No. Alcohol can inhibit milk production. This may explain why babies have been found to drink significantly less milk in the four hours after their mom drinks a beer.

And then there's the issue of exposing your baby to even a small amount of alcohol. Alcohol is present in breast milk at the same level as in the blood. And that level can continue to rise for 90 minutes after you have a drink. Even if you haven't had much to drink, your baby is so much smaller than you are that a little bit of alcohol for you is a lot for your baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that nursing moms avoid alcohol with the possible exception of the occasional small drink. The AAP also suggests waiting two hours to breastfeed after having a drink. (The alcohol will clear from your breast milk just as it clears from your bloodstream.)

If you're concerned about milk production, focus on eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet and breastfeeding regularly. If you're still having trouble, read our article on low milk production and consult your healthcare provider or a lactation expert before you pick up a six-pack.