After alcohol drinks how long until you can nurse your child?

The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding mothers avoid alcohol in any amount if they are breastfeeding as alcohol can transmit to breastmilk and potentially impact a nursing infant.

If a mother chooses to drink alcohol, the AAP provides the following guidelines to minimize their infant’s exposure:

* Wait at least 2 hours after 1 standard drink before breastfeeding.

* Wait 4 hours after 2 standard drinks before breastfeeding.

* Wait 6 hours after 3 or more standard drinks before breastfeeding.

It’s important to keep in mind that the amount of alcohol that can be safely consumed while breastfeeding is unknown and that even small amounts can have an effect on a nursing infant. Therefore, it is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to err on the side of caution and avoid alcohol or limit their alcohol consumption to occasional, low-risk situations while following the suggested guidelines to minimize infant exposure.