Nutrition for the Nursing Mother

The ingestion of alcoholic beverages should be minimized and limited to an occasional intake but no more than 2oz liquor, 8 oz wine, or 2 beers. Nursing should take place two hours after the alcohol intake to minimize its concentration in the milk. Maternal smoking is not an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding but should be strongly discouraged, because it is associated with an increased incidence in infant respitory allergy and SIDS. Smoking should not occur in the presence of the infant so as to minimize the negative effect of second hand smoke.

Illegal drugs pass through breast milk and are harmful to babies.

To be safe, check with your health care provider before taking any medication. Always remind health care providers, including dentists, that you are breastfeeding.