Can I drink alcohol while pregnant?
None is the safest amount. UK guidance says skip alcohol if you’re pregnant or could be. Drank a little before you knew? The risk is likely to be low, and one step matters most.
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Is any alcohol safe while pregnant?
No amount is known to be safe. NICE says there is no known safe level of alcohol in pregnancy.
Pregnant or think you could be? The UK’s chief medical officers say the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all. That keeps the risk to your baby as low as it can be.
| Your situation | The advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Trying for a baby | Don’t drink alcohol. A GP can help if you find it hard to stop. | NHS, CMOs |
| Pregnant, at any stage | Don’t drink alcohol at all. | CMOs, NICE |
| Drank before you knew | Stop now. The risk is likely to be low after small amounts. | CMOs |
| Breastfeeding | Not drinking is safest. An occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby. | NHS |
Sources: UK CMOs; NICE QS204; NHS: trying for a baby; NHS: breastfeeding
Why so strict? Studies on light drinking are hard to make sense of. The CMOs say the risks are probably low, but they can’t be sure it is completely safe.
Think of thin ice on a pond. It probably holds, but nobody can promise it will. So the safest choice is to stay off it.
Your next step: stop drinking alcohol from today.
I drank before I knew I was pregnant. What now?
The one step that matters most is to stop drinking now. The CMOs say you should avoid further drinking for the rest of the pregnancy.
Found out after a few drinks: what to do
- 1
Stop now
Avoid alcohol for the rest of your pregnancy.
- 2
Don’t panic
After small amounts, the risk is likely to be low.
- 3
Be honest
Your midwife should ask about alcohol. Tell them what you drank.
- 4
Ask if worried
Talk to your midwife or doctor about it.
Sources: UK CMOs; NICE QS204; NHS
The CMOs say that in most cases it is unlikely your baby has been affected. The NHS says you shouldn’t worry unnecessarily.
NICE says midwives should ask about alcohol in a sensitive, non-judgemental way, all through pregnancy. It’s there to offer support, not to tell you off.
Your next step: tell your midwife what you drank at your next appointment.
How does drinking while pregnant affect the baby?
Alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta to your baby. Your baby’s liver isn’t fully grown, so it can’t break the alcohol down.
The NHS says drinking in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, being born early and a low birthweight. The risk is likely to be greater the more you drink.
| Area | What it can cause |
|---|---|
| Learning | Problems with learning and behaviour. |
| Body | Problems with joints, bones, muscles and some organs. |
| Feelings and friends | Trouble managing emotions and building social skills. |
| Self-control | Being very restless and acting without thinking. |
| Talking | Problems with communication, such as speech. |
| Senses and movement | Problems with movement, balance, vision and hearing. |
Sources: NHS: drinking while pregnant; NHS: FASD
FASD lasts for life, though early support can help. The NHS says it is completely avoidable if you don’t drink while pregnant.
The risks of a small baby or an early birth may rise above 1 to 2 units a day. That is not a safe limit, and it’s less than it sounds.
A standard 175ml glass of wine is 2.1 units, and a pint of lower-strength lager is 2. See how alcohol units work.
How to stop drinking alcohol while pregnant
It may be easier than you think. The NHS says many women go off the taste of alcohol early in pregnancy.
Ways to stop drinking in pregnancy
- Stop drinking alcohol as soon as you know you’re pregnant, or when you start trying.
- Tell your midwife what you drink, so they can offer support if you want it.
- If you find it hard to stop, talk to a midwife, doctor or pharmacist.
- Call Drinkline free on 0300 123 1110, weekdays 9am to 8pm and weekends 11am to 4pm.
Sources: NHS: drinking while pregnant; NHS: FASD
Want a drink in your hand at a party? Sparkling water with fruit gives you the glass without the alcohol.
Some alcohol-free drinks still contain a little, so read why in our alcohol-free wine guide. See what changes when you give up alcohol.
Trying for a baby? Start folic acid at the same time as you stop drinking.
Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?
Alcohol passes into your breast milk. The Royal College of Midwives says not drinking is safest while you breastfeed.
But the NHS says an occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby, especially if you wait at least 2 hours before a feed.
Going out? Once breastfeeding is established, the NHS suggests not breastfeeding for 2 to 3 hours for every drink. You could express milk before you go.
You don’t need to pump to clear alcohol: it leaves your milk as it leaves your body.
Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you’ve had any alcohol. The NHS says this is strongly linked to sudden infant death (SIDS).
When to speak to a GP
Your midwife is often the first person to ask. Speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor if:
- You’re pregnant and finding it hard to stop drinking. A midwife, doctor or pharmacist can help.
- You’re trying for a baby and need help to stop drinking. A GP can get you support.
- You’re worried about drinking you did before you knew. Talk to your doctor or midwife.
- You’re worried about your child’s development or think they could have FASD. See a GP or health visitor, and tell them about any drinking in pregnancy.