Ask A NurseCategory: BreastfeedingMy grandmother told me she always heard that drinking beer could actually increase the milk supply. Doesn’t that sound healthy for me and my baby?
Anonymous asked 5 years ago

My grandmother told me she always heard that drinking beer could actually increase the milk supply. Doesn’t that sound healthy for me and my baby?

1 Answers
Elika Roohi Staff answered 5 years ago

Sorry to disappoint you but research shows that alcohol actually decreases your milk supply. Breastfed babies in one study consumed about 20% less milk during the 3 to 4 hours after their mothers drank alcohol and it wasn’t because the quality—flavor and content—of the milk had changed or because the babies nursed for shorter periods. The babies got less milk because their moms made less milk after drinking alcohol.