I\'m Summer, a mouthy, sarcastic bitch. I\'m passionate about natural birth, long term breastfeeding, and living naturally. I curse too much, love tattoos, and will some day be crushed to death by my book collection. I homeschool, dream of gardening, and swing to the left. 
Booze And Boobs
photo credit: Mr. T in DC
Try to stay calm here, I’m about to drop a bomb: I drink.
I know, right. Not only am I part of the epidemic of mothers acting like real people rather than fictional TV mothers, but I’m also part of the dangerous tribe of mothers who don’t let breastfeeding keep them from life.
Yes, I’ve been known to have a drink or two since after my first was born. And with permission. My midwife was very clear that the real danger was from being too drunk to care for the baby, and that’s true whether you breast feed or formula feed. Unless you’re a raging alcoholic or getting completely shitfaced drunk the risk of alcohol getting to the baby is little to none. And in both those cases it’s more dangerous still that mom is that condition than that she’s breastfeeding.
Or as Annie points out:
“Maternal blood alcohol levels must attain 300 mg/dl before significant side effects are reported in the infant. ” That number didn’t really mean anything to me, so I looked it up and it turns out that those types of alcohol levels would only be found in chronic alcoholics or someone that has been drinking straight for several days
So a mom got arrested for drinking and nursing. Was she drunk? Well, we don’t know. No blood alcohol test was done. But the “OMG boobs!” test was given, and failed.
It is quite unusual for a mother to be breast-feeding her child as we are conducting an investigation, whether she was intoxicated or not.
Yes, being drunk and caring for a child is stupid and dangerous. But that’s true no matter what. Even if your kid is 6 and can get their food out of the fridge, getting hammered with no sober adult to care for your child is negligent. Enjoying a beer or two after dinner, not so much. Yes, even when breastfeeding.
Cheers! Enjoy a drink or two. You do not need to be a martyr in order to be a breastfeeding mom.
Amen and pass the wine!
I think healthy use is fine. Bah on anyone who says otherwise. Anyone heard of “all things in moderation?” perhaps…
I’ve never had a drink in my life and even I know that having a drink as a nursing mother is fine as long as you follow the basic guidelines.
I’m so furious that this case made national news–because we all know what it was really about: A battered woman nursed her SIX WEEK OLD BABY (who was probably going through a growth spurt) while the police talked to her.
And the police need to grow a pair and act like reasonable humans, not dicks-with-a-hangup-and-a-badge.
Azucar\´s last blog post..Niçoise and The Other Inhabitants
I’m with you on this one. I’ve been told the same by my midwives. I’ve been given flack for it but it doesn’t stop me from having alcohol. Cheers!
Leslie-@LaMamaNaturale\´s last blog post..A Local Article: BYOB!!!
AMEN.
I have been breastfeeding straight, five kids, and still am–since 1997. Ive had my share of alcohol! It is all about shaming and blaming mothers for the crime of being a person.
housefairy\´s last blog post..
Well, I would like to be a part of the epidemic you describe AND join the dangerous tribe while I am at it!
One of these days some one is going to snap a photo of me drinking a beer while breastfeeding and I sure as hecks will post it, though the grandparents are sure to give me flack, LOL!