed in significant amounts. The amount of alcohol ingested by a nursing infant through breast milk is about 5 to 6% of the weight-adjusted maternal dose (4). Here is what the evidence shows:

1. Alcohol Reduces Milk Supply Temporarily

Alcohol inhibits milk production by suppressing oxytocin, which is the hormone responsible for the milk let-down reflex. Studies have found that nursing mothers produce approximately 20% less milk in the hours following alcohol consumption compared to when no alcohol was consumed (5). This temporary dip in milk supply resolves as the alcohol decreases from the system, but regular drinking can cause a steady reduction in milk volume over time.

2. Alcohol Changes the Taste of Breast Milk

Alcohol changes the breast milk flavour noticeably, and mostly babies respond to this altered taste by drinking less at feeds (6). Although this is a short-term effect, if it happens frequently, babies may have a hard time gaining weight and proper nutrition. Thus, the caution around drinking wine while nursing persists.

3. Regular Alcohol Exposure Can Affect Baby’s Development

While occasional low-level alcohol exposure through breast milk carries minimal risk of exposure, regular or heavy drinking while breastfeeding may cause disrupted sleep patterns in infants.

4. Alcohol Can Cause Drowsiness and Feeding Problems in Newborns

In newborns and very young infants, even small amounts of alcohol consumed through breast milk can cause drowsiness, weakness, and poor feeding. The liver enzyme responsible for metabolising alcohol (alcohol dehydrogenase) is not fully developed in infants, meaning their bodies clear alcohol much more slowly than an adult’s body does.

5. Alcohol Can Cause Sleep Issues in Infants

Studies have shown that babies slept about 25% less after drinking breast milk that contained alcohol (7). A baby that falls asleep faster after an alcohol-containing feed and then wakes sooner is not a rested baby – the alcohol has interfered with the quality of their sleep.

6. Developmental Issues in the Infant

When infants are repeatedly exposed to alcohol through breats milk, it can affect their gross motor development and reasoning skills during childhood (8).

How Long After Drinking Wine Can You Breastfeed?

As per the CDC, a standard 148ml (5oz) glass of wine at 12% ABV, takes approximately two to three hours to fully clear from the system of an average-weight adult woman. Two drinks require approximately four to five hours. Three drinks require at least six to eight hours (2).

Authorities like the World Health Organization suggest waiting 2 hours after consuming one standard alcohol drink (10 g of pure alcohol) and 4 to 8 hours after consuming more than one drink in a single occasion before breastfeeding, expressing, or dumping milk within that timeframe (9) (10).

The safest practical strategy for a breastfeeding mother who wants to have a glass of wine is to feed or pump just before drinking, then wait the appropriate clearance time before nursing again. This approach allows you to enjoy an occasional drink while keeping your baby’s alcohol exposure as close to zero as practically possible. Drinking wine while actively nursing is not recommended.

Should You Pump and Dump After Drinking Wine?

Many mothers believe that pumping breast milk after drinking removes the alcohol from their system and makes future milk safe more quickly. This recommendation around breastfeeding and alcohol is a myth.

The alcohol will stay in your breast milk till it is in your blood. Pumping and discarding milk does not cause this process to happen any faster. It just removes the milk present at the time of drinking, which will be replaced by equally alcohol-containing milk from your bloodstream until your blood alcohol level falls naturally. If you have more than one drink and delay nursing, you may need to pump and dump to avoid engorgement or breast milk leaking.

So, wait for the alcohol to clear naturally, and your next pumped or expressed milk will be alcohol-free.

Guidelines for Drinking Wine During Breastfeeding

If you plan to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine while being on the nursing stage, you may do so safely as long as you keep some things in consideration.

1. Stick to one standard drink on any occasion: The CDC considers a 148ml (5oz) glass of wine at 12% ABV as one standard drink. Keep this as an occasional drinking limit and not daily.

2. Feed or pump immediately before drinking: Nursing or pumping just before you have a drink ensures your baby is properly fed or will have alcohol-free milk for his next feed.

3. Wait at least two to three hours per standard drink before nursing: Wait the appropriate time for your body weight and the number of drinks consumed before breastfeeding again. When in doubt, wait longer.

4. Do not nurse while actively drinking or immediately after: The concentration of alcohol in breast milk peaks about 30 to 60 minutes after drinking (slightly longer if you ate before drinking). So, feeding during this peak window or just after drinking should be avoided.

5. Avoid drinking if your baby is a newborn or premature: Preterm or newborn babies have immature livers and have less ability to metabolise alcohol than full-term babies. Exercising caution in the first four to eight weeks will keep trouble away.

6. Never share a bed with your baby after drinking: Even if it is wine and one drink, it is advised to not share your bed with your baby. Ask your husband or other caregiver to look after while you settle down.

Safe Alternatives to Wine While Breastfeeding

If you want to enjoy the social experience of wine but without alcohol, here are some alternatives to wine while breastfeeding.

• Non-alcoholic or de-alcoholised wine in different styles, such as sparkling wine, rosé, and red and white still wines. Look for products labelled 0.0% ABV to ensure complete alcohol removal.
• Sparkling grape juice or elderflower pressé with sparkling water and a slice of lemon offers a similar refreshing adult feel without any alcohol.
• Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with a naturally tangy, complex flavour that many wine drinkers find satisfying as a substitute. You can look for brands that label ‘alcohol-free’ or explicitly test and certify below 0.5% ABV.
• Herbal teas made with hibiscus, rooibos, lemon or ginger.

When to Avoid Wine Completely While Nursing?

Although it has been established that a standard glass of wine won’t particularly harm the baby if breastfeeding is done two hours after drinking, there are some conditions in which avoiding alcohol entirely during the nursing period is the right call:

• When your baby is a newborn (first 4–8 weeks). Many lactation consultants and paediatricians recommend avoiding alcohol entirely in this early window, particularly while you and your baby are still establishing a breastfeeding routine.
• If your baby was born prematurely or has health complications.
• If a social situation makes it difficult to keep track of how much you have drunk or how much time has passed, it is safer to use pumped milk or formula for the next feed rather than risk feeding your baby.
• If you are taking medications that could interact with alcohol and affect the composition of breast milk.
• If you have a personal or family history of alcohol use disorder.

FAQs

1. Can one glass of wine affect my breast milk?

Yes, one glass of wine can also affect your breast milk. Alcohol passes into breast milk at roughly the same concentration as it appears in your blood, so any amount of alcohol consumed will result in some alcohol being present in your milk for a period of time.

2. Can alcohol in breast milk affect my baby’s sleep?

Yes, alcohol present in your breast milk can disrupt your baby’s sleep by making them drowsy falling asleep more quickly and then waking up sooner and having a light sleep.

3. Is it safe to drink wine while nursing if I only have one glass at night?

A single glass of wine in the evening can be managed while breastfeeding if you time it thoughtfully. The most practical approach is to nurse or pump before you consume alcohol, so your baby has a reserve to use when alcohol is present in your system. You can also use formula milk.

4. Can I drink wine every day while breastfeeding?

No. You should not consume wine every day while nursing.

It is OK to enjoy an occasional glass of wine during breastfeeding. Make sure to nurse before you have alcohol so your baby doesn’t stay hungry or consume alcohol-traced breast milk. Depending on what and how much you drink, you can delay nursing accordingly. If you have any doubts related to breastfeeding and alcohol, we suggest consulting your doctor or your paediatrician for proper guidance.

Sources References

1. National Library of Medicine – Alcohol

2. CDC – Alcohol

3. CDC – Vaccines, Drugs, Alcohol, and Breastfeeding

4. Wiley Online Library – Alcohol and Breastfeeding

5. National Library of Medicine – Alcohol’s Effect on Lactation

6. National Library of Medicine – The transfer of alcohol to human milk. Effects on flavor and the infant’s behavior

7. National Library of Medicine – Sleep disturbances after acute exposure to alcohol in mothers’ milk

8. AAP Publications – Drinking while breastfeeding linked with children’s reasoning deficits

9. World Health Organization – Guidelines for the identification and management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy

10. National Library of Medicine – ABM Clinical Protocol #21: Guidelines for Breastfeeding and Substance Use or Substance Use Disorder, Revised 2015