alcohol and breastfeeding

[mclisa]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31524267...womens_health/


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31524267...womens_health/

[Drummer's Wife]

the link didn't work for me, but I'm interested in reading the article!

[Tofu the Geek]

Link doesn't work. Is this the article on the woman that got charged for breastfeeding her 6 week old while "intoxicated"? (I only put it in quotes because they didn't actually test her BAC)

[chase_mommy]

I was slightly annoyed with that article, for more than one reason.

[FondestBianca]

Originally Posted by chase_mommy

I was slightly annoyed with that article, for more than one reason.

The article I read was pretty short and to the point. Maybe we were reading a different article since the link doesn't work. What was it that was bothering you about it? Was something about the story or sentencing annoying you?

[chase_mommy]

Originally Posted by FondestBianca

The article I read was pretty short and to the point. Maybe we were reading a different article since the link doesn't work. What was it that was bothering you about it? Was something about the story or sentencing annoying you?

I'm pretty sure we read the same or a similar article. It was on my AOL or Yahoo page.

I was bothered with the lack of information in the article. Breastfeeding is already looked down on and I just feel this is just another negative thing an uneducated person could cling to. You never know, that mother could have been having A drink when that police officer arrived. Then on the other hand she could have truly been intoxicated and had no business breastfeeding at that time. I think if that was that case (truly intoxicated) it should had stated about her failing a breathalyser test or something. I, personally, don't drink but I do know of mothers who have a glass of wine from time to time and then nurse their LO's. There is nothing wrong with a drink here and there, IMHO but there is no doubt in my mind there are some mothers (after reading/seeing that article) who second guessing having a drink. I just don't think that article was written in best way that it could have, more information should have been provided or not written at all. Of course, I am not a huge fan of the media, they like to pick and choose what they use to write about to paint the picture they want you to see and it may not always be the correct one. So really, just the lack of information annoyed me.

[ShwarmaQueen]

The mom should have never been bothered. It's her choice. Bottom line.

Regarding BFing and drinking. Why would a mom strive to have a drug free delivery, eat as healthy as possible to ensure the best nutrition, and then drink alcohol, a known toxin, which in a small quantity will pass through to the baby? Even a small amount is too much IMO. I don't understand. Makes no sense to me.

[FondestBianca]

this is where I think personal rights should really go out the window. I'm glad shes in a heap of trouble. One drink or 5, bad choice. I don't care if its a glass of wine or 5 shots of hard alcohol... same offence. I'm pretty extreme when it comes to alcohol. I don't think it should be legal for anyone, of any age. But, giving an unknowning INFANT booze..... what the heck is wrong with people!?!?!?

Normally I stay low key on the issues but this one is my hot button. I better stop now while I can still restrain myself.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

then drink alcohol, a known toxin, which in a small quantity will pass through to the baby?

Originally Posted by FondestBianca

I don't care if its a glass of wine or 5 shots of hard alcohol... same offence. I'm pretty extreme when it comes to alcohol. I don't think it should be legal for anyone, of any age. But, giving an unknowning INFANT booze..... what the heck is wrong with people!?!?!?

But breastfeeding after or while drinking alcohol doesn't pass dangerous amounts on to baby. Mama's breastmilk will be the same alcohol content as her blood, which even after drinking enough to make Mama pass out, will still have an alcohol content lower than non-alcoholic beer.

The bigger issuse by far is drunk parenting.

[kiara7]

Originally Posted by FondestBianca

this is where I think personal rights should really go out the window. I'm glad shes in a heap of trouble. One drink or 5, bad choice. I don't care if its a glass of wine or 5 shots of hard alcohol... same offence. I'm pretty extreme when it comes to alcohol. I don't think it should be legal for anyone, of any age. But, giving an unknowning INFANT booze..... what the heck is wrong with people!?!?!?

Normally I stay low key on the issues but this one is my hot button. I better stop now while I can still restrain myself.

I didn't read anywhere that the mother GAVE her child BOOZE?????

[taramoon13]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

But breastfeeding after or while drinking alcohol doesn't pass dangerous amounts on to baby. Mama's breastmilk will be the same alcohol content as her blood, which even after drinking enough to make Mama pass out, will still have an alcohol content lower than non-alcoholic beer.

The bigger issuse by far is drunk parenting.

well said! i think we are confusing drinking while pregnant and drinking while BF'ing which are 2 totally different issues.

[mclisa]

Police officers who responded to a domestic disturbance call at Anvarinia's home on April 13 say they saw an intoxicated Anvarinia breast feeding.



from the article






The alcohol will pass to breast milk. If she was intoxicated (not sure how much), but if you are stumbling drunk...I don't think that is a safe level that will be in your breast milk.

[FondestBianca]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

But breastfeeding after or while drinking alcohol doesn't pass dangerous amounts on to baby. Mama's breastmilk will be the same alcohol content as her blood, which even after drinking enough to make Mama pass out, will still have an alcohol content lower than non-alcoholic beer.

The bigger issuse by far is drunk parenting.

yes, her drunk parenting is no small issue. agreed. Any alcohol knowingly given to a baby simply because mom wanted to have a little fun, relax a bit, or in this case, get totally wasted is pretty sad.

Originally Posted by kiara7

I didn't read anywhere that the mother GAVE her child BOOZE?????

breastfeeding while intoxicated IS giving your child alcohol. Just because she didn't hold the bottle up to the baby's mouth and pour it down doesn't mean she isn't guilty of giving a child alcohol IMO.

Originally Posted by taramoon13

well said! i think we are confusing drinking while pregnant and drinking while BF'ing which are 2 totally different issues.

I'm not confusing the two. I think they are seperate issue, yes... and different as well but, IMO both are irresponsible and dare I say, immoral... IMO.

[Youngfrankenstein]

I don't really drink but I would not think it was wrong for a mother to have a beer while she is a nursing mom.

[somanyjoys]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

Regarding BFing and drinking. Why would a mom strive to have a drug free delivery, eat as healthy as possible to ensure the best nutrition, and then drink alcohol, a known toxin, which in a small quantity will pass through to the baby? Even a small amount is too much IMO. I don't understand. Makes no sense to me.

Well, honestly, I did not have a drug free birth, so I can't fully comment on this. I just want to make clear that BAC relates to the level of alcohol in the mom's milk, so if a mom is enjoying alcohol in moderation, baby is not getting much alcohol at all. I follow the rule, if you can drive, you can breastfeed.

Other cultures do not abstain from MODERATE alcohol consumption during pregnancy like we do in the US. I know I allowed myself a half glass of wine at celebrations during my pregnancy (as did my OB herself.) I nurse my babies for 2+ years. I have no problem with drinking in moderation during that time.

The issue with drinking to excess is not *breastfeeding. It is *parenting. If you are drunk, how can you safely care for your infant?

I think what has happened to this mom and baby is horrible! I don't know the full story, but from the little I know, she should not have been arrested, IMHO.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Just as so many other things in our culture, drinking while breastfeeding seems to be acceptable because it is widely done. But again I ask, why would a mom strive to have a drug-free pregnancy/delivery, excellent nutrition, but then knowingly give her child a toxin? Yes it's accepted and *probably* ok, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's willingly putting poison into her infant for her own pleasure.

[FondestBianca]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

Yes it's accepted and *probably* ok, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's willingly putting poison into her infant for her own pleasure.

bingo!

why not relax with, have fun because of, or indulge in something that isn't alcohol and won't have any effect on your baby??? Furthermore, addictive chemicals given to baby through breastmilk *could* (pay close attention to the "could". I haven't done a lengthy scientific study on this so don't quote me as calling a theory a fact. I'm not stating it as fact) contribute to problems down the road. If your body (purely your body and not your thought or emotion) begin to crave the effects of a chemical and are continued to be indugled for a long span of time (like during the breastfeedng duration) a person might be more likely to have instant cravings and addictive tendencies toward those chemicals when introduced again later on like in the teen years when many kids experiement with alcohol or even later in the early 20's. Why would anyone want to take the tiniest, smallest, most minute risk of something like that for a few minutes of brain numbing or a taste in your mouth?

that boggles my mind

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

I don't really drink but I would not think it was wrong for a mother to have a beer while she is a nursing mom.

Good thing, because I am guilty of exactly that on more then one occassion.

I dont think I could even tolerate more then one beer or one glass of wine, but once in a while, I will allow myself one, especially now that it is summer. ALchohol gets a bad rap, IMO, because it is way to easy to abuse.

[mclisa]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

I don't really drink but I would not think it was wrong for a mother to have a beer while she is a nursing mom.

A beer is not intoxication.

I see nothing wrong with having one beer/one glass of wine while breast feeding. It's if you are wasted that I have an issue.

[Youngfrankenstein]

I agree, mclisa, but a pp said she felt is was "IMO both are irresponsible and dare I say, immoral... IMO." (to have a drink either while pregnant or a nursing mom)

That is why I posted what I did.