I gots me a party to go to...

[kayjayday]

So I'm heading out for a night out with the girls and I was wondering what the effects are on breast milk from a smoky bar. I had a girlfriend who pumped and dumped when I saw her out. Now I plan on doing that, but is there lasting effects or something I should now about? What if I chose to have a cigarette, is that out of the question? Thanks for all the help and support, oh and please don't judge me, I'm just asking. Peace out.

[evin]

You definitely don't have to pump and dump.  Alcohol flows in and out of bm as it flows in and out of your blood.  Plus, your breastmilk will only contain about 2% of your blood alcohol level.  If you want to make sure you're free and clear, allow one hour for each beer or wine you have and about 90 minutes for each mixed drink.  A good rule of thumb is that if you're sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to breastfeed. For a full page o' info, see this page on Kellymom:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html

The nicotine from one cigarette is only halfway cleared from your system after 95 minutes, but the main risk to a baby from cigarettes is when they are exposed to the smoke itself.  Nicotine, while addictive, is not as harmful as the carcinogens from the smoke.  For more info, see this page at Kellymom:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/smoking.html

Have a really fun time at the party!

[billynalexmom]

A glass of beer or wine is not going to effect your mlk too much.  If you drink more than that I believe if you still feel the effect it cxan still effect your milk, however I could be wrong.  As for smokeing I don't knowthe answer

[ct_momma]

I agree, alow 1 hour for each drink you have to clear from your blood. Cigarettes do not effect your milk in any way. A couple of times I went out I pumped and dumped and I also breastfed and he's fine. I would just say use common sense, if you can't stand then you can't nurse!

[Merykk]

Quoting evin:

You definitely don't have to pump and dump. Alcohol flows in and out of bm as it flows in and out of your blood. Plus, your breastmilk will only contain about 2% of your blood alcohol level. If you want to make sure you're free and clear, allow one hour for each beer or wine you have and about 90 minutes for each mixed drink. A good rule of thumb is that if you're sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to breastfeed. For a full page o' info, see this page on Kellymom:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html

The nicotine from one cigarette is only halfway cleared from your system after 95 minutes, but the main risk to a baby from cigarettes is when they are exposed to the smoke itself. Nicotine, while addictive, is not as harmful as the carcinogens from the smoke. For more info, see this page at Kellymom:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/smoking.html

Have a really fun time at the party!

I've been told by all the doctors/nurses that I've discussed breastfeeding with that alcohol is a 100% deal. The same amount goes into your breastmilk as what you consume. Caffeine is something like 10%.

If you plan on drinking (which it didn't mention anything in your post about that), anything more than one drink I would pump and dump. I don't think one cigarette is going to hurt, though.

[iheartollie]

I really feel like pumping and dumping is unneccesary. I have heard it's more to relieve your discomfort than anything. I have had a couple drinks and had to feed my baby (he is almost a year) and have seen no ill effects. Same with the cigarette. I don't smoke, but have. I always figured that my breastmilk was still better with trace amounts of not good stuff than formula which is pretty much all crap. Not to say I am advising that, but just to let you know that more people do it than I think will admitt. Alright, let the bashing commence*blush*

[evin]

Quoting Merykk:


I've been told by all the doctors/nurses that I've discussed breastfeeding with that alcohol is a 100% deal. The same amount goes into your breastmilk as what you consume. Caffeine is something like 10%.

If you plan on drinking (which it didn't mention anything in your post about that), anything more than one drink I would pump and dump. I don't think one cigarette is going to hurt, though.

I've never heard this from anyone. However, you should do what you're comfortable with. Kellymom is a research-based website and La Leche League echoes the advice given there on this page:

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/alcohol.html

some quotes from that page are:

Quote:

Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does.

and

Quote:

The absolute amount of alcohol transferred into milk is generally low.

and

Quote:

Alcohol passes freely into mother's milk and has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, 60 to 90 minutes when taken with food.

Unfortunately, not all doctors are very well versed in the facts of breastfeeding. Although following your doctor's advice in this case would certainly not be harmful! :) And of course, the more you drink, the more alcohol will be filtered into your milk!

[gdiamante]

I'd consider the cigarette out of the question whether or not you're breastfeeding. Having lost both my parents to cancer, I'm adamant on that particular subject, and very glad that my state banned smoking in bars and restaurants.

You can have one drink and not pump and dump. You may also very well find that your tolerance for smoke and alcohol has virtually vanished...it's not uncommon when you haven't been exposed to either. My first half glass of chardonnay after pregnancy and breastfeeding actually left me too impaired to drive!

Be sure to have a designated driver. If you do have more than one drink, just pump and dump that night. You'll be fine by morning; alcohol metabolizes very quickly.

[raethemomma]

If you wanna drink and maybe smoke, which i do sometimes~ Go ahead. What I do is pump enough milk to get through half the next day. I havent ever noticed anything with my daughter that went wrong. I didnt pump and dump either, unless i was engourged.

[kayjayday]

Just to update everyone on my night out. Things were going ok except during the day I started feeling pain in my right breast. I ignored it until I got into a bar where there was a cover charge and I started feeling like i had the flu. That's right I try to got out and have fun and I get mastitis.  It came and went crazy fast. And I didn't have to use any antibiotics which I'm happy about. Thanks for everyone's advice. I love that I can get real answers from people, rather than the "just don't do it" answer so many people use. Thank you!

[kerbear84]

It's really up to you if you if you choose to have a cigarette... I avoid smokey bars because I can't stand cigarettes/cigarette smoke(that was ever before I was pregnant/breastfeeding too). But anyways...I think it is probably a good idea to "pump and dump", I have heard alcohol(which you didn't say anything about) and cigarettes go right into breastmilk. I guess if you wanted to smoke you can, it should be out of your milk by the time you are back with your child. Now I'm only a first-time mom and this is what I've heard. I've never been in that situation because there is no smoking in public places anymore here. I hope that helped...you shouldn't have a problem if you already planned to pump and dump. :)