Geraldine Miskin is a leading authority on breastfeeding. She has over ten years experience, including working on Harley Street. Geraldine’s aim is to empower mums with practical advice, and she has launched www.letsbreastfeed.com which is packed full of helpful information. Here she gives us advice on breastfeeding over the party season.
It’s time to be Merry!
You have had a really exciting year and are enjoying your new arrival but as Christmas and New Year approach you begin to wonder – will you be able to enjoy a glass of wine without jeopardising your breastfeeding?
The answer is yes. Many mums find that after a nine month period without any alcohol, one glass of wine will do them for an entire evening! However, if you do not want to risk unsettling your baby here are a few practical tips to help you maintain a healthy balance over the festive season. Like with most things preparation is key...
Practice bottle feeding before the big day
When you first start breastfeeding, you are warned against any form of bottle feeding. However, once your baby is older than 10 days; is breastfeeding well without causing you any pain or discomfort and is gaining weight, the chances of nipple teat confusion are quite slim. Some babies will happily move between bottle and breast when they are a little older, but it is always better to be sure that you are not going to be met with resistance.
Create a milk bank
If you are planning a large family get together, there is a chance that you may want more than one glass of wine so having a back up of expressed breast milk will take the pressure off you.
Plan your first glass of wine carefully
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics on Drugs alcohol is compatible with breastfeeding in small doses. Large amounts of alcohol are harmful to baby as alcohol passes through the breast milk freely.
Taking this into account, I usually advise my clients that the first glass of wine is free. Alcohol levels will take longer to peak in the breast milk if enjoyed with a meal (after 90 minutes) and will peak sooner if enjoyed on its own (after 60 minutes). If you are careful and have some water and leave a reasonable amount of time between the first and second glass of wine, the second glass could be free as well.
After the second glass of wine, you need to pump and dump the number of feeds that correlates to the number of glasses of wine you have had. So, if you have three glasses, you need to pump and dump one feed and offer baby expressed milk you prepared earlier. If you have four glasses of wine, you will need to pump and dump two breastfeeds and replace with two bottles of expressed breast milk and so on.
It is important to mention that drinking excessively whilst breastfeeding is not a good idea. A couple of drinks over the festive season should be fine but don’t overdo it, as you can guarantee your baby will still be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning regardless of how you are feeling.
Geraldine has imparted her knowledge in to a series of e-books. The Beginners Guide to Breastfeeding e-book is available to buy for £27.00, she has also written e-books on mastitis, sore nipples, low milk supply and expressing for £17.00. All can be purchased from www.letsbreastfeed.com.
