New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition

NJBFC is dedicated to promoting, protecting and supporting all families on their breastfeeding journey.

Handouts and links

Handouts Created by NJBC

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All of our information sheets may be copied and distributed, in their original format, without further permission on the condition that it is not used in ANY context that violates the WHO International Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (1981) and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions.
 The Monmouth/Ocean Breastfeeding Coalition’s, Breastfeeding Getting Started Guide:
  • ENGLISH, click HERE
  • ARABIC, click HERE *
  • FRENCH, click HERE *
  • HINDI, click HERE *
  • SPANISH, click HERE
  • PORTUGUESE, click HERE
  • RUSSIAN, click HERE
  • VIETNAMESE, click HERE
  • MANDARIN CHINESE, click HERE
  • HAITIAN CREOLE, click HERE

* Translations services supported by a grant from the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC)

Find local support

General

Pumping

  • Policy brief: Supporting Breastfeeding in the Workplace
    https://www.asphn.org/resource_files/657/657_resource_file2.pdf
  • Employer Lactation Toolkit – For Employers
    http://www.familiesandwork.org/employer-lactation-toolkit-for-employers/
  • Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding
    http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/breastfeeding/calltoactiontosupportbreastfeeding.pdf
  • National Business Group on Health: Toolkit for employers based on The Business Case for Breastfeeding.
    http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pub/f2ffe4f0-2354-d714-5136-79a21e9327ed
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: The Business Case for Breastfeeding
    https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-home-work-and-public/breastfeeding-and-going-back-work/business-case

Career-specific

Milk storage

Medications

Alcohol and substances

  • Alcohol
    • Per the CDC, “Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. However, moderate alcohol consumption, meaning up to one standard drink in a day, is not known to be harmful to the infant. To be safest, the mother can wait at least 2 hours after a single drink before nursing.”
    • Transfer to milk mirrors blood levels. The concentration of alcohol in breast milk parallels the level in the mother’s bloodstream. (Source: CDC)
    • Timing matters. Alcohol levels in breast milk tend to peak 30–60 minutes after drinking and decline over time. (Source: InfantRisk Center)
    • “Wait time” rule of thumb. A common rule is to wait about 2 hours after one “standard drink” before breastfeeding again. (Source: InfantRisk Center)
    • Moderate vs heavy use. Occasional, moderate use (e.g. one standard drink) is generally not known to cause harm in healthy infants, whereas heavier or frequent drinking is associated with risks (sleep disruption, lower milk supply, developmental concerns) in some studies. (Source: CDC)
    • No “speed up” methods. Pumping or “dumping” breast milk after drinking does not speed removal of alcohol from milk; the only way to reduce alcohol is by time (i.e. waiting). (Source: UMass Memorial Health)
    • Infant metabolism is slower. Babies metabolize alcohol more slowly than adults, making even small exposures more concerning in younger infants. (Source: May et al., 2016)
    • Potential effects on infant. Some studies suggest that alcohol exposure via breast milk may affect infant sleep patterns, amount consumed, or behavior, though the evidence is mixed and not definitive at moderate levels. (Source: May et al., 2016)
    • Milk supply / let-down effects. Higher levels of alcohol intake may reduce milk ejection response (let-down) and lower milk output. (Source: LactNet)
    • Safety for the mother and infant care. Even moderate alcohol can impair judgment or alertness, so the mother’s ability to care safely for the baby is an important consideration. (Source: CDC)
  • Cannabis

Public breastfeeding

Transgender families

References

May, P. A., Hasken, J. M., Blankenship, J., Marais, A. S., Joubert, B., Cloete, M., de Vries, M. M., Barnard, R., Botha, I., Roux, S., Doms, C., Gossage, J. P., Kalberg, W. O., Buckley, D., Robinson, L. K., Adnams, C. M., Manning, M. A., Parry, C. D., Hoyme, H. E., Tabachnick, B., … Seedat, S. (2016). Breastfeeding and maternal alcohol use: Prevalence and effects on child outcomes and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 63, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.05.002

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Your membership will help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in New Jersey. To join the Coalition, please complete our membership form online. We are a non-profit and flourish on donations. Donations are encouraged but not required for membership. Want to be a member? Fill out the MEMBERSHIP FORM ONLINE. Thank you for your … Read More »

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Breastfeeding is Important

Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 2 years or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.

Medications and Breastfeeding

​Many breastfeeding women are wrongly advised to stop taking necessary medications or to discontinue nursing because of potential harmful effects on their infants. There are few medications that are “not safe” when breastfeeding. Ask your local lactation consultant then consult with your healthcare provider.

FIND HELP NOW

Getting off to a good start can help ensure your breastfeeding success. Find your local breastfeeding support services by visiting Zipmilk.org.

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