Mother Charged for Breastfeeding Drunk

A 26-year-old mother was just charged for breastfeeding her 6-week-old baby while severely intoxicated this past February. Stacey Anvarinia, the mother, was definitely intoxicated when police arrived at her home for a domestic situation, but what they surprised them was the fact she was breastfeeding her newborn in that state of mind.

IMG: Sxc.hu

Even the La Leche League states that you should NOT breastfeed your baby while intoxicated and that you should wait until you are sober. Currently it is unknown what her blood alcohol level was and even if she was drunk. The assistant state’s attorney, Carmel Mattison has stated this will be the first time they’ve accused any mother of breast-feeding while drunk.

A lactation consultant in Altru had this to say:

“No matter how little you drink, you are potentially exposing your baby to alcohol. You need to make that decision for yourself.” – Dee Grabanski

According to the La Leche League FAQ:

Mothers who are intoxicated should not breastfeed until they are completely sober, at which time most of the alcohol will have left the mother’s blood. Drinking to the point of intoxication, or binge drinking, by breastfeeding mothers has not been adequately studied. Since all of the risks are not understood, drinking to the point of intoxication is not advised.