Guideline 4: Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Maternal alcohol consumption can harm the developing fetus or breastfeeding baby.

a. For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option.

b. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.

This guideline applies to women who are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. It is based on an assessment of the evidence concerning potential harms of alcohol for the developing fetus and for young babies during the breastfeeding period. Apart from adverse pregnancy outcomes, harms to the mother from alcohol consumption during pregnancy are not discussed as the available evidence is limited.

As the risks from maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy and during lactation differ, these are considered separately.

To read the complete guidelines click here

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/_files/ds10-alcohol.pdf

Further Advice for breastfeeding mothers

Australian & International Guidelines suggest breastfeeding for the first six months is best for baby.

Equivalent concentrations of alcohol to that found in the mother’s bloodstream will also be found in her breastmilk.

The Australian Guidelines suggest:

• Not drinking alcohol is the safest option
• Women should avoid alcohol in the first month after delivery until breasfeeding is well established
• After that:
  • alcohol intake should be limited to no more than two standard drinks a day
  • women should avoid drinking alcohol immediately before breastfeeding
  • women who wish to drink alcohol could consider expressing milk in advance
    

Alcohol Breastmilk Calculator

Click here
http://www.camh.net/Publications/Resources_for_Professionals/Pregnancy_Lactation/alcohol_algorithm.pdf

Australian Distributors for Breastmilk Testing Kits:

Click here