Let’s say you’re at a friend’s party, have a couple of drinks and feel a little tipsy. At that point, there will be a small amount of alcohol in your breastmilk. Now, if the party goes late… things get a little out of hand… you’ve had quite a few more drinks, and wind-up prancing around your friend’s house wearing nothing but a bear-skin rug… there will be a lot of alcohol in your breastmilk!
What happens to the alcohol in the breastmilk? Do you need to pump and dump? The milk-alcohol level will be based on your blood-alcohol level. As your body metabolizes the excess alcohol and the blood alcohol slowly decreases, so will the milk level. You generally don’t have to pump and dump, unless you need to prevent engorgement. When the effects of the alcohol have worn off, then it is fine to nurse again.
One more thing: be prepared to pay top dollar to buy the negatives of any photos that were taken at the party!
Dr. Jim
