Paediatricians warn alcohol reduces breast milk production

Child health experts are urging breastfeeding mothers to avoid alcohol consumption, warning that it can reduce breast milk production and the volume of milk an infant receives. Experts note that alcohol can pass into breast milk, potentially exposing infants to the substance and affecting their developing nervous systems.

Medical professionals state that alcohol may interfere with the milk-ejection reflex and reduce an infant’s appetite for breast milk, thereby limiting essential nutrients required for optimal growth. This guidance aligns with World Health Organization recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.

In Nigeria, the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey indicates that 7.1 per cent of women aged 15–49 consumed alcohol in the month preceding the survey. The health concerns are highlighted by the fact that only 29 per cent of infants under six months in Nigeria are exclusively breastfed. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed breastfeeding as a public health priority.