Beer contains a polysaccharide from barley which can stimulate prolactin secretion and may enhance the production of milk. The polysaccharide is also found in non-alcoholic beer, and the effect on prolactin can also be induced by non-alcoholic beer [1, 2].

The component in beer responsible for the effect on prolactin secretion is not the alcohol content. In fact excessive alcohol consumption can decrease milk ejection [3]. Studies have also shown reduced breast milk intake by infants after moderate alcohol consumption of their mothers [4,5].

SEE ALSO Alcohol and Breastfeeding

REFERENCES

1. Koletzko B and Lehner F. Beer and breastfeeding. Adv Exp Med Biol.2000;478:23-8.PUBMED
2. Mennella JA and Beauchamp GK.Beer, breast feeding, and folklore.. Dev Psychobiol. 1993;26(8):459-66.PUBMED
3. Cobo E.Effect of different doses of ethanol on the milk-ejecting reflex in lactating women . J Obstet Gynecol 1973; 15;115:817-21. PUBMED
4. Mennella JA. Regulation of milk intake after exposure to alcohol in mothers' milk. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2001;25(4):590-3. PUBMED
5. Mennella JA, Beauchamp GK. The transfer of alcohol to human milk. Effects on flavor and the infant’s behavior. N Engl J Med 1991;325:981-5. PUBMED
 

Created: 10/1/2005