An occasional alcoholic drink while breastfeeding has positive affect on your baby.

A study conducted by the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW and Deakin University found low levels of alcohol consumption had no impact on breastfeeding duration, infant feeding and sleeping behaviour at eight weeks, shares Daily Mail.

There was also no negative association with infant developmental outcomes at eight weeks or 12 months. The study showed babies who were breastfed by mothers who drank in moderation had ‘more favourable results for personal-social development’.

The babies were benchmarked at 12 months against the children whose mothers had abstained completely from drinking.

“Whilst this study certainly does not in any way condone excessive alcohol consumption in new mums, it does suggest that those that have the occasional drink whilst using strategies to prevent alcohol reaching the infant, can do so without fear of causing harm,” said lead researcher Delyse Hutchinson.

Dr Hutchinson presented the findings at the APSAD Scientific Alcohol and other Drugs Conference in Melbourne.

Researchers noted in their study the child’s social advantage could also be a result of their mothers simply heading out for a drink, as a child’s social development is likely to be greatly influenced by their environment.

Meanwhile Australian experts are warning pregnant women against drinking any alcohol despite a UK study concluding there’s not enough evidence to suggest an occasional beverage is harmful to the baby.

A recent study found a link between drinking red wine and healthy ovaries - recommending that it could actually boost the chances of conceiving. Read more HERE.

Read more: Australia continues to fail new parents with conflicting advice

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