I was having a great deal of trouble nursing until my Dr told me to drink a beer a day. Now the baby latches on better and stays on longer. I am producing more and it comes out faster resulting in a much less frustrating experience for both of us. I have a friend who recently had a baby. She drinks heavly several times a week.
Alcohol does harm the baby.
She asked me if I could come help her for a few days because she and her husband were so exhausted. When I got there, I found that the mother was having a drink or two each night, and that the baby was still being nursed. This baby had dark patches under her eyes, was cranky and slow, just like any other drunk. Infants, or toddlers and children for that matter, are just to small to consume any amount of alcohol. Their bodies are just not capable of handling the effects.