More on treatment Pregnancy and breast-feeding Pregnancy Alcohol crosses the placenta to the baby. It can cause problems in pregnancy such as bleeding, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. It is not known whether or not there is any safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Nor is it certain if any particular stage of pregnancy is the most vulnerable to the effects of drinking. Babies of women who are heavily dependent on alcohol can suffer withdrawal after birth.
Symptoms can include tremors, irritability, fits and bloated abdomen.
If trying to become pregnant, then limit your alcohol consumption to small amounts and not too frequently. While the effects of drinking alcohol on breast-feeding are unclear, it is known that alcohol is excreted into breast milk. It may be that having only one drink occasionally is safe, but in general it is better to avoid using alcohol as much as possible. During the first 12 months of the baby's life the brain is still developing and may be damaged by alcohol. Alcohol use can also reduce the milk supply.