(Article) Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding impacts health of newborns

A research team at the University of California, Riverside, performed a mouse study to find out. Led by Kelly Huffman, a professor of psychology, the team found that infants' exposure to alcohol through breastmilk can have long-lasting effects on their development

The researchers focused on lactational ethanol exposure, or LEE, and developed a novel postnatal alcohol exposure model in breastfeeding mice. Compared to controls, LEE mice had reduced body and brain weights, as well as decreased neocortical lengths at wean continuing through to early puberty (age P30). Brain weights were reduced in both ages for males, and at P20 for females; however, P30 female brain weights recovered to control levels.

"The reduced body weights in both males and females at P20 and P30 are reflected in human studies in which children exposed to ethanol through contaminated breast milk have lower body weights and growth trajectories," Huffman said. According to her, the reduction of body and brain weights may be explained by the gut's inability to efficiently extract nutrients when alcohol is ingested. A decrease in protein synthesis in the small intestine may block absorption of micro- and macronutrients.

"Thus, women should refrain from consuming alcohol during breastfeeding until more research can help recommend safe maternal practices in early infancy," she added.

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