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Good question! And one that
will generate a lot of different opinions--some backed by research, some
not. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), alcohol
consumption is compatible with breastfeeding, although large quantities can
cause side effects in the infant. According to La Leche League
International's Breastfeeding
Answer Book (1997, page 509), "An occasional drink or regular light
drinking (one or fewer drinks per day) has not been found to be harmful to
the nursing baby."
Alcohol is eliminated
fairly quickly from a mom's body (and thus her milk). Again from the
Breastfeeding Answer Book:
"It takes a 120 pound
woman about two to three hours to eliminate from her body the alcohol
in one serving of beer or wine (Schulte 1995). However, the more
alcohol that is consumed, the longer it takes for it to be eliminated.
It takes up to 13 hours for a 120 pound woman to eliminate the alcohol
from one high-alcohol drink. The effects of alcohol on the
breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother
consumes."
The book goes on to
caution that moderate to heavy drinking (2 or more drinks per day) can
interfere with a mother's letdown reflex, and also with her baby's
physical and cognitive development. This, of course, is way beyond that
champagne toast you are refering to!
If you are still
concerned, you could request sparkling fruit juice as a substitute for
the champagne.
Hope this helps!
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