Ask A NurseCategory: BreastfeedingWill having just a little alcohol during breastfeeding make my baby sleepy? My friends have encouraged me to have just a little alcohol while nursing—will that work?
Anonymous asked 5 years ago

Will having just a little alcohol during breastfeeding make my baby sleepy? My friends have encouraged me to have just a little alcohol while nursing—will that work?

1 Answers
Elika Roohi Staff answered 5 years ago

As far as sleep, your baby may snooze sooner after nursing if you’ve been drinking, but not longer. In a study among nursing mothers, babies exposed to alcohol in breast milk had shorter sleep periods by as much as 25%! And mom’s sleep was affected too, including less time spent in important REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, a critical sleep period that helps you manage your moods and stress. That glass of wine you thought would relax both of you just might have the opposite effect the next day! We’re busting more myths of breastfeeding and alcohol online.