Breast milk is described as the best source of nutrition for babies. It contains the right amount of nutrients, like protein, sugar, water and fat, for a growing infant. It is more digestible than formula. Breast milk also contains antibodies that can help an infant's immature immune system fight infection and disease.

Breastfeeding has advantages for mom as well. It's readily available (no formula to prepare, store and warm) and promotes a special bond between mom and the baby. New moms who breastfeed are less likely to develop bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its normal size and uses extra calories - enabling a woman to return to her pre-pregnancy weight and shape much faster. Research also suggests breastfeeding may lower the future risk of osteoporosis, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Health experts recommend women exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 70 percent of women initially start their newborns on breast milk. However, the rate of breastfeeding quickly declines. At six months, only 33 percent of moms are breastfeeding. At one year, the rate is 18 percent.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. The Healthy People 2010 goals are to have at least 75 percent of Americans breastfeeding at birth, 50 percent at six months and 25 percent at one year.

Breastfeeding and Alcohol Consumption

Many women are careful to avoid drug use, smoking and alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, researchers estimate about 10 percent of breastfeeding women consume at least one alcoholic drink/day. About two percent of alcohol consumed crosses into breast milk. Peak levels occur within one-half to one hour after drinking and slowly decrease. Thus, a nursing woman who drinks alcohol can potentially pass the alcohol onto the baby in her breast milk.

Studies have found alcohol in breast milk can have some adverse effects on the mother and baby. Alcohol affects milk production and can inhibit the "let-down" process that initiates the flow of breast milk. In fact, researchers say babies consume about 20 percent less food when breast milk contains traces of alcohol. Exposure to alcohol in breast milk also affects infant sleep and motor development.

Milkscreen®

A small amount of alcohol is generally believed to be safe for breastfeeding women. However, some women may still worry about passing alcohol to the baby through their breast milk. Now, a new test, called Milkscreen®, gives moms peace of mind. Milkscreen is a special pad containing chemicals that react in the presence of alcohol. A few drops of breast milk are placed on the pad. After two minutes, if alcohol is present, the pad will change colors. Julie Jumonville, Milkscreen® CEO, says the test is sensitive enough to detect 1.25 milligrams of alcohol in a deciliter of breast milk.

A positive test enables a woman to use an alternate source of food for her baby, such as milk that had been expressed at another time. A woman may also want to simply wait for another hour and retest to make sure the alcohol has cleared from her breast milk.

Milkscreen was launched nationally last October. It's available on the web and through a few independent retailers. Cost is $19.95 for a set of six testing pads. For information, log onto the company website at http://www.milkscreen.com.

For information on Milkscreen®: http://www.milkscreen.com.

For general information or tips on breastfeeding:

American College of Nurse-Midwives, breastfeeding promotion site

American Pregnancy Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

La Leche League International

The National Women's Health Information Center, breastfeeding hotline: (800) 994-9662

United States Breastfeeding Committee