Did anyone give up alcohol?

I was a functioning alcoholic. Went to rehab before he was born and haven’t drank in the last 5 years.

I rarely drink anymore even at social functions. People are always trying to give me beers because I have kids. Personally, I just find chasing toddlers around when I’ve had a drink or two to be a terrible experience. If I have a drink I want to relax. In your case I’d say it’s probably better to keep your wife feeling comfortable and go sober for a little bit till she’s feeling better. 

Not entirely. I use to be about 10 drinks a week and now I’m one or two at most.

It wrecks sleep quality, empty calories, and it costs money to do it…

Yea those first few months are difficult, even a beer would make me more tired than I could afford for a while. We’re at 6 months now and it’s much easier to have a few drinks here and there.

Not alcohol but weed. Similarly, I quit smoking about 2 weeks before our first was born for the same reason. I didn't want to be high and needed to drive to the hospital. Our son is now 2 years old and I haven't smoked the entire time. I keep telling myself "maybe next weekend" but the weekend comes and I get paranoid. I would never forgive myself if something happened and I wasn't in the right mind to take care of things properly.

I didn't drink while my wife couldn't drive, it's just basic logistics!

No, then yes permanently.

I gave up drinking when my wife got pregnant. When my daughter was 1&1/2 years old my wife passed away. I started drinking vodka to numb the pain a month after her death. It took me down a dark path until I almost died 6 months into my binge. It was extremely difficult to stop. I did it though, for my daughter. She deserves to have the best dad in the world and I can't be that if I'm drinking. She just turned 4 and I've been sober 2 years. Fraynkie is my best friend and my reason to stay sober.

I gave up socializing. So yes. 

Rampant alcoholism on both sides of my family (including a parent that has been battling against becoming one) as well as with the better half’s family. I choose not to drink and have something maybe once every 1-2 months. However, while she was pregnant I chose not to drink anything at all, as I felt it was wrong and unfair to do so in front of her.

As such, we’ve both had maybe 2 or 3 glasses of wine in the 9 months since our second was born.

Edit: I have to agree with your wife in this case, while she’s still recovering you need at least one sober driver present in case either her or the newborn has a medical emergency.

I gave up alcohol when my wife had to (IVF), and plan to keep it up until she can drink again (after kid is done breastfeeding).

I didn't completely give it up but my alcohol consumption plummeted. What I drank in a month 5 years ago now takes a year plus.

Dude to our first coming super early and the complications I didn't drink when she was pregnant with our second and until a while after she was cleared to drive after csection.

I basically gave it up. Saps too much energy, makes me gain weight even more, and after a year of no booze, I’ve lost the taste for beer and wine. With twins, there just isn’t room for drinking in our lives.

Someday, I’ll have a nice gin martini to celebrate surviving this infant period, though.

We didn't give it up, but it's a rare activity because no one's got time or energy for it.

Having a single beer should really have no actual impact.

Non-alcoholic beer is pretty damn good these days.

Yeah, same actually, and I'm not interested in drinking anymore, I'd rather some cold water, or a milkshake if I'm trying to have a good time 😉

I didn’t have a drink for nearly 4 years, from the day we found out my ex was pregnant (not ex at the time). I had my first drink just a month or so ago, at the summer party at work, while the kids were with the ex and they were spending the weekend with her parents. If they weren’t with my ex’s parents that weekend, I wouldn’t have dared, but a lot of that is due to my ex’s mental and substance issues which can lead to her calling me in the middle of the night to come and pick up the kids, because she’s having another breakdown.

I would definitely advise to stay away from alcohol and other substances that makes you unfit to drive. At least until your SO is fit to drive, but I would probably wait event longer to be on the safe side.

Completely sober outside of shrooms once or twice a year on a camping trip.

Not drinking feels great, I’ve lost an uncle to alcoholism. It’s so painful to watch.

Going to get downvotes for this but whatever…

There are a whole bunch of people in this thread who are getting way high and mighty on their soapboxes.

Whether you choose to drink or not is a personal decision. You’re not a better or worse human being because you choose to either partake or abstain from alcohol. If people need to be sober to be a better human being, good for them for identifying that personal need for themselves, but it’s nothing more than that. Talking down on other people solely because they choose to partake doesn’t make you any better of a person, it just makes you an asshole.

Rant aside - I did stop drinking for about the first 2 months after my son was born. I did it mostly because trying to parent a newborn with even a mild hangover is brutal, but also because my wife did have a C section as well and I wanted to be ready in case any complications came up.

Since that time though I do have the occasional beverage, but my intake has gone from maybe 5-7 drinks a week to more like 1-3 a week and usually it’s only 1 a night. To be frank, as I’ve gotten older my body doesn’t process alcohol as well anymore and more than about 2 drinks leaves me hurting in the AM unless I take extensive measures (tons of hydration + anti-inflammatories + extended sleep) to overcome it. Couple that with parenting a now toddler being a high energy/focus activity and I have to limit my intake just to make sure I can still handle my parental duties.

My view is that your life and responsibilities will guide your intake. If you can’t limit your intake and it’s affecting your family life, you probably need to take steps to correct that and how you do that is up to you. There are plenty of parents who can partake with moderation and still be great parents.

I gave up alcohol for different reason, I’ll still have a beer maybe once in a while. I don’t really sleep well after I drink and that extra rest goes a long way.

I went through the same phase. Start slowly until you figure out the routine with your kid. That first beer after was magical!

Gave it up and now, I have one drink a week at most. My kiddo is 2. I’m just too tired, too busy to deal with sluggishness and hangovers. Plus, I do want to remain responsibility.

Athletic brewing is a good alternative.

I had a problem with alcohol. I’m 6 years sober. One of the Best decision in my life

Yessir. I gave up most all my vices because I just function better. I quit smoking almost 10 years ago. Stopped 4 drinking years ago. Now my vice is coffee. You’ll have to pry that out of my cold dead jittery hands.

No this is normal. My wife and I have a rule, one of us has to be alert and present at all times. If she can’t drive, you have to be sober. I’m a worrier by nature but I think it’s just being a responsible parent.

Also if your wife just had a baby and is recovering, you DEFINITELY should be present and alert. There are many factors at play here. She could have a health issue, your kid could get hurt, etc,

Also, she could also just be dealing with anxiety postpartum. My wife had PPD and it manifested as high functioning anxiety. I’d say just be supportive.

I was a heavy drinker. It runs in the family anyway and I had a rough breakup before my current relationship that left me using it as a crutch - at my worst I was working in a pub as a second job and drinking 8-12 pints on shift, then getting up in the morning to work a 9-5 and doing it all over again in the evening (my now partner worked in the same pub so if I wasn’t working I’d usually go in and be a barfly to keep her company and drink throughout)

she helped me cut down but before she got pregnant I was still drinking more than I guess your average person would, although we do have a bit of a cultural issue here in the UK which might skew my opinion of what average is

Since I found out I was going to be a dad I’ve pretty much sobered up entirely. It helps that my partner doesn’t drive so I’m designated driver when we go out to do anything, but I know when I have one I find it hard to not keep going so usually just avoid it entirely. Think I can count the pints I’ve had in the last year on my fingers now which I’m pretty proud of

I understand it’s a different situation and I needed to cut back/stop anyway, but I don’t think I’d have done it nearly as easily if I didn’t have the responsibility of becoming a parent on my horizon at the time

I did, eventually. I have 3 kids, aged 8, 4 and 3 months. I found I was drinking heavily through habit and boredom when the first one was young, it was due to lockdown with the second, and then one day I said enough is enough and decided to stop. I had done dry January every year, then each year, slowly dropped back into heavy drinking - up to 4 strong beers on a school night and then much more at weekends, and from early afternoon each day, looking forward to the first beer of the day.

Mid 2022 I had covid and had some respiratory illness afterwards, and my doctor said to cut down on my intake. I didn't drink for 3 months, and then started up again when I felt better. At Xmas 2022 I had a work do and drank far too much, to the point we were doing quadruple jagerbombs, and I felt I ought to really try to give up, as we had been trying for a third baby, without much success. I did dry January in Jan 2023 and since then, have only drank on one occasion, in March 2023 - today marks 15 months sober.

When my oldest asks why I don't drink any more I tell him because I think I'm a better Daddy when I'm not drinking. And I feel that I am.

We argue over it. I don't get plastered anymore but I enjoy a few beers or a glass of whiskey. She hasn't had a drink in over a year now.

Functioning alcoholic here on the road to recovery. Stay sober not only for your wife and kid, but also yourself. I realize people aren't all at the "I need this" stage of drinking, but the time with your loved ones without the stain of alcohol? Priceless. I wish I realized it years ago, I'd be a better person overall but for sure a much better parent.

To answer your question bluntly: No, I didn't. But I wish I did. Don't have that regret.

This is the Golden Age of nonalcoholic beers. Take advantage of the MANY options that are available and you may discover, like I did, that you could care less about the alcohol and simply just like the taste of beer.

I stopped getting drunk when we first had kids. Outside of special occasions I would only drink to stay under the legal limit and we always maintained one sober driver.

Now that the boys are 5 and 9, we are much more relaxed, but that is recent. Still though, I don't want my kids to see me drunk. I remember being young and losing respect for drunk people, and I don't want that for my boys.

After I saw some family drink at a wedding and make complete asses of themselves, I’ve generally limited myself to about 2 beers a month or so. I used to drink a 6 pack of beer a day. I stopped that. I just never want my kids to think of me as a drunk POS all the time. I’d rather they be proud of the fact I’ve been able to stay home with them as a disabled veteran.

I didn't quit when my son was born but I cut back significantly when I started trying to lose weight and just kind of trailed off to not drinking. I think it's been about a year but I didn't really have a "hard cut off" so it's hard to say. 

I still like an NA beer every once in a while, and I'm not going to pretend I don't miss whiskey, but I don't really like feeling drunk.

Gave it up before and during pregnancies, thought I would cut it out entirely after also, but have started having the occasional beer or wine. Especially with a newborn first few months I didn’t want it at all since even a little can mess with my sleep. Few months later though once we were on a normal schedule felt okay with it

I’ve never been much of a drinker as I’ve got a lot of alcoholism in my family. I’ll get a tall boy maybe once a month and that’s enough to get me buzzed which is perfect. I probably didn’t drink the first year after my son was born and I didn’t really miss it

I was an alcoholic before my daughter was born 9 months ago. I drank for about 3 or 4 months after her birth but ended up getting severely depressed and diagnosed with postpartum depression. I’m taking meds now that I can’t mix alcohol with and honestly looking back I’m glad. I haven’t touched alcohol in 5 months and there’s no part of me that wants to.

I’m sure I’ll have another drink eventually but for now there’s really no reason to

Yup. 5 months sober. But I had a problem and am in AA now. Kids are 1.5 and 1month.

I quit when my kids were 3yo and 1mo. 

I had always been a problem drinker, but it was affecting my ability to parent. 122 days alcohol free today.

I should have just quit drinking permanently. Not exactly an alcoholic but it’s not like there’s any health benefits.

I've stopped drinking: not on purpose, just never really have the time.

I don't miss it

I already didnt drink on days when i had work the next day (because regardless of my state of drunkenness or not, after drinking i always feel crappy)

Now, as a dad, i always have work the next day in the form of minding the kids.

Beyond that, for the whole of pregnancy, my wife couldn't drink, and that's been 30 months, and i don't want to drink by myself.

I don't miss it

I think if you weren’t a massive drinker before, just go with the flow and maybe don’t drink until you can both drive. Save on the pennies as well!

Heavy alcoholism runs in my family, so I just avoid it entirely.

When my daughter was 2 and a half, I put myself through 3 months of rehab and have been sober from alcohol for over 2 and a half years now

Unintentionally have not had a drink in like 2.5 years. I don't miss it.

Cut back but didn’t give up.

I never started drinking for my future kids - still don’t drink though have stopped refusing an occasional glass of wine with dinner now that my elder one is an adult. I feel not drinking saved me so much money, hassle, issues with my kids’ drop offs, pickups and so on. When you don’t drink at all, driving needs become so much simpler to manage - never a worry if you are legal! Also, I am short tempered - have always been, and always aware of it, and have worked on it all my life - not drinking has taken out another dangerous variable with the temper. So, it was a very calculated decision from a young age.

I didn’t stop drinking out of that fear, but just realized it wasn’t worth the trade offs for me physically. Haven’t missed it at all honestly, and with the rise in NA options of late, if I really want some hoppy deliciousness I have tons of options.

Im not much of a drinker but I do own a licensed cannabis company and had been actively smoking for 13+ years non stop daily. This past month my son turned 2 and I realized I can’t be high and be the father he needs me to be. I stopped smoking 3 weeks ago and I feel like a completely different person. Theres still times where Id love to light up or take a dab but every time I get the urge im reminded why I stopped and it’s been working.

Been sober since a couple years before becoming a dad. No interest in going back. I love sobriety. Intoxication offers nothing for me. Certainly wouldn't make me a better dad.

Stopped in solidarity with my wife . We haven’t looked back and it’s been better for us as a family

Are you looking to see if people think it’s okay for you to have a beer, or whether you should consider giving up alcohol altogether? As someone who spent lots of mental energy on this for our first kid, the answer to both, in my opinion, is so what you think is best for you and your relationship. My wife never asked me to not have a drink, but there was a decent amount of time where I was good without having anything just in case…probably a month. Then I started to get the pattern/routine (routine was huge for me) down, and felt more comfortable having a beer in the evening. I was never a big drinker and having a beer on a Friday or Saturday evening was a nice cap to the week. Eventually you just figure out not only what works, but what your kid is like in terms of waking up, crying, etc - along with how you and your wife want to tag team busy nights/early mornings. You’ll make the right decision, and if not, it’s all a learning process and you’ll adapt.

I brought champagne to the hospital so my wife and i could have some bubbly to celebrate the birth. No c-section though

Went from drinking 1-2 beers a day before and after she was born to maybe a 6 pack of ipa once every 6 months. I just lost the taste for it one day.

I’ve been sober for 10.5 years now and my oldest kid is 8. My kids have never seen me consume an alcoholic beverage. Best decision I’ve made. When the other dads invite me to the bar (there’s a bar here next to a jump spot a lot of kids have parties), I’ll go and get a Mexican coke.

I didn’t drink the whole time my wife was pregnant. She never asked me to, but at the time my doctor had just told me to watch my cholesterol and overa heart health so I figured it was a good time to do it.

Alcohol is degrading your mind and body. Ask yourself this: does my kid deserve a strong dad or a weak dad?

I quit almost 5 years ago when my daughter was 3 or 4. I just found parenting too difficult mixed with alcohol. I’m not a morning person to begin with, and adding booze makes it worse.

Honestly I was never much of a drinker but we had fun. That being said I haven't had any since a bit before my wife tested positive and the kid is past 2 now. I don't really miss anything.

I gave up completely, 900 days ago today as it happens, and it's the third best thing I've ever done, after having my two kids.

My relationship with them and with my wife has improved and flourished exponentially, and I love setting a good example for them as someone that doesn't drink in a world where they're surrounded by people, society, movies, music, everything, compelling them to drink something that only takes from us, and adds no value to our lives.

Having a beer or two is not going to hinder your ability to respond in an emergency. Getting blackout is a different story.

Always one sober adult who can drive. That’s the rule.

Was totally sober for a couple months after my first one. I figured anything that made me more tired than I already was would be a net negative.

Yes, sir. I was not a heavy drinker either. After the first born, I just didn't have time or desire as we had more kids. I am a dad of 4.

I quit drinking until my youngest was 18.

I’ve given up within the past few months. I don’t have a problematic relationship with alcohol, but we’ve noticed I’ve been getting an unpleasant flush reaction even with one sip of a beer. It had happened once or twice years ago, but lately it happened every time I took a sip of a drink. Until I can get in to see my doctor and get some testing done, I’ve given up alcohol entirely. I’m actually a bit of a scotch nerd, and I have a few lovely bottles on the bar that I don’t know if I’ll be able to taste again. Also I LOVE grilling with a nice hazy IPA this time of year. But aside from missing some of my favorite flavors, it hasn’t been nearly as difficult to give up as I thought it would be. If only chocolate was that easy to give up…

My daughter is three, and I unintentionally started drinking a lot less after she was born. I really only drink when I don't need to be responsible for watching her (sleepover with Gma and Gpa, wife and I are away on a trip, etc). Even then, it's less that I had in the past, I usually only have a drink or two.

I have a tipple every now and then (had my first drink in months the other day), but it's not worth it really. Id rather stay at home than have to deal with a 4yo while heavily hungover.

Gave up alcohol after getting married. Wife’s preference. No big deal for me so no worries. Haven’t missed it either.

I'm certainly trying to

I gave it up completely a few months before the due date. Every now and then I get an alcohol free beer for the taste.

I didn't give it up, but I wasn't a heavy drinker to begin with.

I used to have 3 or 4 drinks per week, now I maybe have that many in 4 to 6 weeks.

Our kids are older now (13 and 7) and we just got back from a 7 day cruise, I had 5 drinks the entire trip, my wife had 4.

We used to be able to max out the drink package every time we went before we had kids (for reference, that's 15 drinks per day).

Yes, around child birth every time, with the same thought process. Although Taxis still exist in some places.

And since last summer, for good.

We make sure that one of us is sober and mobile at any given time. Neither of us has given up drinking, and it's not like we drink much anyway, but now there's always a conversation beforehand to make sure we're on the same page.

I have never been much of a drinker but I didn’t change my habits when my kids were first born. I never have more than a few drinks over the course of a week and I would still have a beer here or there when my kids arrived.

It’s a bit over anxious IMO but not unreasonable. You guys are new parents and you want to be as vigilant as possible. As long as you are are t getting shit faced and at risk of injuring you child and still able to respond to an emergency or five a car I think a beer or two is fine.

But maybe not worth it if your wife is too worried

I drank while he was a baby but as soon as he was mobile I basically stopped completely. I’m just paranoid I’m going to have to drive to a hospital randomly if an accident happens and if I have a buzz on that’s not good.

No, but I do use weeed significantly less than I used to. There should always to be a lucid, capable adult in the house at all times. Right now my wife is pregnant, so that lucid, capable adult is usually me.

If we’re going out boozing (which we obviously haven’t done since finding out my wife is pregnant), we send the kids to my parents for a night so we can enjoy our hangovers the next morning.

I try not to model behaviors in front of my kid that I don't want them to do and as such I only drink water or tea at home.

Stopped drinking when wife got pregnant the first time. It's been 12 years

Over ten years sober. Should’ve done it a lot sooner.

Have limited alcohol significantly, even at social functions (just get a club soda or fizzy water or something). Its 1-2 hours of slightly looser feeling vs feeling 50% slower the next day.

Haven’t drank in six months since my second was born

I didn’t like drinking in front of my first either. I loved to drink and play games before kids but it’s just been different for me since having them

Honestly the six months of sobriety have been great physically, stronger and leaner than I’ve been in years

C-section, she has a fair point, for like two weeks, maybe. The ambulance is always better than you driving under stress with a newborn with a post surgical person in a car required by law to wear a seatbelt even after surgery. The ambulance is the safest option unless you’re an ER physician who can control an abdomen bleed without a team while driving, otherwise, she’s wrong; so yea, she’s wrong. Call the ambulance if there’s an issue, you should never drive under duress with a child, ever. Enjoy 2 beers, that’s the legal limit, if she has a problem with that compromise she’s a misandrist with unreasonable expectations. She can’t drink post surgery, it’s a jealousy issue.

I don’t drink, I think I drank half a beer with my wife on our first date because I didn’t want to bring it up. I don’t have a personal issue with it, I just don’t care for the taste or impacts to health

I didn’t drink until my wife was able to drive. I also don’t drink on my nights as I want to be gtg if I am needed (we alternate nights. It’s an easy normal. Definitely not overly anxious imo.

I drank so much less and it carried forward. That being said, if something bad enough happens that you need to drive, call an ambulance. This seems like a case of happy wife, happy life. I wouldnt do it.

I wasn't a big drinker before having kids, but these days I have a beer on the very occasional times when I meet friends at a bar. I just don't feel the need these days.

I waited until my wife was fully healed to do anything. I also quickly learned that if I were going to do anything like that that it would be edibles.

I have a high stress job and about once per month I’ll partake and watch a silly movie or Bachelor in Paradise on the couch with my wife. It’s like a reset button for stress tolerance for each of us, and the next day I’m the happiest dad in the world 😂

If your wife can't drive it makes sense. I have one beer a night during my "relaxation" time while we watch a show or I video game, but rarely more than one. Only if we're at a friend's house and my wife is driving.

Have some kava instead, forget about booze - there is no safe amount, esp. if it has a history with you - you'll start to feel high with nothing - naturally. Do it for the kid, the wife and yourself - blessings

Yeah I gave up alcohol and tree for a while. Called it “President Mode.”

No, not really. I mean during those first few weeks I don't think I drank just because I didn't feel like having a drink. Just being tired and scheduling out of whack, but it wasn't like a conscious decision. But eventually I went back to having the occasional eving beer. My wife and i are both the type to like a beer or glass of wine with dinner but were not getting loaded every night. Personally, I know I can still drive fine after 1 drink, but I know we are all more careful when our kids are involved. So do what you feel comfortable with.

I stopped shortly after mine was born. Ive made strides in my career and home life. Cant say for sure that complete sobriety is the cause but i dont really miss it

Yeah, it kinda just happened. lol I miss drinking but have no desire to. My wife and I were both heavy social drinkers - lots of social stuff, after work happy hours, would you usually make a drink or two at night (a nightly bottle of champagne wasn’t uncommon); lol we gave the staff at our usual sports bar Christmas bonuses.

Perfect storm of wife being pregnant at beginning of Covid - all the places we drank at closed, no more socializing, I start working from home, and my drinking buddy was growing our baby. Drinking alone at home seemed very alchy. And I just kinda haven’t felt like it since. I’ve had maybe 3 drinks in the past year.

lol kinda sucks, I loved so many beers and cocktails, had a great bar setup, and I was such a great drunk - high tolerance, fun and sociable, never drove. Wife has pretty much stopped, too, an occasional glass of wine, maybe a drink on date night

Iwndwyt!

I saw on here earlier, if you want to drink and/or smoke, you have to be able to handle any situation. For instance, if your kid gets hurt, you need to be able to function and get them to the hospital. For me, that is like three beers on an outside limit, those being heavy IPAs.

For newborn stage, I don’t think I drank for like three or four months though just cause I was already so tired.

My wife gave it up obviously during pregnancy and never started again. She realized all these people were like ‘wow bet you can’t wait for a margarita’ and she had zero interest

I’ve mostly quit as a result. Being hung over with a baby sucks the work can’t get pushed off. I still love a glass of wine or a cold beer but it’s generally one or two with an occasional dinner anymore

Entirely sober during both pregnancies. Now that the kids are a little older (3, 6) I’ll have a beer while barbecuing or a few drinks after dinner on weekends, but that’s about it.

I stopped drinking when we found out my wife was pregnant out of solidarity for her. I didn't start drinking again until she was able to (a bit after she started breastfeeding and felt safe about what we had stored up), and it was honestly the absolute healthiest I've ever felt.

Now that the kiddo is older, we're back to boozin' but not nearly to the degree that we used to.

Sometimes, I miss those days of absolute sobriety.

I haven’t given it up, but I cut way back. Between how precious sleep is, the responsibility, and the lack of time to work off “empty calories” I’ve gone from averaging 2-3 drinks a week to 0-1. I still love a nice single malt or refreshing beer after mowing, but it’s become an occasional treat instead of a regular thing.

I have noticed a lot of our friend group has gone totally alcohol free, wondering if it’s a generational shift away from the unhealthy and expensive relationship with alcohol, with parenthood being the catalyst.

I quit been 2 years

Sort of, and sort of not. I don’t drink "alone", i.e. not unless my wife also has a drink. Never felt a pull towards it. Love alcohol though. Beer with frieds is significantly less than before. Might start sharing an occasional bottle again, or have a beer each, now that the toddler is not breast feeding. But only if the children go to bead early. We almost never did that before having children. On the pluss side, we don't consider the price as much as before, as the budget is near non-existent now anyway.

I had a bachelor party 4 weeks before my wife was due. I drank a lot, like a lot.

Of course she went into the labor the day after the big party night.

I drink way less than before I had a kid though now. Still go out and watch sports with friends and have beers but I don’t drink at home anymore.

I gave up Pokemon Go

6 months today! I did it so I could wake up and be the best dad I could be. I’ve never been so present with my family and now I actually feel proud of myself for once.

Good god I didn’t even have time to think about a drink until like 8 weeks lol.

There is a time and a place…when moma is near her due date it’s not the time or the place to drink

I now value my quality of sleep more than I do catching a booze buzz. I will, however, occasionally “hang out in the garage 🔥🌳💨” during a nap time or an evening after bedtime.

I’m the primary caregiver for my son most weekends. He’s pushing 7 and I can count the number of times I’ve had a drink when it’s just been the two of us on one hand. Even those have been when I already know my wife is going to be home soon and it’s one drink. Recently my wife and I were trying to loose weight and gave up drinking except the weekend and even then we don’t drink that much anymore. My point to all of this is that once we cut back or stopped we didn’t really miss it. If you don’t already have an issue with drinking then stopping can be easier than you think.

I gave up for a year. I started again but single beers. No more 3+

Yup. Drinking is literally a negative on your body I don’t care what justification anyone uses.

Its all negative and so glad I never really started

I wish buddy.

I didn't drink or use cannabis for the entirety of both pregnancies, 3 months or so after the babies were home we were back to cracking coldies after bedtime. A beer won't really hurt probably but one eventually turns to 2 and IMO, once you open that door it's hard to close. Best to keep it closed until you can leave it open. Just my 2 cents.

Well, it worked without alcohol for so long, why not keep going?

Yes. And it's great. You will need the energy to keep up with your kid. There is nothing worse than trying to be a good dad with a hangover

Pretty much. Cut down to just 20 beers this weekend. Grad parties will get ya.

I drink a beer or two at night before bed. That’s it. Haven’t been drunk in about 5 years!

I understand what your wife is worried about. Maybe drink after her C section is healed?

Personally I don’t think anything will just happen to your boy, (nothing is ever planned health wise) but to avoid any arguing or whatever just wait I guess 🤷🏻

I never drink when I am potentially responsible for driving my child. I am not risking potentially getting in a car accident and feeling terrible because I had to have a beer at a cookout.

I haven't given up alcohol, but the only times I've really ever drank a considerable amount were when we were at a wedding (my parents watched the kid) and on Christmas (at my house).

I’ve been drinking a little more recently.  My son had a birthday party and I bought too much beer.  Even after giving some away, we still have too much…

I stopped pretty much for the same reason when our first was born. It was supposed to be a pause, but the correlation between no alcohol, and feeling so much better each morning was so high, I made an extreme effort to force develop a pavlovian response. It worked, and I haven't felt the need to have alcohol for seven years now. In fact, the training has worked well enough for my brain to actively dislike alcohol (not the taste, but the feeling of a hangover is way too overwhelming each time I taste alcohol).

Quite the opposite

I didn't, but I don't drink much to begin with. Probably one drink two nights a week at most. If I ever wasn't safe to drive, and she couldn't drive, I'd call an ambulance.

I stopped drinking the first time we started trying to have a baby through breastfeeding in support of my wife.

I started drinking again at some point after kid one came but stopped at the beginning of COVID. 

We had kid 2 and I just never started drinking again. I find sober life more interesting, fulfilling and easier.

I found it hard to drink if I have to wake up with him in the middle of the night.. I did it once (drinking and then waking up with him) and I hated every second of it. My son is now 7 months and it’s a little easier but he still wakes up once through out the night so it’s less painful

I gave it up until the baby started sleeping through the night. Which for us came at 2 months luckily.

Still don’t drink as heavy as I used to on the weekends, being hungover with a baby is no fun.

Seriously, just give it up for good. There's absolutely zero positive benefit from alcohol that you can't find in the form of a healthier habit.

Losing a loved one to Esophageal Varices was the motivation I needed to quit 2.5yrs ago, and the investment has paid dividends to my mood, mental presence, etc.

Not to say it's easy, because everyone experiences cessation differently, but I'm rooting for you to make whichever decision best supports you and your family.

Yes. My wife had a few complications during her second pregnancy and I just thought "I need to be with it in case anything happens".

That was about 21 months ago and the only alcohol that has crossed my lips since was a sip of champagne at my childhood friend's wedding toast. Not only did I not miss it, I slept much better and felt good in myself so I just kept going.

I do enjoy the odd Guinness 0% now and then, but rarely bother with anything else.

it becomes easier when they're a few months old but it's never back to what it was for me. I get buzzed like I'm in high school but I've got no point to sacrifice my future happiness with beer

I gave up heavier drinking about 6 or 8 months ago. Waking up with a 4 year old and having a hangover isn't fun, even just a mild one. I was asked at a doctor's appointment how many drinks I have a week, and I had to think like... Idk 2? Was kind of a relevatory moment.

Yep. Gave it up about 14 months ago. I didn't drink much to begin with, so I wasn't really cutting out much in the first place.

My advice would be, do what feels right. If you have a moment to relax and want to enjoy 1 beer, why shouldn’t you? You can still drive and be alert, as long as you’re not chugging a 15%er. On the other hand, if it’s going to make your wife feel uncomfortable right now, best to wait.

Having two is what really chilled out my alcohol consumption. A 3 year old and a 1 year old is a lot. I need all my brain power to be able to take care of them. Pretty much only socially drink now and I only keep NA beer in the fridge. I’ve also found that at 36, even a few beers really wrecks my quality of sleep, and it’s just not worth feeling like crap the next day to catch a little buzz. I’d rather be sober and enjoy my time with my wife and kids.

I’ll have a few at night to “wind down” as my fiancé and I are taking shifts and I’m watching kid till 3am. To be fair though I’m only a few days into paternity leave and having a few drinks before bed every night is not a healthy sustainable habit

I have an occasional drink now, but I don't drink much to begin with anymore. I prefer not to because I want to be sober in case of emergency. That's basically our rule - one fully functional adult.

I drink far less even 4yrs later. More because being even a little hungover at 3am if they are sick or at 615am when they just normally wake up SUCKS. Usually when I do drink, it is still far less quantity. Getting proper drunk just isn't that fun and a light buzz to relax is all I desire should I venture down that path but usually a little CBN+THC at night to chill and sleep well is far better (legal where I am)

I did, but I wasn't smart enough to do it before my kids were born. Better late than never.

We’re expecting our first child in a month.

I don’t really drink as it is but I do have a few puffs from my one hitter throughout the course of a normal day.

I’m going to cut that out in a couple Of weeks- I don’t want to ever be in a position where I’m needed to care for our kid but I can’t bc I got high. Once mom is back on her feet and baby has gotten comfortable with their sleep routine I’ll probably revisit.

The idea of having to drive somewhere with my baby while under any influence just horrifies me

I gave up booze, weed, and sex for about 9 months. I wanted to be 100% present for any eventuality. The worst part was in month 2 my father was stuck in an ICU half way across the country no where near his home during Covid with potential heart failure and a lung infection that wasn’t Covid related. Resulted in me flying 1000 miles away to check on him while the wife was home alone with a new baby for nearly 8 days. I then drove my father home in his car with an oxygen tank hooked up and only being able to drive about 200-250 miles a day due to him not being physically able to stand more time on the road than that.

Damn I wanted to get so high and so drunk when I got home but still had to refrain. As far as giving up sex, that’s just a byproduct. There really wasn’t any plan there it just happened from needing more sleep.

Our son was a crap sleeper until about three years old. I was scared to drink a beer in case I'd have a bad night with multiple wake ups. I couldn't imagine trying to do a morning with him if I had a hangover. So I just stopped drinking.

He's now a good sleeper (touch wood), but I just couldn't be bothered drinking more than one beer. The positives no longer outweigh the negatives

I barely drink. Usually a six pack lasts a month in my house. But after my first kid was born, I didn’t have any beer for like 4 months. Do what feels right. And if your newly postpartum wife asks you not to, just don’t. Drink a can of seltzer (regular, non-alcoholic seltzer). Oftentimes I think I want a beer, but what I want is a carbonated beverage, and seltzer scratches the itch.

Yes, but it was around my daughter’s first birthday. I couldn’t be the father I wanted to be with alcohol in my life. Granted, I drank too much in the first place, but I think everything is easier and I’m much more patient. Big fan of edibles still.

Wasn’t a drinker before but enjoyed an occasional 3-4 beer Friday evening. 

Daughter is 2 years+ now and I just don’t drink. Takes away the shine in my energy to be with her and my wife. 

Not drinking before and after is a reasonable request considering her situation. 

Yeah I would hold off til she can drive. I don't have any drinks if I'm the only adult home too. Not that I ever get drunk but I don't want to take the chance of a kid needing an ER visit and me being suboptimal.

Didn't give it up, but I only ever had a drink on my off nights, every other Saturday. And even then, it was only a 2 oz pour of whiskey or brandy to pair with an espresso while I relaxed a bit before bed.

I still do my little routine now, but it's only when my wife and kid are already in bed sleeping. Just me, my dogs, on the couch, relaxing. That's my time to unwind, especially since I don't have to head to work that night.

More or less. I may have an occasional beer/wine, but not more than one so I can still drive if needed

I didn’t for like five months after my first was born. But I’m generally of the mind if there’s an emergency, I’m calling an ambulance

Yep. Also for health reasons, but just doesn’t seem worth it anymore.

My drinking dropped off significantly after I had kids. I may have 1 or 2 drinks a month now