How long before you...

[MrsBexie]

Hi ladies!

So on saturday night, our friends are having a big housewarming party and my DH told me I could drink if I wanted and he'd stay sober.
Now to do this I would need to make sure that I had enough milk expressed for that whole night and the first few morning feeds.

I still don't know if I want to drink and have him feed her etc cause I think I would still be really concerned like what if she needed me? What if she just wanted to comfort suck and I had a few drinks so she couldn't? What if he couldn't settle her etc?

But at the same time, it'd be lovely to finally have a couple of drinks with our friends considering how long it has been!!!

So, how long after your baby was born before you had a night out?
Was it a full blown night out or did you start with maybe 3-4 drinks (which may be a big night for me now!! Haha)
Did you feel a bit hesitant to do it?
How much milk should I have expressed for a 4.5 week old if I only had 3-4 drinks and how much would I need if I had a few more than that?
I want to make sure she would be ok and dh could settle her without my boobies!!

Appreciate the help!!!

[Laranna]

I guess it's what ever you feel comfortable with. Keep in mind you'll probably need to express while you are out as you'll feel very full, especially her being so young.

I haven't had a 'big' night out since before kids, just can't do in case something happened and they needed me. I only have one or two drinks with dinner now occasionally and I waited both times until they were around 10 months old and were going a bit longer between feeds, particularly when they started to stretch out their bedtime/10pm-midnight feed so I had a bigger gap there.

Go with your instincts either way I hope you have a nice night out

[MantaRay]

It's a very individual decision hun. This article might help you to decide - http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfin...lchohol_BF.pdf. I hope you have a great night!

[sconeonamission]

I haven't had a "big night" since before I was pregnant with DS. I did eventually have one or two drinks, but it wasn't at least until he was 1. That was just my personal choice though. It's funny, I don't like to drink now!

[helle]

I guess it's what ever you feel comfortable with. Keep in mind you'll probably need to express while you are out as you'll feel very full, especially her being so young.

I haven't had a 'big' night out since before kids, just can't do in case something happened and they needed me. I only have one or two drinks with dinner now occasionally and I waited both times until they were around 10 months old and were going a bit longer between feeds, particularly when they started to stretch out their bedtime/10pm-midnight feed so I had a bigger gap there.

Go with your instincts either way I hope you have a nice night out

:yeahthat: with the expressing while you're out.

I'm having my first big night on the 26th of feb.(but I'll probably chicken out... Haven't had a drink for over two years) DH is taking me to this camping cook off party thing. Will be interesting. DS is 13 months and staying with nan.

[HotI]

1 drink is a big night for me now!

[Manhattan]

1 drink is a big night for me now!

Lol, yeah that!

Havent really had anything other than low alcohol champers since DD was born. I have always been worried that she would need me, and also I have never wanted to feel like crap the next day and have to look after her.

It really is a personal choice, and when it comes down to it, you'll know what to do.

Whatever you decide, hope you have a great night, and enjoy yourself

[Aligater]

I went out when DD2 was about 2 months old and had EBM with me (that she wouldnt drink from me) I had 1 drink at about 7pm and that was all I felt comfortable with. She was back feeding for comfort by 1am (wouldnt take EBM)

[MrsBexie]

Yeah, I have no idea how I feel about this!!! In some ways I'd love to have a few drinks!! But at the same time I am so worried that Charlotte will need me or something that I wouldn't be able to have a good time either. And tbh I think I would feel really guilty...
I think I just answered my own questions! I might have one but I think that's all I am going to be able to do. My life is different now and I have her to look after and be responsible for.

Does it annoy anyone else that we are the ones who change everything for these babies?? I love her so very much but in a way I get frustrated that I can't just do whatever anymore, I mean I could choose to drink but then it's complicated and I'd worry and not have a good time etc and it is bad for Charlotte in the end cause she won't have me there to comfort her and what if she just wants to suck?, whereas DH will quite happily get drunk without thinking about it because he doesn't have to be there for charlotte.. . That annoys me. As a mother you give up everything, as a father you dont have to give up barely anything.

Oh well, not like I'd choose to be in a different situation anyways. I'd happily choose being a mother over all that stuff any day! It's just hard sometimes.

[aussienic]

I didn't have anything to drink really (apart from the occasional beer) until DD was over 1. I didn't express as I wasn't feeding her overnight

Alcohol goes out of your BM the same as it does for blood. although I did err on the side of caution and didn't feed her for 9-12 hours after, When you express while drinking you have to throw that milk out obviously. so you have to build up a supply in the fridge. My suggestion would be to look at formula tins.. Work out how much they recommend for a 4 week old and go on a little more then that. (eg they might say 5 bottles of 140ml try and get 6) kwim???

When I did drink with DD I always stopped drinking at midnight that way I was able to feed her around 9 the next morning but with a newborn that is different.

good luck and have fun (ps 1-2 drinks should be ok if you had them straight after you fed her and then you might not need to express more then say 1 bottle as a just incase)

[~Stoked~]

I went to a bonfire when DS was 7 months old. It was only a km down the road and my sister sat with him.
I had about 4 beers but I made sure I had 2 large glasses if water in between each beer. I didn't even feel tipsy! Lucky, as DS wouldn't drink anything from the bottles that my sister offered so I had to feed him when I got home anyway. I felt a bit guilty but figured as I had so much water to drink that I wouldn't have had much alcohol in my system anyway.

[OceanPrincess]

MrsB, I get exactly what you mean about giving up everything for these little tackers. DH always assumes that I'll be the designated driver, which annoys me for two reasons, one because he assumes it but two because he's always right. Grr to him!

I get my own back now though, and you will be able to do this too - smile sweetly and say "Sure honey, you can have a few drinks tonight and I'll drive home - but tomorrow morning youre getting up with our high energy toddler at 6am!"

And he does it too. But I tell ya - after a few mornings of dealing with our cyclonic DD - while nursing a hangover - he has decided it's not worth it!

[MrsBexie]

MrsB, I get exactly what you mean about giving up everything for these little tackers. DH always assumes that I'll be the designated driver, which annoys me for two reasons, one because he assumes it but two because he's always right. Grr to him!

I get my own back now though, and you will be able to do this too - smile sweetly and say "Sure honey, you can have a few drinks tonight and I'll drive home - but tomorrow morning youre getting up with our high energy toddler at 6am!"

And he does it too. But I tell ya - after a few mornings of dealing with our cyclonic DD - while nursing a hangover - he has decided it's not worth it!

I wish I could do that... But unfortunately when our DD wakes up screaming, he can't do a thing for her... Lol. Maybe I will make him change her n stuff and as soon as I am done BF, get him to spend the next 1/2-1hr settling her! Lol.