I recently ate chili that had beer and bourbon in it and breastfeeding. i just learned that the alcohol doesnt cook out. what harm have i done? j

Alcohol Breastmilk: I would suspect that the amount of alcohol contained in the chili was minimal at most. The negative effects of alcohol are most prominent on the unborn fetus and due to continuous exposure. The small amounts of any alcohol found briefly in your breast milk if at all should have no serious consequences for your baby.

Good question: Alcohol passes into the breast milk and there is no safe level of exposure to babies pre/post birth. This is due to the effect of toxic byproducts (formaldehyde) on their growing nerve cells.That said, I doubt there was enough in the chili to begin causing any problem. I encourage mothers to steer clear of the wine or other alcohol sources in any amount until they wean.Some docs aren't as picky.