Alright, mamas. Listen up! Today, we’re talking about one of the biggest topics of all time: caffeine and breastfeeding. As moms, we’re running a million different places each day. But even if we’re just in the comfort of our own home, we’re still thinking of all the things we need to do. It’s an endless cycle of “busy” and sometimes, we just need a little help from our dear friend, Caffeine.
We constantly get asked questions about caffeine and breastfeeding (ie: can I drink coffee while breastfeeding?) and thought we’d put together all our most asked questions in one place. So, without further ado, let’s hop into the discussion of caffeine vs. breastfeeding.
6 Commonly Asked Questions about Caffeine and Breastfeeding
1. Can I have caffeine while breastfeeding?
The short answer is yes, in moderation. Whether your weapon of choice for caffeine is coffee, tea, or soda, like most things, caffeine is safe to consume while breastfeeding as long as it is in moderation.
2. Does caffeine affect my milk supply?
According to a maternal food while breastfeeding study, although caffeine does travel through to breast milk, the amount transferred is approximately less than 1% of the amount of caffeine the mother consumed.
3. How much caffeine can I drink while breastfeeding?
Low to moderate amounts of caffeine is safe for the mother to consume while breastfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends limiting the amount of caffeine or coffee while breastfeeding to 300 milligrams per day, which equates to about 2-3 cups of coffee per day.
Caffeine levels in breast milk are said to be the highest 1-2 hours after consumption. For extra precaution, mothers can choose to drink a moderate amount of caffeine and wait 1-2 hours before breastfeeding their infant.
4. Does caffeine affect my baby while breastfeeding? What side effects of caffeine should I look out for?
High caffeine intake (10 cups of coffee or more per day) has been shown to affect infants while breastfeeding. Caffeine side effects in a baby while breastfeeding include irritability, jitteriness, and disrupted and poor sleeping habits.
If you think caffeine is affecting your baby, keep a watchful eye on their behaviors after drinking coffee and breastfeeding. If you notice increased irritability or lack of appetite, try eliminating coffee or your usual caffeine source and see if your baby’s behaviors change.
5. Can caffeine decrease my milk supply?
There is no official research that shows caffeine decreases your milk supply. However, there may be correlated reasons that could lead to a slight decrease in milk supply. If you drink high amounts of caffeine (10 cups of coffee per day), it could cause a restless baby. A restless, jittery baby may not want to eat, lowering the amount of breast milk they consume, which could later lead to a decrease in breast milk production.
Caffeine also tends to dehydrate the body, which could slightly affect the amount of breast milk produced. To counter this, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water before and after drinking anything with caffeine.
6. What are some caffeine or coffee alternatives while breastfeeding?
When you’re sleep deprived and balancing the role of new mother, we need all the energy we can get! But if you’re looking for caffeine or coffee alternatives while breastfeeding, here are some of the best options out there:
Chocolate:
Water or Coconut Water:
Matcha:
Maca:
Proper Nutrition:
Turmeric Latte:
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Caffeine isn’t an enemy while breastfeeding. As long as you’re drinking your coffee or sipping that tea in moderation, getting your caffeine fix while breastfeeding is perfectly fine—so, stay calm and sip on, mama!
SOURCES
Bonyata, Kelly. “Breastfeeding and Caffeine.” Kellymom. https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/caffeine/#milksupply.
Jeong, Goun, “Maternal Food Restrictions During Breastfeeding.” NCBI. 27 March 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5383635/.
Langford, Rhiannon. “Coffee Alternatives For Breastfeeding Moms.” Majka. 1 May 2019, https://lovemajka.com/blogs/blog/coffee-alternatives-for-breastfeeding-moms.
“Maternal Diet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html.
Mendes, Carly. “Coffee Alternatives For The Sleep Deprived Mother.” Ergobaby. 22 Nov. 2016, https://ergobaby.com/blog/2016/11/coffee-alternatives-for-the-sleep-deprived-mother/
Weatherspoon, Deborah. “Is It Safe To Drink Coffee While Breastfeeding?” Healthline. 28 Oct. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/coffee-and-breastfeeding#side-effects-in-baby.
Villines, Zawn. “Can You Drink Coffee While Breastfeeding?” Medical News Today. 17 Aug. 2018, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322805.php#risks-and-benefits.
Check out these blog posts for coffee recipes and coffee alternatives that will help boost your energy as a new mom!
- Majka Booster Bulletproof Coffee
- Coffee Alternatives for Breastfeeding Moms
- 3 Superfood Lattes to Enjoy With Your Lactation Bites
- 3-Ingredient Majka Iced Latte
What do you do to keep your energy levels up as a new mom? Let us know in the comments below! Follow us @lovemajka #lovemajka #fuelingmotherhood!
