Can we talk about alcohol? - Page 2

[krisw]

I only drink VERY rarely, and usually just a bit for the flavor of an unusual-for-me drink. I've only had once drink since having my son, and that was several months ago--about half a glass of wine, if that, RIGHT after my son had just nursed when I could be reasonably certain he wouldn't want to nurse for a while. Not even enough for me to feel it, and followed up by lots of water and a full (very full!) dinner. I wasn't worried. =)

[sharon71]

I voted none only because I haven't had any alcohol since 2 weeks prior to conceiving.Not because I think it's unhealthy or wrong to have an occasional drink.
Sometimes however i feel like I could down a bottle of Sangria:

[RootSnort]

I have one dark beer many days, with dinner or other food, to help boost milk production. I'm careful to make sure it doesn't go to my head, and I pump just before I drink it. Baby boy has never shown any reaction to those evening bottles versus the morning ones.

[Jennbee]

Very rarely, maybe a couple of times a year.

[Lynnseedoil]

I voted Once/week. Sometimes I go weeks without, sometimes I have a glass of beer 3 days in a row. Just depends on when it's available and what's happening around me!

[Sagesgirl]

I drink very, very rarely. I did even before I had kids. Probably the result of growing up around alcoholics and seeing what utter f'ing idiots they made of themselves of a Friday night. I am with Amris on the negative effects of drinking on a family. Even if you don't turn into an alcoholic yourself (both my husband & I grew up with alcoholic fathers and neither of us drinks more often than maybe 2x or 3x a year), there is definite harm done. And if I go any further into my thoughts of being "tipsy" around children, I'll be committing a real UA violation.

As far as the "beneficial" effects of alcohol...There's frankly nothing in a glass of wine that you can't get from a glass of grape juice, and grape juice isn't potentially toxic.

[alegna]

I voted rarely, but it's really more like once in awhile. I have a hard cider or glass of wine or the like a few times a year (when not pregnant). Maybe once every month or two?

I am very familiar with alcoholics and their behavior- have them scattered through the family. My parents never made a big deal out of alcohol (it was never forbidden, we could have sips, etc) and it has never been a big deal to me.

I have no problem nursing after having a drink or two.

-Angela

[darkpear]

I like to have a beer or two. I haven't been drunk in years - not since before I had kids. I don't enjoy being drunk...

Isn't the amount of alcohol in your milk approximately the same as what's in your blood? So after two beers (if I slammed them back-to-back, rather than having two over the course of an evening), blood alcohol is .08, milk alcohol is about the same... just doesn't seem enough to worry about, to me.

[ledzepplon]

Originally Posted by Amris

There are a large number of studies that show that children who live in a home with parents who drink, who smoke, or who have other "habits" end up doing the same things, statistically speaking. Furthermore, many of those studies indicate that children from those homes tend to have a far higher likelihood of becoming alcohol addicts.

Actually, there are also credible studies done that show evidence that kids who grow up in homes where responsible, moderate drinking has been modeled do not have a high risk of becoming alcohol abusers.

I don't think the OP is about being an alcoholic breastfeeding mom. It's about the occassional drink, which I have no problem with at all.

[Blue Dragonfly]

I drink on a fairly regular basis. I have no concerns about BFing while drinking. I think its important to be responsible about drinking. I hope never to be drunk in front of my children (can't say it won't ever happen, but I don't plan on it). I never drive after drinking even one drink, for at least 3 hours. I have a back up plan for emergencies if I drink (ie. someone to call if I need to, God-forbid, go to the hospital with my DC's). If I am going to have more than a couple of drinks, and get tipsy, I make sure I have another adult around who can care for my children, if they need it.

That said, I can imagine it would be very emotionally difficult to accept that drinking is ok if you came from a home where alchohol/drugs were abused. I remember seeing my parents drunk a couple of times, and it was pretty scary. I can't imagine how difficult that would be to live with every day.

[aiccerb]

Originally Posted by sunnysideup

Moderate drinking while breastfeeding is fine.

Dr. Jack Newman, member of the LLLI Health Advisory Council, says this in his handout "More Breastfeeding Myths":

'Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for nursing mothers."

:

In regards to the original post, I answered once a week. Every Saturday night after the kids go to bed, Dh and I have "date night" out in the living room We either order in food, rent a movie, or just sit and chat. I usually kick back, have a glass of wine and spend some time enjoying my hubby. I do not think this is harmful in anyway to my dear DD. If anything I think the enjoyment/relaxation I get from it just makes me a better mama

[Amris]

Originally Posted by Blue Dragonfly

That said, I can imagine it would be very emotionally difficult to accept that drinking is ok if you came from a home where alchohol/drugs were abused. I remember seeing my parents drunk a couple of times, and it was pretty scary. I can't imagine how difficult that would be to live with every day.

That's exactly the point I was trying to make regarding the person who so adamantly said she'd rather formula feed than give her baby alcohol.



Again, though, I will point out that alcohol is NOT healthy. If you indulge in it, it is, indeed, an indulgence. I am really surprised that on a "crunchy" board, people actually advocate the use of drugs and alcohol, when they are so detrimental to the body.

The whole, "well, it can help reduce the risk of heart disease" argument is kind of like saying, "well, shooting yourself in the foot at least would take your mind off of the headache you have, so shooting yourself in the foot is a good thing."

When you do things that your body has to "recover from" but which don't add a positive value at the other end (like exercise does, for example), then you are doing something detrimental to your body.

Alcohol has no physical benefits (aside from the 'may reduce the risk of heart disease' thing, which I'll go into in a minute), yet taxes your liver, depresses your nervous system, and uses energy for recovery that should be put to better uses. It dehydrates you, it causes an insulin response, and it is high in high GI carbs (in other words, it can contribute to making you fat).

Every bodybuilder who is at all serious about the sport knows full well the detrimental effects of drinking. You don't feel "peak" the next day, because your body is worn down from and recovering from the drinking (even in small amounts). You have to drink a lot of extra water, your energy is way down... it's just not worth it.

And it's especially not worth it for the small likelihood that it may help reduce your chances of getting heart disease. Especially given the fact that exercise, proper eating, and not forcing your body recover from an altered state will do 100x more to prevent heart disease.

It's like feeding your baby formula because "well, it will help baby sleep longer between feedings."

Is sleeping longer between feedings worth the detrimental effects of formula feeding on DC's body? Of course we'll all say, "Heck no!" and think that's a stupid question.

Well, is the "possibility of reduced likelihood of heart disease" or the "well, it alters my perceptions which is fun" worth the detrimental effects of alcohol on the body? Everyone has to decide that for themselves. Me, though, I'd rather not pass those detrimental effects of dehydration, insulin response, altered perception, etc. on to my child.

Nor do I find the decreased energy, dehydration, increased fat, and altered perceptions to be either fun, nor worth the "possible" reduction in my chance of getting heart disease.

A chance that is pretty slim for me to begin with, because I eat so carefully and exercise regularly so that my blood pressure remains low, my heart rate is slow when resting, my cholesterol levels are incredible (so sayeth the doctor), and my energy level is incredibly high.

I feel far better leading a healthy lifestyle than I feel for the short time that my perception is altered by alcohol. When you are in great physical shape, you REALLY notice the unpleasant side effects of alcohol.

If you're not in great physical shape, putting one more demand on your body isn't really helpful. It's a little like putting your pans into a really old dishwasher without prerinsing. Don't be surprised when it doesn't work out so hot.

Don't be surprised when your body gets dehydrated, you put on weight, your liver gets tired, your immune system gets depressed, your nervous system slows down, and your metabolism crashes if you add yet another thing for your body to "recover" from on top of everything else.

[Pynki]

You are missing the fact that it does help a mom unwind and relax. With no outside effort. That is a benefit. A benefit that can and is had without copious amounts of alcohol. I don't drink for my hearthealth. I drink to relax a bit.

I have to say, your last post is UBER judgemental. I am sorry if you are unable to view alcohol in a neutral light. That is not the case for everyone.

I saw my father drunk one time. I was 15. I wasn't afraid. He wasn't going to drive anywhere it was at a cast party at a hotel in his suite. I was impressed by the incredible amount of alcohol he had to imbue to get that way though. It was an impressive feat.

[Amris]

Originally Posted by Pynki

You are missing the fact that it does help a mom unwind and relax. With no outside effort. That is a benefit. A benefit that can and is had without copious amounts of alcohol. I don't drink for my hearthealth. I drink to relax a bit.

Ah, yes, the ever-popular, "I only drink a little bit, therefor my body has nothing to recover from" argument. I already stated this, but I'll do so again... even small amounts are detrimental. Do you think your body just hangs onto it? Does your liver not have to process it if it's 'just a little bit'?

I'm sorry that you're not able to relax without alcohol. I understand that that's how it is for you. I don't have a problem with you doing whatever it is that you want to do with your own body.

The purpose of my post is to say, "Do whatever you wish to do, but do it with awareness, and don't pass on myths." Myths like, "but only a little bit isn't harmful at all." It is, indeed, detrimental to the body. Will it kill you? Maybe not. Will it effect the quality of your health negatively? Definitely. As will eating sugars. As will refusing to exercise. As will many other things that "we all do, all the time." The point I am raising is that you don't have to add yet another stressor to your body.

You have decided that you will drink, regardless. Someone else who doesn't need alcohol to relax may very well read my post and say, "Hmmm, yeah, I guess the benefits don't outweigh the negatives." I think from your response here, you were not aware that EVEN A LITTLE BIT of alcohol is a stressor on your body. Since you were not aware of that, it would be reasonable to assume that others are not aware, either.

I have to say, your last post is UBER judgemental. I am sorry if you are unable to view alcohol in a neutral light. That is not the case for everyone.

No, my post was not judgemental, my post was educational. If it makes you feel guilt for drinking, that is not because of my post, it is because you are reading something into it that isn't there. The fact of the matter is, my post IS very literally in a neutral light. The FACTS are that EVEN A LITTLE alcohol has detrimental effects on your body.

It's okay if you want to indulge. But doing so without awareness and deliberate choice is not wise. I indulge in sugar on occassion. Sugar has a detrimental effect on my body, as it does on everyone's. I cannot change that medical FACT just becuase I dislike that medical fact. When I indulge in sugar, I am doing exactly that, indulging. I can honestly say that I cannot find pleasure in eating unless it's something sweet. Other times I eat, it is for sustenance.

That is not judgemental, that is just fact. For me to enjoy food, it has to be sweet. I'm not being mean or snarky or rude about that, I am simply stating something that is factual. Just as it is factual that alcohol dehydrates, alters perceptions, depresses the nervous system, etc.

I saw my father drunk one time. I was 15. I wasn't afraid. He wasn't going to drive anywhere it was at a cast party at a hotel in his suite. I was impressed by the incredible amount of alcohol he had to imbue to get that way though. It was an impressive feat.

I'm not really sure what to say here, as it has nothing to do with my post whatsoever. It would apply if I were stating physical effects that come ONLY from imbibing incredible amounts of alcohol, but I was not.

[sadkitty]

Originally Posted by Amris

Again, though, I will point out that alcohol is NOT healthy. If you indulge in it, it is, indeed, an indulgence. I am really surprised that on a "crunchy" board, people actually advocate the use of drugs and alcohol, when they are so detrimental to the body.

Well, maybe we all drink organic homebrewed beer and micro-vinted wines. i know i do. In fact we grow the hops that my BIL uses to make beeer in his kitchen a couple miles away. We also live in a region that is heavy with vineyards.

If i need to drink a glass of water or two added onto the gallon i drink daily anyway, so be it.
i come from a family of male alcoholics. but I still know the difference between drinking, getting drunk, and being a drunk.

I was mostly joking about the "heart health." Although the benefits are proven by SCIENCE! I'm vegan, my heart is just dandy. Yet, i still love a good cabernet.

I hear the hurt place you are speaking from, but not everyone comes from or goes to that place.

[Amris]

Originally Posted by sadkitty

Well, maybe we all drink organic homebrewed beer and micro-vinted wines. i know i do. In fact we grow the hops that my BIL uses to make beeer in his kitchen a couple miles away. We also live in a region that is heavy with vineyards.

If i need to drink a glass of water or two added onto the gallon i drink daily anyway, so be it.
i come from a family of male alcoholics. but I still know the difference between drinking, getting drunk, and being a drunk.

I was mostly joking about the "heart health." Although the benefits are proven by SCIENCE! I'm vegan, my heart is just dandy. Yet, i still love a good cabernet.

I hear the hurt place you are speaking from, but not everyone comes from or goes to that place.

I drink on Christmas. I love egg nog made with alcohol. I won't while I'm pregnant or nursing, because I won't make the decision of putting alcohol into someone else's body. So I am not saying that one should never drink.

I am, again, not talking about excessive drinking. Any amount of alcohol you put into your body is a stressor on your body. It's that simple. No matter how much or how little you drink, it has to be cleared by the liver, it depresses your nervous system until it has been cleared, it is dehydrative, etc.

As far as alcoholism, the belief that all alcoholics drink excessively is nonsense. Alcoholism is a disease, and it is not defined by how much or how little you drink. It is defined by addiction.

One can drink once a year and be an alcoholic. One can drink once a day, every day, and not be one.

There are a LOT of misconceptions prevalent in this thread, and that's why I'm putting the truth out there.


My "I am surprised" comment is exactly that, I am surprised. It's not an, "OMG, I can't believe this, it's so horrible!" It's nothing more or less than what I said. Surprise. People who in general are so child protective are advocating detrimental chemicals.

I feel the same way about caffiene on these boards. It is also detrimental, and people here advocate that, too.

It is, basically, coming from a bunch of health nuts, this stuff surprises me. Then it was, "perhaps they don't KNOW."

[sadkitty]

Originally Posted by Amris

It is, basically, coming from a bunch of health nuts, this stuff surprises me. Then it was, "perhaps they don't KNOW."

Or perhaps we take calculated risks so as not to deny ourselves pleasure. Or maybe just to stay awake.

[stacyann21]

I drink a few beers a week. I have only felt intoxicated maybe once since ds's birth. I've never noticed any effect on him. I do think it lowers my supply a little though.

[homemademomma]

Originally Posted by LauraBlock

I have one dark beer many days, with dinner or other food, to help boost milk production. I'm careful to make sure it doesn't go to my head, and I pump just before I drink it. Baby boy has never shown any reaction to those evening bottles versus the morning ones.

why do you pump before you drink?

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Amris

Every bodybuilder who is at all serious about the sport knows full well the detrimental effects of drinking.

Yeah, 'cause comparing one drink a day to a sport riddled with drug abuse makes sense. : LOL. Geeze, talk about grasping at straws! I don't think "body building" is a healthy sport. Period. Being physically fit and enjoying exercise is healthy, however, reducing fat and building excessive muscle to the point of putting strain on your frame while practicing extremely unhealthy dietary practices is NOT healthy.

Me, though, I'd rather not pass those detrimental effects of dehydration, insulin response, altered perception, etc. on to my child.

I would like to read the research you are basing this comment on, because to the best of my research, ONE glass of wine does not do to this your child. Especially when timed right. At least that is according to LLL and the likes.

Nor do I find the decreased energy, dehydration, increased fat, and altered perceptions to be either fun

You keep referring to the symptoms of being drunk. I don't like be "drunk" either. I have yet to experience those symptoms when I have a glass of wine with dinner.

I feel far better leading a healthy lifestyle than I feel for the short time that my perception is altered by alcohol.

Again, another symptom of being drunk. Who here, besides you, is talking about getting drunk every night? :