It will help your baby be well-fed, settled, and healthy – and will reduce the risk of some long-term health effects.
If you drink alcohol, it enters your breastmilk from your blood. While there is alcohol in your blood, it is also in your breastmilk.
Even small amounts of alcohol can disrupt your baby’s sleep and make feeding more difficult due to reductions in milk supply and the flow of milk.
Infant brains, which continue to develop after birth, are more vulnerable to alcohol than adult brains.
Exposure to alcohol through breastmilk has been linked to problems with infant growth, motor development, verbal IQ, and cognitive ability in early childhood.
It is important to avoid alcohol in the early weeks of breastfeeding to ensure your baby receives a good supply of milk and settles into a sleep-wake pattern.
Once breastfeeding is well established, you may continue to choose to remain alcohol-free for your baby’s health as their brain continues developing.
If you do drink alcohol, you can ensure your baby does not drink breastmilk containing alcohol by:
Jen found a range of enjoyable ways to stay healthy and active during her pregnancies with her sons. She also learned about the benefits of remaining alcohol-free during breastfeeding.
You can read more about alcohol and breastfeeding on our Every Moment Matters website.
More information
To find a local GP, you can call 1800 022 222 or visit healthdirect.gov.au. To find a local psychologist, visit psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist. If you need other support to reduce your drinking, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Will you join the community taking action on alcohol?
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2023 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2021 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
