Alcohol Doesn't Increase Breast Milk

Yasmine Sami

Health

17th January 2021

Breastfeeding and alcohol do not work together(Getty).

The Claim

Drinking beer increases a breastfeeding mom's milk supply.

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Breastfeeding provides natural food for a newborn, and it contains all the nutrients that your baby needs. There are many foods and drinks that affect milk, whether positive or negative. One of the drinks that affect milk and the baby's health is alcohol.

Mothers have beliefs that beers can raise the level of prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production. However, since beer contains barley and hops, the reason some women report an increase in their supply of breast milk after drinking beer is most likely a result of the two known milk-making (lactogenic) items.

The alcohol in beers and wine can potentially make you feel a little relaxed and, therefore, aid in the let-down of your breast milk.

Some social media users denied this claim.

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Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation found that babies who are breastfed and exposed to one drink a day may have impaired motor development, and that alcohol can cause changes in sleep patterns. Also, while popular sayings state that drinking alcohol improves the production of milk, studies show that alcohol in fact reduces milk production and that the presence of alcohol in breast milk causes the baby to consume 20% less breast milk.

It is worth noting that alcohol does not increase milk production, as is rumored for some.

Breastfeeding and alcohol do not work together. No level of alcohol in breast milk is considered acceptable for your baby's safety.

Alcohol can inhibit milk production. This may explain why babies have been found to drink significantly less milk in the four hours after their mom drinks a beer.

Alcohol passes through your breast milk to your baby, so the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.