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Feed Safe NZ app

An app that helps people who are breastfeeding, estimate when their breastmilk is likely to be free of alcohol.
Users can get quick access to NZ-specific guidelines and standard drink measures.

Feed Safe NZ app	By WellSouth Primary Health Network
	Features Personalised timing estimates based on user’s height, weight and alcohol intake. NZ-specific information about alcohol and breastfeeding, including common questions and safety tips.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

Feed Safe NZ has been developed by WellSouth Primary Health Network. While the app acknowledges that alcohol should ideally be avoided while breastfeeding, it provides information to help users make safer decisions when consuming alcohol occasionally. By entering user’s height, weight, and alcohol intake, the app estimates when breastmilk is likely to be free of alcohol. A timer function can alert the user when this time has been reached.

The app also includes answers to frequently asked questions such as how alcohol affects breastmilk. It helps users feel more confident and relaxed about occasional alcohol use while breastfeeding. It gives a simple estimate of when breastmilk is likely clear of alcohol, making it easier to plan safe feeds. It also includes clear, New Zealand-specific health information and advice, so users can make informed choices without doing tricky calculations.

For a complete app description go to the website(external link), Google Play(external link) or the App Store(external link) and for a complete app review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Developed by academic and health associations. ✔ Calculation method appears to be based on sound research, adapted from two studies on alcohol clearance from breast milk. The principles align with evidence cited in the LactMed database. ✔ Uses NZ-specific guidance, including Ministry of Health guidelines and NZ standard drinks measurements. ✔ Provides multiple disclaimers noting that alcohol clearance is affected by more than just weight and height, and that the results are only estimates. ✔ Informative and myth-busting content included in the information section, offering practical advice.	✘ No ability to input food intake, even though the information section notes that eating reduces and delays peak alcohol levels in breast milk. ✘ Limited detail on the harmful effects of alcohol on breastfeeding infants. For example, there is no mention of potential impacts on infant sleep. ✘ Lacks alcohol abuse screening, which could be useful for users at risk. ✘ No broader breastfeeding support. ✘ Drink input is limited to whole standard drinks only. Users can’t enter what they actually drank unless it aligns with a full standard drink. The standard drink guide is buried in an external PDF in the information section, making it less user-friendly. ✘ Not updated since 2023.

PROS

CONS

✔ Developed by academic and health associations.

✔ Calculation method appears to be based on sound research, adapted from two studies on alcohol clearance from breast milk. The principles align with evidence cited in the LactMed database.

✔ Uses NZ-specific guidance, including Ministry of Health guidelines and NZ standard drinks measurements.

✔ Provides multiple disclaimers noting that alcohol clearance is affected by more than just weight and height, and that the results are only estimates.

✔ Informative and myth-busting content included in the information section, offering practical advice.

✘ No ability to input food intake, even though the information section notes that eating reduces and delays peak alcohol levels in breast milk.

✘ Limited detail on the harmful effects of alcohol on breastfeeding infants. For example, there is no mention of potential impacts on infant sleep.

✘ Lacks alcohol abuse screening, which could be useful for users at risk.

✘ No broader breastfeeding support.

✘ Drink input is limited to whole standard drinks only. Users can’t enter what they actually drank unless it aligns with a full standard drink. The standard drink guide is buried in an external PDF in the information section, making it less user-friendly.

✘ Not updated since 2023.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Sarah Wang, Pharmacist
Date of review: June 2025
Platform: Android, Apple
Comments: Feed Safe NZ is a simple, evidence-based app that helps breastfeeding parents estimate when it may be safe to breastfeed after consuming alcohol. It uses height, weight, and alcohol intake to provide an estimate, includes a timer function, and offers clear, NZ-specific guidance. While alcohol should ideally be avoided while breastfeeding, the app supports safer decision-making for occasional use. Users should consult a health professional for broader support with breastfeeding or alcohol consumption.
Safety concerns: Feed Safe NZ provides only an approximate estimate of alcohol clearance based on limited factors such as height, weight, and drink count. Importantly, alcohol should ideally be avoided during breastfeeding, and users are encouraged to consult health professionals for comprehensive support.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.

Breastfeeding apps
Baby – all topics
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

Feed Safe(external link)

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