A nursing mother who has an alcoholic drink secretes alcohol into her milk for two to three hours afterward. Thus, feeding her child during this time will expose the child to alcohol. Alcohol also will decrease her oxytocin production. How will a decrease in this hormone affect the woman's ability to breast-feed?

Oxytocin and alcohol

Explanation:

Oxytocin helps to relax the muscles of the breasts and induce lactation in a breastfeeding mother. This hormone is commonly called the cuddle hormone since it helps to create the social and emotional bond between the child and the mother.

Alcohol clearly inhibits the secretion of oxytocin and breastfeeding immediately after alcohol consumption can reduce lactation and milk intake by the child. Maintaining an interval after an alcoholic drink again leads to delayed breastfeeding. Intoxicating levels of alcohol in breast milk can affect the child’s health.