

(You may notice that they’re sleepier, but don’t sleep as long.) This is largely the result of impaired REM sleep and increased startling/arousal. In the short term, you may notice that your baby doesn’t sleep as well after you’ve had alcohol and breastfed. Yes, alcohol does pass into your breast milk.Įxcessive alcohol consumption can have an impact on your baby’s sleep patterns and growth/development. (Similarly, when parents pumped within 2 hours of consuming alcohol, significantly less milk than normal was obtained.)Ī potential solution? An alcohol-free beer! This type of beer provides the galactagogue (milk supply-enhancing) benefits of barley without the negative counter effects of alcohol. However, the alcohol component of beer decreases milk production and inhibits the milk ejection reflex from letting down as much milk.Īccording to older - but foundational - research published in 2001, as a result of this inhibited milk ejection reflex, babies consumed approximately 20 percent less breast milk during the first 4 hours after alcohol had been consumed as before, despite spending a similar amount of time on the breast. You may be excited to hear that the barley aspect of beer can boost prolactin production. However, the research doesn’t necessarily support it actually increasing milk production. Low-alcohol beer has even been marketed in the United States - as early as the late 1800s and even today - specifically for lactating women! there are records seeming to show beer being prescribed as a milk-boosting agent, and this idea of alcohol being used for this purpose has been encouraged in numerous cultures for centuries. Where did they get this idea? Are they right?Īs far back as 2000 B.C. It’s OK to feel however you feel.But I’ve heard that beer increases your milk supply!Ĭhances are someone has encouraged you to have some Guinness to increase your breast milk supply. You may find that you love doing a combination of breastfeeding and pumping, or you might discover just like peanut butter and jelly, it’s overrated to you. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experiences are different! Their support can help to make your experience breastfeeding and pumping a more comfortable one. If you experience breast discomfort or find that your milk supply is at an uncomfortable level, you’ll want to talk with your doctor or a lactation professional.

Schedules for breastfeeding and pumping can vary depending on many factors, so you may want to discuss your situation with a lactation consultant. Pumping after breastfeeding sessions can also offer a way to collect breast milk for bottles when you need some extra sleep or have to be away from your baby for an extended period of time. If you find that your breast milk supply is lower than you (or your baby) would like it, a combination of breastfeeding and pumping might help. If you’re having trouble getting your body to let down with the pump, consider placing something warm on your chest first and looking at videos of your little one while you pump. (As an added bonus, a 2018 study showed that this may just help to prevent respiratory and ear issues!) Use the paced bottle feeding method to help ensure that your baby is more likely to want to continue breastfeeding. You may want to place a few baskets around your house near your favorite breastfeeding locations that hold a water bottle, easy-to-eat adult snacks, nipple cream, burp clothes, wipes, and diapers, so you don’t have to get up to look for these items once you start feeding and pumping. This can help prevent damage to your nipples and discomfort while you pump. Before pumping, make sure to double-check the flanges to make sure that they fit properly. You may wish to use a Haakaa silicone breast pump or other milk storage container to collect the milk leaking from the breast your baby is not currently using, so this milk isn’t lost before you pump. Doing these things can also help increase the amount of milk your breasts produce in the future. Hands-on pumping and hand expression can help to increase the amount of milk you get out of your breasts. That way your little one can have their fill first, you’ll be able to empty your breasts fully after, and your breasts will have maximum time to refill before the next feed! It’s generally best to pump after breastfeeding. If you’re considering combined breastfeeding and pumping, here are a few suggestions to help you get started: Tips for combining breastfeeding and pumping
