Case Report of Changes in Breastfeeding and Alcohol Consumption During the First 6 Months

This longitudinal case report describes a mother-infant dyad, focusing on how early pacifier use, scheduled feeding, and postpartum alcohol resumption affected breastfeeding behavior and infant growth. Pacifier use and scheduled feeding decreased breast stimulation and suckling frequency. Alcohol resumption at 3 weeks, initiation of pumping at 7 weeks, and increased consumption, coinciding with menses, likely accelerated an existing decline in milk supply and suboptimal infant weight gain. These challenges required formula supplementation and metoclopramide. Alcohol use paused at 17 weeks during a transition to mixed feeding but resumed at 24 weeks. This case illustrates how reduced suckling and alcohol-induced inhibition of the milk ejection reflex contributed to low milk supply. Nurses play a critical role in providing proactive education on these factors.