Frequently asked questions about alcohol and pregnancy

Alcohol is a toxin. When alcohol is consumed during pregnancy it crosses the placenta and interrupts the normal development of the baby’s brain and other organs.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the diagnostic term for the severe neurodevelopmental impairments that result from brain damage caused by alcohol exposure before birth.

In Australia, FASD is the most common preventable non-genetic cause of developmental disability, with estimates suggesting at least one child in every classroom has FASD.

The Australian Alcohol Guidelines state that ‘To prevent harm from alcohol to their unborn child, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.’

As there is usually a two-week window between ovulation and being able to confirm a pregnancy, it’s important that women don’t drink alcohol until they know whether they are pregnant or not.

No amount of alcohol at any time during pregnancy is guaranteed to be ‘safe’ or ‘risk free’ for the developing baby.

There is still a lot we don’t know about how alcohol affects sperm, so the safest option is for both parents to avoid alcohol when trying for a baby.

The brain continues to develop throughout pregnancy, so drinking alcohol at any time can damage different parts of the brain. Even low levels of alcohol can harm a developing baby, and there is no period of time that is considered a ‘safe time’ to drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Just one or two drinks can cause damage to a developing baby’s brain, however the more alcohol, and the more frequently alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, the higher the risk of FASD.

Alcohol crosses the placenta which means that the baby is exposed to the same blood level of alcohol as the mother. Because the liver is not fully formed the fetus cannot process the alcohol and may have the same blood alcohol content or higher than the mother and it remains at that level longer.

No. It doesn’t matter whether it’s champagne, wine, beer or spirits. What is measured is the amount of alcohol, not the type or amount of liquid. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol.

Speak to your GP, midwife, obstetrician or lactation consultant if you’re worried you have consumed alcohol while pregnant, are struggling to stop drinking whilst planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, or would like further information.

If you are concerned that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has occurred and need immediate support, please contact the NOFASD hotline on 1800 860 613.

Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has actually been shown to inhibit let-down and decrease milk production.

Alcohol inhibits let-down and can create stress for the mother and the baby if they can’t get enough milk.

Alcohol enters your breastmilk approximately 30 – 60 minutes after you start drinking, where it remains for several hours.

The general rule is that for every standard drink you have, you need to wait at least two hours before you can breastfeed again.

When you drink, the concentration of alcohol in your blood and breastmilk is the same. Therefore, exposure to alcohol through breastmilk can have serious implications for a baby, including affecting how their brain and spinal cord develops.

Experts recommend avoiding drinking for at least the first month after your baby is born so that you can establish a feeding pattern. If you then choose to drink while breastfeeding, there are a few steps that you can take to help ensure the safety of your baby and to protect your milk supply.

For starters, we recommend you download the Feedsafe app, which calculates when you can safely breastfeed according to your height and weight, plus the number of drinks you have had.

The general rule is to always breastfeed your baby before you drink, and to eat before and while drinking alcohol. You should also consider expressing in advance so that you have breastmilk to feed your baby while you are drinking alcohol, as you may need to express the milk that you’re not able to give to the baby to avoid your supply being affected.

If you have been drinking and still have alcohol in your system, no amount of pumping and dumping will clear the alcohol from your breastmilk. It is only once your bloodstream has cleared of alcohol that your breastmilk will be clear of alcohol.