The issue of alcohol and breastfeeding has caused a heated debate recently. The reason is that the new Nordic nutrition recommendations may contain guidelines that breastfeeding women should completely abstain from alcohol. One person who has reacted strongly against the advice on zero tolerance is Agnes would, chief physician and professor of clinical bacteriology at the University of Gothenburg.
"It's totally unscientific, backward and moralistic," would said in an interview with Svenska Dagbladet.
But there have also been voices in favour of stricter recommendations. In a debate article in the same newspaper, Frida Dangardt and Sven Andréasson, professor emeritus of social medicine at Karolinska Institutet, write that there are risks with alcohol when breastfeeding – and that it is best to refrain.
– I think it's about time that the recommendations changed, says Frida Dangardt to SVT.
Then new breastfeeding advice should be presented
The new recommendations will be presented on 20 June and form the basis for the National Food Agency's guidelines on dietary advice in Sweden.
Viktor Ahlqvist, doctoral student specialising in health during pregnancy at Karolinska Institutet, thinks it would be unfortunate if the Swedish authority changed its recommendations, from today's limited alcohol intake – to total abstinence.
"When there is no evidence to talk about, there is a risk that you only blame women," he says.
Hear Viktor Ahlqvist and Frida Dangardt develop their reasoning in the video above.