About

For nursing mothers, the decision to consume alcohol often comes with anxiety and confusion regarding infant safety. The old adage "pump and dump" is frequently misunderstood; pumping does not accelerate the elimination of alcohol from the bloodstream or breast milk. Alcohol leaves breast milk at the same rate it leaves the blood - through metabolic processing by the liver.

This tool is designed to provide a conservative estimate of the time required for alcohol to completely clear your system. Unlike standard BAC calculators, this algorithm incorporates a safety buffer to account for individual metabolic variations, hydration levels, and fatigue. It is essential for ensuring that zero traces of alcohol remain before the next feeding, prioritizing the neurodevelopmental health of the infant.

Formulas

The calculation is based on the Widmark kinetic model, adapted for lactating women with an additional safety coefficient.

Time = AW × r × β + Buffer

Where A is the mass of pure alcohol in grams, W is body weight, r is the Widmark factor (distribution ratio for women), and β is the metabolic elimination rate.

Reference Data

Beverage Type	Standard Serving	Alcohol (ABV)	Clearance Time (130 lbs)	Clearance Time (160 lbs)
Light Beer	12 oz (355 ml)	4.2%	2h 15m	1h 50m
Standard Beer	12 oz (355 ml)	5.0%	2h 40m	2h 10m
Craft IPA	12 oz (355 ml)	7.0%	3h 45m	3h 05m
White Wine	5 oz (148 ml)	12.0%	2h 35m	2h 05m
Red Wine	5 oz (148 ml)	14.0%	3h 00m	2h 30m
Champagne	5 oz (148 ml)	12.5%	2h 40m	2h 10m
Hard Liquor (Shot)	1.5 oz (44 ml)	40.0%	2h 35m	2h 05m
Cocktail (Martini)	2.5 oz (74 ml)	35.0%	4h 30m	3h 40m
Long Island Iced Tea	8 oz (236 ml)	22.0%	5h 45m	4h 45m

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Pumping removes the milk currently in the breast, but if your blood alcohol level is still elevated, the new milk produced will also contain alcohol. Alcohol diffuses freely between blood and milk. Pumping is only useful for relieving engorgement or maintaining supply, not for sobering up the milk.

Metabolism varies significantly based on genetics, food intake, and liver function. This calculator uses a conservative elimination rate (typically slower than average) to provide a safety margin. Always wait the full estimated time, and if you feel any effects of alcohol, do not feed.

Breast milk alcohol test strips can be a useful secondary verification, but they can sometimes be difficult to read or give false positives/negatives depending on storage. Relying on time is generally the gold standard for safety.

Yes. Food slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which lowers the peak Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). However, it does not significantly increase the rate at which the liver eliminates alcohol once it is in the blood.

Most medical guidelines suggest waiting at least 2 hours after a single standard drink before nursing. This ensures the alcohol has peaked and cleared sufficiently. This tool helps calculate that specific window based on your body weight.