Does Caffeine Affect Breastfeeding?

Are you a breastfeeding mother and concerned about your caffeine intake? Read on and find out if caffeine intake through tea, coffee, colas, soft drinks or chocolates safe while breastfeeding?Most mothers can intake caffeine in moderate amount. Intake of caffeine reacts differently in different mothers depending on how their bodies are processing the caffeine, thus affects the breastmilk differently. Also, every baby is different. So caffeine reacts differently in them as well. Sometimes, it will not affect your baby at all. In this articleIs It Safe to Have Caffeine While You Are Breastfeeding?How Does Caffeine Affect Breastfed Babies?Does Caffeine Affect the Quantity of Breastmilk?In Which Food and Beverages Can You Find Caffeine?How Can You Understand the Safe Quantity for Caffeine Intake?Is It Safe to Have Caffeine While You Are Breastfeeding? When you sip on a cup of coffee or bite on a chocolate bar, a small amount of caffeine enter your bloodstream, from which only 1% gets into the breastmilk. Usually the caffeine level in the breastmilk reaches a peak after an hour of caffeine consumption. The only way to know that your caffeine intake is affecting your baby is through his behaviour as few babies seem to be unhappy, disturbing, and sleep poorly if you consume too much caffeine. It is better to cut caffeine out of your diet for a while if your baby seems to be bothered, and then you must observe if that makes a difference. Also, consider cutting out caffeine gradually because if you stop it all of a sudden, you may suffer with headaches or similar problems. How Does Caffeine Affect Breastfed Babies? Your newborn can be sensitive to caffeine because a newborn baby takes almost 160 hours to process caffeine. They cannot process caffeine so efficiently unlike the older infants. The caffeine tends to accumulate in your baby’s body that can make him irritable, restless, jittery, fussy, or agitated, and can contribute to sleeping problems. By 3 months, the baby’s body can start processing caffeine efficiently and by 6 months, it may take a baby only 2-3 hours to process caffeine and excrete it out of the body. So, it is better if you limit your caffeine intake until your baby grows for some period, and then you can start your normal caffeine intake again. Also, if you have avoided caffeine completely during pregnancy, then after your childbirth, your baby will tend to react more to your caffeine intake. Does Caffeine Affect the Quantity of Breastmilk? Caffeine decreases milk supply – it is a myth! The reduction in milk supply can occur because your baby will be little fussy and jittery from your caffeine intake, but the milk supply will not be affected directly by the caffeine intake. There are no such studies that have changed this myth to a fact. In fact, in 1994, Nehlig and Debry found out that caffeine can stimulate breastmilk production. In Which Food and Beverages Can You Find Caffeine? Caffeine can be largely found in coffee, though it will vary with the type of coffee bean, along with how were the beans roasted and brewed. Caffeine can also be found in tea, soft drinks, sports or energy drinks, chocolates, and also in some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Caffeine also shows up in herbal products containing Guarana/Paullinea Cupana, Kola Nut/Cola Nitida, or even green tea. How Can You Understand the Safe Quantity for Caffeine Intake? The amount of caffeine that might affect your baby will vary according to your baby’s age and health. Various sources claim that a breastfeeding mother can intake up to 300-750 mg/day of caffeine. But the best way is to observe your baby and change your caffeine intake accordingly. There are many healthy options if you find that your baby is actually getting affected by your caffeine intake and you have to limit caffeine intake gradually. Go for decaffeinated tea and coffee, fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices, milk, etc. Even herbal tea can be an alternative, but not green tea as it contains some amount of caffeine. Drink plenty of mineral water which is the best drink among all. Does caffeine intake affect breastfeeding? How much caffeine intake is safe while breastfeeding? Is it safe to drink two cups of tea or coffee daily while breastfeeding? Discuss here.