Let’s be real – between round-the-clock feedings and sleepless nights, that one cup of coffee in the morning might be the only thing that keeps you going. But, if you are a breastfeeding mom, having caffeine in the morning can be very concerning, especially when you are a first-time mommy. You might have thought about whether you can have caffeine while breastfeeding multiple times while sipping from your cup. If yes, then you are not alone. Through this blog, let’s see if you can drink coffee when breastfeeding and how much caffeine you can have while breastfeeding. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in!
Is it safe to have coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks when you’re breastfeeding?
Honestly, the demands of carrying a newborn are no joke. Sometimes, you may need some superpowers to work without sleep and make sure that the baby is well-fed and well-slept. Sometimes, you succeed in achieving the goal, but sometimes, otherwise. Especially when you are breastfeeding, you might have to face some restrictions in the products that you use every day – for example, coffee. Many breastfeeding mothers rely on drinks like coffee, tea and other energizers to keep up the energy level that they need to deal with a newborn baby, but is it even safe to drink coffee when breastfeeding? Well, the short answer is “Yes.”
The good news is that most experts say that a moderate amount of caffeine intake is fine on a daily basis. But timing is very important when it comes to drinking your favourite coffee. Caffeine peaks in your breast milk for 2-3 hours after drinking. Hence, feeding or pumping before or 3 hours after your morning latte is a better choice for the baby. It is also important to keep an eye on your little infant because he may show signs of fussiness even after you follow the timing rules. Here are some key takeaways that can keep you and your baby happy:
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Stick to only 1-2 cups of caffeine intake daily.
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Avoid caffeine right before nursing or pumping.
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Check your baby for any signs of irritability or disrupted sleep cycle.
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When in doubt, consult your paediatrician to get expert advice.
How much caffeine is okay while you’re breastfeeding?
You need to understand how much caffeine is allowed while you’re nursing. Well, if you don’t know, caffeine does pass into your breast milk, but the good thing is that only 1% passes on to your baby of the total you consume. But that doesn’t allow you to keep consuming caffeine without any limits. Most experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), suggest that drinking 200-300 ml of coffee when breastfeeding is fine, which makes up to 2-3 cups every day. But they also said that caffeine sensitivity varies from baby to baby.
While newborns and preterm infants metabolize caffeine very slowly, hence, they may show signs of irritability, fussiness, and crankiness. Balancing your caffeine needs while keeping up with your baby’s well-being is mindful consumption. If you are craving a warm drink, try decaf options.
