Breastfeeding & Cocktails Breastfeeding Message Board

LMB2007 · 10-07-09, 09:33 PM

My best friend is coming into town to visit, and she wants to take me out for cocktails, basically a girls night out since we NEVER see each other. I am pumping breast milk for my son and I was wondering if I drank some cocktails with her one night, how long will that stay in my system and go to my milk? I know that obviously my milk would be be no good for him, but for how long? Any answers would be greatly appreciated!

Dopey406 · 10-07-09, 09:53 PM

How many drinks are you talking about? If it's just one or two, you'd be fine. If it's more than that, I'd probably pump and dump a couple of feedings.

I hope you have a good time!! That sounds like a blast!!

imagine · 10-07-09, 11:11 PM

I read that it's about 2 hours as long as your not getting smashed that is!! lol when ds was little I had a glass or two on wine every once in a while and I would wait at least 2 hours. Most the time you can tell when it's out of your system because the buzz/tipsy feeling will go away, so if it has been 2 hours and your still feeling drunk or buzzed I would wait to breastfeed a bit longer until that feeling goes away.

LMB2007 · 10-08-09, 12:57 AM

I'm not sure how many cocktails that I will have. Its one of those things that will just depend on how I feel I guess, and how long we are out. Should I pump and dump for like a day or a half of a day? I know I would definitely not want to give him anything from when I'm feeling any drinks or anything like that, (I don't plan on being drunk or buzzed and taking care of him anyway). I just don't want to take a chance of giving him anything contaminated, so I'm trying to figure out the timeframe of when it will be "safe" to give him breast milk again. Thanks for the suggestions!!!!!!!

MrsS1stbaby · 10-08-09, 12:05 PM

They sell strips at BabiesRUs that test for alcohol. I used them often! When K was 8 weeks old I had my 1st outing & had a few beers. I went home, pumped, & tested. (dd was already sleeping thru the night, but if I had had to feed her soon after or even a few hours after, I probably would have given her formula to be on the safe side) If the milk tests postive, I dumped. If it tested negative, I kept it. Some alcohol affected my milk differently along w/other factors as it does when are not worried about BF, ykwim?

And I don't know about your household, but it wasn't just the milk I was worried about. If I drank too much & stayed out too late, I would want to sleep in & probably wouldn't feel 100% the next day and dd was still on her regular schedule, waking up at 7am or some god-awful hour! So, I usually opt for only a couple drinks anyways, unless Dh promises to get up her with.....which does not happen often, lol.