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Breast Milk Alcohol Calculator

Estimate the time it takes for alcohol to clear from your bloodstream — and therefore your breast milk.

Recommendation

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC recommend avoiding alcohol while breastfeeding. If you do drink, wait until the alcohol has cleared before nursing — pumping does NOT speed up elimination.

Rule of thumb per standard drink (≈14 g alcohol)

DrinkClearance (60 kg / 130 lbs)
1 beer (12 oz, 5%)~2 hrs
1 glass wine (5 oz, 12%)~2 hrs 15 min
1 shot spirits (1.5 oz, 40%)~2 hrs
1 glass sparkling wine (100 ml)~1 hr 25 min

How it works

Alcohol passes freely between blood and breast milk — milk alcohol level mirrors blood alcohol level (BAC). The body eliminates alcohol at roughly 0.015% per hour. Calculation uses the Widmark formula: alcohol (g) / (body weight × 0.55).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does alcohol pass into breast milk?+
Yes. Alcohol passes freely into breast milk — the concentration mirrors blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Peak milk alcohol occurs 30–60 minutes after drinking.
Does pumping and dumping speed up alcohol clearance?+
No. Alcohol stays in the bloodstream until metabolized — fresh milk will still contain alcohol. Only time clears alcohol. Coffee, water, and exercise do not help.
How fast does the body eliminate alcohol?+
Roughly 0.015% BAC per hour. For one standard drink (14 g alcohol), a 60 kg / 130 lb woman needs about 2 hours. Larger amounts take proportionally longer.
Can I breastfeed after one glass of wine?+
After a 5 oz glass of wine (12%) for a 60 kg / 130 lb woman, wait roughly 2 hours. When in doubt, wait longer or feed previously pumped milk.
Is occasional alcohol safe for the baby?+
AAP and WHO recommend avoiding alcohol while breastfeeding. Some studies show negative effects on infant sleep. Occasional moderate drinking with adequate clearance time is generally considered acceptable.
How accurate is the calculation?+
The Widmark formula is medically established but estimates can vary ±20–30% based on individual factors — stomach contents, liver function, medications, body composition.

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Background

Breast Milk Alcohol: When Can I Breastfeed After Drinking?

7 min