The Ultimate Guide To Caffeine While Breastfeeding

Caffeine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in over 60 different plants, is commonly included in foods and beverages for its energizing effects. Many individuals kick-start their day with a cup of coffee or tea that contains high sources of caffeine. Caffeine is favored for its ability to enhance alertness and energy levels. New mothers might turn to it to adapt to altered work routines or to combat fatigue caused by the demands of caring for a newborn. Excessive consumption of these drinks could potentially have adverse consequences for both mothers and their infants. Let's explore the essentials of caffeine during breastfeeding.

Is Caffeine Transferred to Your Breast Milk?          

Roughly one percent of the entire quantity of caffeine a mother takes in is transferred into her breast milk.

A study involving 15 lactating women discovered that those who consumed beverages containing 36–335 mg of caffeine exhibited 0.06–1.5% of the maternal dose in their breast milk.

Although this might not seem like much, babies' bodies do not digest caffeine in the same way as adults' do. Caffeine enters into the circulatory system after being digested in your stomach. After that, the liver breaks it down into substances that have an impact on various organs and body processes. In a healthy adult, caffeine typically lingers in the body for three to seven hours. Nevertheless, infants can retain caffeine for an extended duration, ranging from 65 to 130 hours, owing to the incomplete development of their liver and kidneys.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that preterm and newborn infants metabolize caffeine at a slower rate compared to older babies. Consequently, even the modest amounts that enter breast milk can accumulate in your baby's system over time, particularly in newborns.

How Much Is Safe While Breastfeeding?

In broad terms, caffeine use is safe when nursing a child. Up to 300 mg of caffeine, or two to three cups (470–710 ml) of coffee, can be consumed without risk per day. Current research indicates that breastfeeding babies do not suffer any harm from caffeine consumption up to this point. Specialists provide the following advice if you think your child is staying up later than usual because of your caffeine intake:

• Give your infant a meal before consuming any caffeine. After then, refrain from nursing for at least three hours. This should allow your body ample time to break down the caffeine without transferring it to your breast milk.
• Try to have no more than one cup of coffee every day.
• Give up coffee completely until you are done nursing or your child is mature enough to handle it more rapidly.

Remember that caffeine can also be found in a variety of other beverages, some foods, and some drugs, in addition to your typical cup of coffee or chai. These include:

• Carbonated beverages and energy shots
• Delicacies like cappuccino ice cream and fudge
• A few analgesics that are available without a prescription
• Certain nutritional products such as energizers and powdered protein sources
• If the ingredient lists are accessible, always read them. If not, ask a physician or medical professional if any of the vitamins or prescription drugs you take include caffeine.

How Does Caffeine Affect a Breastfeeding Infant?

Caffeine consumption may have an impact on the breast milk's nutritional value. Breast milk from mothers who consume three mugs of espresso a day contains roughly one-third lower levels of iron than that of moms who refrain from drinking. Eliminating caffeine can increase maternal milk's levels of iron. The baby may experience specific symptoms if you use substantial quantities of caffeine while breastfeeding (e.g., ten or more cups of coffee per day).

• Sensitivity
• Distress
• Awareness
• Fidgetiness
• Lack of sleep, trouble staying asleep or irregular sleep patterns.

According to a publication in Pediatrics which has shown a study involving 885 newborns discovered a weak correlation between a mother's daily intake of more than 300 mg of caffeine and the frequency of her infants awakening during the night.

Key Takeaway

While caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant globally and can offer an energy boost for sleep-deprived mothers, it's advisable to exercise moderation when breastfeeding. It's recommended to restrict your caffeine consumption during breastfeeding since even small quantities can transfer into your breast milk and accumulate in your baby over time. However, typically, up to 300 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to approximately 2–3 cups (470–710 ml) of coffee or 3–4 cups (710–946 ml) of tea, is generally regarded as safe.