Health news - alcohol lowers breast milk production
18 April 2005 - written by Bupa's Health information team
Drinking as little as two glasses of wine before breastfeeding may reduce the amount of milk mums produce, according to a new study published in the April 2005 edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.1
Alcohol may also slow the time it takes for milk to be released from the breast when the baby starts suckling.
What did the study show?
The study found that a moderate amount of alcohol, equivalent to two glasses of wine, significantly changed the levels of breastfeeding hormones in nursing mums.1
This is the first study to look at the effects of alcohol on breastfeeding women.1
How was the study carried out?
The study looked at a group of 17 healthy, non-smoking women, who were all breastfeeding babies aged two to four months.1
The women were given a glass of orange juice on two separate days. On one day the drink contained only orange juice. On the other day the drink contained orange juice and a measure of alcohol equivalent to two glasses of wine.1
After drinking the juice, the women used breast pumps to stimulate milk flow while the researchers measured changes in their levels of breastfeeding hormones.1
What are the breastfeeding hormones?
The breastfeeding hormones are prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates a mother's breast to fill with milk. Oxytocin stimulates the release of the milk - "milk let-down" - where the mother's breast pushes the milk to the nipple and releases it as the baby suckles.2
How did alcohol appear to affect the breastfeeding hormones?
During the hours after drinking alcohol, prolactin levels rose by 336 percent and oxytocin levels fell by an average of 78 percent.1
The fall in oxytocin meant that the mothers took longer to produce the first drop of milk and released less milk.1
But the rise in prolactin may have given the mothers a feeling of breast fullness.1
I heard that alcohol improves the quality of breast milk - is this false?
Many breastfeeding mothers have been advised to drink alcohol to boost the quality and quantity of their breast milk.1
It's true that mothers may feel their breasts contain more milk after they have had a drink. But this feeling of fullness may be associated with the rise in prolactin rather than the alcohol itself.1
This study suggests that while drinking alcohol may help a nursing mum feel more relaxed, it may reduce the baby's milk supply and make it harder for the baby to suckle.1
Should I avoid drinking alcohol while I'm breastfeeding?
Drinking alcohol does not seriously harm the baby, and mums should not stop breastfeeding simply because they have had an alcoholic drink.
But this study suggests that drinking alcohol may reduce a mum's milk production in the short term.1 More research is needed to confirm this.
If you do choose to drink alcohol while breastfeeding, the best advice is to not drink shortly before feeding your baby.3
How much alcohol can I drink while breastfeeding?
Whether you are breastfeeding or not, women are advised to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, and no more than two to three units in any one day.
Units are standard amounts of alcohol. As a rough guide, the following drinks contain one unit of alcohol:4
- one small glass (125ml) of table wine
- a single pub measure (25ml) of whisky, gin or brandy
- half a pint of beer or cider
- quarter of a pint of superstrength beer or cider
Can alcohol pass into breast milk?
During pregnancy, any alcohol that is consumed is always passed on to the baby in the womb.
It's also possible for a mum to pass on a small amount of alcohol to her baby through her breast milk if she breastfeeds soon after drinking.3,5 Alcohol can make the milk smell and taste different, which may put your baby off.3
Because alcohol is not trapped in breast milk, the level of alcohol will drop over time. This is why mums are advised not to drink alcohol for a few hours before breastfeeding.5
Why breastfeed?
Breast milk is a vital source of nutrients for babies. It provides ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. It contains just the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and iron to help the baby grow. The composition of breast milk also changes over time to suit the different needs of the baby as it grows.2
Breast milk is also free, available on demand, at the right temperature, and easy for the baby to digest. In addition, there is no need for sterilising or buying expensive equipment.2
The Department of Health recommends breastfeeding for the first six months. Breastfeeding has proven health benefits for both the child and mother in the short and long term.2,6
What are the benefits of breastfeeding for babies?
Breast milk is good for the baby's immune system. It helps the baby fight off infections until its own immune system is strong enough. 2 Compared with bottle-fed babies, breast-fed babies are less likely to develop: 2,6
- respiratory tract infections (eg, colds, sore throat, croup)
- ear infections
- gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach, causing sickness and diarrhoea)
Breastfeeding for the first six months also helps the baby in later life. Breast-fed babies are less likely to: 2,6
- develop allergies such as asthma and eczema
- develop diabetes in childhood
- become obese in the future
What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mums?
Breastfeeding mums may have a lower risk of: 2,6
- breast cancer
- ovarian cancer
- brittle bones (osteoporosis)
Breastfeeding may also help you to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight more easily.6
Who can breastfeed?
It's possible for almost every mother to feed their babies using only breast milk. A few mothers, who have specific medical conditions, may be unable to produce enough milk to feed their babies well.7
How long should I breastfeed for?
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (26 weeks) is recommended. Supplements and formulas aren't needed because breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs.7
After six months, breastfeeding should continue while solid food is being introduced. It can continue up to two years of age and beyond.7
Bupa information:
- Bupa factsheet: Breastfeeding
- Bupa article: Breastfeeding
- Bupa information area: Alcohol and your health
Further information:
-
The Breastfeeding Network
0870 900 8787 (Breastfeeding network supporterline)
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk -
National Childbirth Trust
(0870 444 8708)
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/ -
British Nutrition Foundation
www.nutrition.org.uk
References
- Mennella JA, Pepino MY, Teff KL. Acute alcohol consumption disrupts the hormonal milieu of lactating women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90: 1979-1985.
-
Breastfeeding. NHS Direct Online Encyclopaedia.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk -
Alcohol and Pregnancy. Directgov.
www.direct.gov.uk -
Factsheet: Alcohol and you. Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).
www.ias.org.uk -
Alcohol. British Nutrition Foundation.
www.nutrition.org.uk -
Press release, 12 May 2003. New recommendation offers mothers support to mark National Breastfeeding Awareness week. Department of Health (DOH).
www.dh.gov.uk -
Breastfeeding information: Promoting proper feeding for infants and young children. World Health Organisation (WHO).
www.who.int
All websites accessed on 11 April 2005.
