Mom Shamed For Drinking Alcohol While Breastfeeding Opens Up To Try & Debunk The Stigma

Sep 12, 2023

A mother known for her fearless approach to feeding her children has sparked a debate online. Lauren McLeod, who also works as a doula in Perth, Australia, has been trying to address and dispel prevalent misconceptions about breastfeeding, including the consumption of alcohol.

McLeod has been sharing her thought-provoking input on Instagram, her chosen social media platform. Her posts, which are sometimes controversial for some of her followers, have ignited conversations about responsible parenting choices as well. 

In one image, posted in December 2022, Lauren could be seen breastfeeding her 2-year-old daughter, Tigerlily, while holding a glass of champagne. In the caption, she wrote in extensive detail what she had read online about alcohol and breastfeeding as guidance for breastfeeding moms who might want to enjoy a drink or two during the festive season.

Apparently, McLeod wanted to highlight a lesser-known fact in the world of parenting: that only a small percentage of the alcohol in a mother's bloodstream enters her breast milk, approximately 5% to 6%, per the National Library of Medicine.

Following her post, McLeod was accused of being “stupid” by a follower. Some of the moms also did not hold back and wrote in the comments that she was wrong to suggest this was safe to do, especially for a tiny baby.

The 29-year-old mom is not a stranger to the spotlight because of her candid and open discussions. In 2022, she also attracted controversy for admitting that she continued to breastfeed her son even though he was already 5 years old, per the New York Post.

McLeod was labeled an “abuser” by her followers, but she remained unbothered. She attributed the widespread misinformation and misunderstandings surrounding breastfeeding to the over-sexualization of women's breasts in modern times. 

"I think there is definitely misinformation about drinking while breastfeeding," Lauren said in an interview with News.com.au. "Many people probably assume that alcohol goes straight into breastmilk and will make the baby ‘drunk.’ Or they assume that a breastfeeding parent is going to get blind drunk and harm their child, which usually is absolutely not the case."

McLeod went on to explain that the real impact of consuming alcohol while breastfeeding isn't in the amount of alcohol that might go through the milk. Rather, it's the ability of the mother to look after her baby with utmost focus even while she's under the influence of alcohol. 

To ensure the safety of both mother and child, McLeod recommended having a "designated caregiver" or a babysitter if planning to consume more than one or two drinks. She also advises against sharing a bed with a child after consuming alcohol.

"A good rule of thumb when it comes to breastfeeding and alcohol is, if you can drive, you can breastfeed," she wrote. 

Amid her critics, McLeod received an outpouring of support from women who thanked her for raising awareness about the safety of moderate alcohol consumption while breastfeeding. She said that she has had "hundreds upon hundreds of comments and messages over the last couple of years" about this topic. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol levels in breast milk peak around 30-60 minutes after drinking. Traces of alcohol can generally be found in breast milk for approximately two to three hours per drink. Limited alcohol intake, which is approximately one standard drink, is generally considered safe for the infant, especially if the mother has her last sip of the drink at least two hours before breastfeeding. 

Do you agree with the mother's stand about alcohol consumption and breastfeeding? Do you have friends or family members who might want to read this article and get their input as well? Then tell them about this story!