Controversial Test for Alcohol in Breast Milk
December 30, 2006 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breast milk, breastfeeding basics, medication, products
Can a nursing mother enjoy an alcoholic beverage to toast the New Year? If she has consumed a significant amount of alcohol, must she “pump and dump”? Is the new “Milkscreen” test for alcohol in breast milk a valuable tool for nursing mothers or a waste of money?
(Photo shown with permission by Larar)
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: 7th Revised Edition states:
The effects of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother ingests. When the breastfeeding mother drinks occasionally or limits her consumption to one drink or less per day, the amount of alcohol her baby receives has not been proven to be harmful. If you enjoy an occasional glass of wine in the evening, or a cold beer on a hot summer day, there’s no reason to deprive yourself of this because you are breastfeeding.
p. 328. So, if a nursing mother sips a glass of champagne for a New Year’s toast, she need not worry about the level of alcohol in her breast milk.
But what if a mother consumes more than one drink–does she need to “pump and dump”? No, she simply needs to wait the requisite amount of time after drinking before nursing her baby (of course, if the mother begins to feel overly full or engorged during that time, by all means she should pump for her comfort). A mother does not need to pump to remove her milk, nor does pumping out the milk affect the rate at which alcohol leaves the mother’s system. The level of alcohol in the milk is the same as the mother’s blood alcohol level (you know, the one used to assess drunk driving). In Medications and Mothers’ Milk Thomas W. Hale, Ph.D. notes:
Adult metabolism of alcohol is approximately 1 oz in 3 hours, so mothers who ingest alcohol in moderate amounts can generally return to breastfeeding as soon as they feel neurologically normal.
p. 323. For more information, see this discussion.
Of course, some mothers may wish to abstain from drinking any alcohol while breastfeeding, or may wish to know that any alcohol has left their system entirely before breastfeeding again. That’s where the new Milkscreen test comes in. It’s a two-minute test for the detection of alcohol in breast milk. The nursing mother saturates a reactive pad with her milk, waits two minutes, and looks for a color change indicative of the presence of alcohol in the milk. The company sells the tests for $19.95 for a box of six test strips. It’s also available through other retailers.
What is controversial about the test? The worry is that the existence of this test might scare mothers into thinking that they should not enjoy an occasional drink while nursing (and that in turn might cause them to decide to wean). I think the test is fine for nursing mothers who would like that peace of mind before breastfeeding again. I do not think the test is generally necessary. Of course if a mother feels impaired, she should not breastfeed. If she does not feel impaired and she has waited 2-3 hours per drink consumed, she can rest assured that it is safe to nurse again.
Something about that test bothered me too, and I also blogged about it a few months ago. There are just too many products coming out that breastfeeding Moms “need”…
I agree – I can’t think of many products breastfeeding moms “need” — that’s the beauty of breastfeeding!
I’ve had a glass of wine before going to bed (after baby’s asleep) but I’d like to have a few beers – maybe two to three one night (if I can even have that many anymore!) I think these are just good reassurance that the milks ‘free and clear’ – I think I’m going to try em’ out -
To all those commenter who have raised intelligent children on bottled milk: well done. You should be proud of your efforts to set your children on a productive life.
However, the findings in this research are general trends. Anecdotal evidence from a few people does not disprove- or even prove- a scientific study. Your children may have been even more intelligent than they are now if you had breast fed them, but hey, who knows?
v r running an Institute for Lacto immunology ,and analysing the containts and the deficiencies of breast milk
may i pls request your advises
Zh
I think these breast strips are a wonderful idea. As a breastfeeding mother I enjoy the occasional drink. These strips are a relief for a paranoid mother like myself who simply wants the best for my children. Who ever suggests that these may discourage nursing and encourage weening is ridiculous. If a mother consumes so much alcohol and so frequently that these strips have an effect on how much she actually nurses her child then it’s most likely in the childs best interest to be formula fed. A mother does what is instinctively and intuitively best for her child based on an informed opinion. It’s not controversial to offer a test for alchol in breast milk. Sheesh!! Sensational.
Mindy, as a happy user of the test you might not think it’s controversial, but many lactation professionals do because it potentially sends the wrong message. If you have not taken this quiz about breastfeeding and alcohol, you might find it surprising:
http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/take-the-alcohol-and-breastfeeding-quiz/