Tip for New Moms

Q: Although I want to breastfeed my new baby, I don't want to give up having an occasional glass of wine. Any advice?

A: Timing and moderation are the answer, says Dr. Jody Hopkinson, a lactation physiologist with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Alcohol does get into breast milk when you drink. But, if you limit yourself to an occasional single 3 ounce glass of wine and wait two hours or more before nursing, your body will be able to clear both your blood and milk of alcohol, making it safe to breastfeed.

Exposure to alcohol could become a problem for your infants however, if you nurse too soon, drink too much or drink frequently. A baby's body metabolizes alcohol very slowly, so even a small amount can affect nursing and sleep patterns. Initially, alcohol reduces nursing time by inducing sleep. But several hours later, it has the opposite affect and begins to interfere with sleep. Regular alcohol exposure can also affect a baby's behavior and coordination.

- From Kids' Nutrition Q&A, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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