I’ve reported how vital breast milk is for the development of our newborns. And, how that also keeps the costs of newborns just a little lower- with the need for diapers (almost always disposables), cleaning supplies, clothing, etc. At least for the first six months, the family food bills won’t be increasing.
But, that doesn’t mean I advocate the pumping of breast milk. Ok. I do. But, not for all the meals. For maybe one or two a day- so that dad gets a chance to bond with baby (and that’s part of the other benefit of breast feeding one’s child- the closeness that develops between baby and parent, the recognition of pheromones by the baby to augment the bonding, etc.)
And, if you do pump (mothers, that is), you must recognize the friability of the produced milk. How long you save it has a definite effect on the nutritional value of the product. Moreover, breastfeeding one’s baby means you need to watch your alcoholic intake. (I am not even going to discuss the stupidity of taking drugs – at any time, least of all when breastfeeding one’s child.) Basically, the rule is that one glass of alcohol is probably ok- but there needs to be a two or more hour lag between breast feeding and the ingestion of alcohol.
However, there is no need to use services such as those offered by MyMilk Laboratories, Ltd or Happy Vitals (even though I love when Israeli and American (DC) companies [respectively] increase their revenue). [You probably noticed that I did NOT include a link to their sites. Because they are unnecessary.] These services also cost a pretty penny- ranging from some $ 150 for a basic screen to some $ 325 for a 15 component scan (including for the presence of the stress hormone cortisol, which is considered a problem for babies if present in the milk.)
If you are really worried about the quality of your milk, eat a balanced diet. Eat healthily. Avoid alcohol. If your diet is vegan, you probably should be adding Vitamin B12 components or find foods that have been fortified with the vitamin already, since that is one of the drawbacks to your diet, when you are responsible for your baby’s nutrition, as well as you own. (Most physicians recommend Vitamin D supplements directly to the infant, since there generally is insufficient presence of the vitamin in breast milk to fully support your baby’s health.)
And, while I am against these above-mentioned new commercial testing concepts, it may be useful to obtain Milkscreen test strips (UpSpring), if you do drink alcohol. Mostly because that two hour rule of thumb I provided may not work for you- you may metabolize your alcohol more slowly. Using these strips could be helpful; they change colors as the alcohol level in your breast milk rises. And if you think 0.08% makes you an impaired driver, consider those effects on the much small tyke you are feeding!
This is an interesting stance on the whole thing.
Thanks, Nick!
Long time, no see!!!!
Fascinating article. You raise some excellent points – and yes, if you’re nursing a newborn, it’s best not to be drinking at all… The wine or beer will still be there when jr. is a bit older.
Ruthanne recently posted..Top Earners’ 10 Steps from Eric Worre
I’m with you 100% on that Ruthanne. Exactly how I just answered Emma!
Thanks for the visit AND the comment.
One of my friends is a committed breastfeeding advocate. I read something I think she posted recently about very little alcohol actually passing on and it needing to be less time between drinks and feeding than had been advised. But as you say best to err on the side of caution.
Emma recently posted..Reading Down My TBR Pile (2016 Edition) – Week One
Very little, Emma?
Consider this. The volume of distribution in an adult. The volume of distribution in an infant. The growing rate for an infant. The growing rate for an adult.
Now, if you have 0.04% alcohol of which 0.01% is in your breastmilk (these are hypotheticals, but I am using your concept here), what do you think the 0.01% will do for the child?
That’s the problem. Why not just do everyone (ok, your child) a favor and wait two hours?????
Thanks for the visit and the comment, Emma.
Oh. My Former SO was (and still is, she just isn’t my SO) a lactation specialist. But, this is from medical knowledge and the studies I perform.
By very little it was basically indetectable – I can’t find the article she posted now but that’s what I meant.
Emma recently posted..Snapshot
Ok. Thanks SO much for checking, Emma.
Great post thanks for sharing, great points made 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer- for the visit and the approval!
I’m honored.
I love how you mention the father feeding babe a bottle of pumped milk being a bonding time. This is the only reason why I pump for my guy. I pump at night when husband is home (except before bedtime), and it gives us just enough to store for the next afternoon. I think it’s very important for the father to have the feeding bonding time with babe as well!
First, I’m sorry this took so long- but I found you hidden in the spam folder.
I’m with you, Hannah! My ex did the same- because I’m a night owl- and she could get a great night’s sleep. And, I got to bond with my kids!
Keep up the great work- and enjoy some sleep!