Report

Can you drink alcohol-free beer while breastfeeding?

By Alex Stewart

Updated 1 November 2026. Every figure links to its source below. How these pages are made.

Nursery armchair with a mug of tea — Illustrative image

Quick answerThe NHS cites the Royal College of Midwives: avoiding alcohol completely is safest, though an occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby. No UK body addresses alcohol-free beer specifically. A 0.5% beer has a quarter of a unit per 500ml; 0.0% beers are sold as alcohol-free. Choose 0.0% if you want none, and ask your health visitor.

What the NHS says

The Royal College of Midwives recommends that for the safest approach, you should avoid alcohol completely when breastfeeding. But an occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby especially if you wait at least 2 hours after having a drink before feeding.

It adds: "You do not need to express to clear your milk of alcohol. The level of alcohol in your milk will fall as the level of alcohol in your body falls."

Ratings compared

Checked 5 Nov 2026

1	IMPOSSIBREW	4.4	1,036 reviews
2	Lucky Saint	4.3	3,734 reviews
3	BrewDog	4.0	2,600 reviews
Not ranked: fewer than 1,000 reviews
	Guinness	2.4	9 reviews
	Heineken	2.0	102 reviews

Brands with 1,000+ Trustpilot reviews are ranked. TrustScores and review counts from each brand's Trustpilot page, checked 5 Nov 2026.

0.5% and 0.0%

Drinkaware says most alcohol-free beers "still contain some alcohol" and are not suitable if you want to avoid alcohol completely. A 440ml can at 0.5% is 0.22 units, about a tenth of a pint of lager. Days, Heineken 0.0 and Guinness 0.0 are 0.0%.

Where IMPOSSIBREW fits

IMPOSSIBREW, which publishes this site, is 0.5% and contains a functional blend. Its own label says it is not recommended if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or may become pregnant. Save it for later; a 0.0% beer is the better choice for now.

This page summarises published guidance and research. It is not medical advice.

FAQs

Is 0.0% beer OK while breastfeeding?

No UK body addresses it directly. 0.0% beers are sold as containing no alcohol; ask your health visitor or GP.

Can I breastfeed after one alcohol-free beer?

A 0.5% beer holds a fraction of a unit. The NHS says an occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby, but the safest approach is no alcohol.

Is IMPOSSIBREW safe while breastfeeding?

IMPOSSIBREW’s label says it is not recommended if you are breastfeeding.

Sources

All read 1 November 2026 unless stated.