The Breast Milk Cocktail
(washingtonpost.com)
By Elizabeth Agnvall
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, March 18, 2003; Page HE01

"...From doctors to parenting magazines to books to the buzz around the block, there seemed to be no consensus about the effects of alcohol and caffeine that babies might receive through breast milk. It was another example of the sort of medical advice about which experts are deeply divided, yet none seem able to justify except by the sort of anecdotal observation that they reject from others.

Determined to get to the bottom of the issue, I set out to delve into the scientific studies, find the best researchers and seek the answers so many breast-feeding moms want: Can we have our morning cup of coffee? Can we have an occasional glass of wine?" [The writer talks to a lot of experts and despite lots of evidence that it's ok to drink alcohol or coffee in moderation, she concludes that her pediatrician is right with rule number one, "Do No Harm." Too bad pediatricians everywhere aren't as cautious about the use of infant formula... - JC]