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Related Experiment Videos

Alcohol in breast milk.

M E Lawton

    The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
    |February 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Alcohol rapidly enters breast milk, reaching levels similar to maternal blood. While elimination mirrors blood alcohol clearance, infant dilution significantly minimizes risks for most babies.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Human Physiology
    • Lactation Studies

    Background:

    • Alcohol consumption during lactation is a common concern for nursing mothers.
    • Understanding alcohol transfer into breast milk is crucial for infant safety.
    • Previous research has indicated alcohol presence in breast milk, but detailed kinetics are essential.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantify alcohol levels in breast milk (fore-milk and hind-milk) and maternal blood after alcohol ingestion.
    • To determine the relationship between alcohol elimination from milk and blood.
    • To assess the potential risk to infants based on resultant blood alcohol levels.

    Main Methods:

    • Eight nursing mothers ingested alcohol.
    • Breast milk (fore-milk and hind-milk) and blood samples were collected at fixed intervals.

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  • Alcohol concentrations in both milk and blood samples were measured and compared.

    • Main Results:

    • Alcohol rapidly transferred into both fore-milk and hind-milk, with levels often matching or exceeding maternal blood alcohol concentrations.
    • Alcohol elimination from breast milk closely correlated with its clearance from maternal blood.
    • Breastfeeding did not significantly affect the rate of alcohol elimination from milk.
    • Infant blood alcohol levels were found to be very low due to physiological dilution, except in extreme maternal consumption scenarios.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol readily passes into breast milk following maternal ingestion.
    • The elimination kinetics of alcohol in breast milk are directly linked to maternal blood alcohol clearance.
    • While alcohol is present in breast milk, the infant's body water significantly dilutes it, generally resulting in low blood alcohol levels and minimal risk.