Background
Caffeinated beverages are a popular choice for mothers who are breastfeeding, yet many are left wondering if they should limit their consumption or give it up altogether. After all, caffeine passes into breast-milk, and continues onto the baby – can the mother breastfeed after drinking coffee? There is no straightforward answer, as opinions remain divided.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a statement, which advised that mothers should not consume more caffeine than 300mg a day, which is the equivalent of two to three 8oz cups of brewed coffee. On the other hand, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that up to 400mg of caffeine can be consumed, which is equivalent to four cups of brewed coffee daily.
Relevant Data
Caffeine is absorbed very quickly in the mother’s body, hence it cannot be avoided entirely during breastfeeding. Should the mother consume caffeinated beverages, the best choice would be to opt for decaffeinated beverages. The reason for this is that caffeine is not completely removed from regular coffee. Tests shows that the amount of ‘decaffeinated’ coffee, which is the reference used by the World Health Organization, actually still contains up to 4 mg of caffeine per one cup . Furthermore, when decaffeinated coffee is ready-brewed, a regular cup of 8oz contains around 20mg of caffeine – double the level found in a cup of instant coffee.
Caffeine is also found in a variety of other foods and drinks, such as chocolate, soft drinks and tea. All these drinks contain caffeine and therefore should also be factored into the 300mg a day guideline set out by the AAP.
Expert Perspectives
Health experts give varying opinions when it comes to breastfeeding and coffee consumption. Whilst the World Health Organization advocates that coffee can be consumed in moderation, they also advise that caffeine intake should be limited or avoided especially during the first month of breastfeeding.
The AAP advocate that mothers should limit their caffeine consumption to no more than 300mg a day and it is also suggested that mothers could wait two hours before breastfeeding again if they have consumed a single cup of coffee.
In contrast to these two organizations, the American Lactation Consultant Association take an even more conservative approach and do not advise drinking any coffee at all whilst breastfeeding.
Personal Insights and Analysis
Whilst employed as a maternity nurse, I found that the vast majority of mothers decided not to give up coffee but greatly reduce their caffeine intake. Each mother had to make a personal decision based on the advice of her healthcare provider. Many mothers also preferred to give up coffee altogether, as they weren’t satisfied with the idea of waiting two hours before breastfeeding their baby.
From my experience, mothers that consumed lots of caffeine were far more likely to have breastfeeding difficulty than those that kept their caffeine intake to a bare minimum. Granted, the only surefire way to avoid any transfer of caffeine to the baby is not to consume any caffeinated beverages, in my experience the best point lies somewhere between complete abstinence and the 300mg guideline.
It is also important to remember that any caffeine consumed does not just remain in the mother’s system for the entire day, but is actually metabolized relatively quickly. Depending on individual factors, an 8oz cup of coffee can take between 2 to 5 hours to be completely eliminated from the body.
Caffeine Alternatives
In place of caffeinated drinks, mothers can consider natural caffeine-free health drinks. The majority of healthfood outlets now stock naturally energizing drinks, such as guarana-based smoothies, as well as beverages that contain guarana and ginger. Guarana is a type of climbing shrub that is found in the Amazon, and it has been used for centuries by Brazilian tribes thanks to its energizing properties.
Mothers should also consider herbal teas, which are known to contain natural energizers, such as those found in ginseng and peppermint. Green, jasmine and chamomile tea are amongst the most popular due to their calming properties.
Cultural Perspectives
When looking at how other countries view caffeine consumption whilst breastfeeding, it is possible to note differences in opinion. For example, in Germany it is accepted that drinking coffee is compatible with breastfeeding, with ‘Kaffee Muttermilch Tee’, which translates to ‘Coffee Mother’s Milk Tea’.
In Portugal, mothers can drink both regular teas and coffee whilst breastfeeding, however it is suggested that mothers should still be conscious of their caffeine intake. China have also relaxed their stance on caffeine and breastfeeding, as Chinese researchers state that mothers can safely consume coffee and tea in moderation.
Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption
The coffee bean itself is naturally packed with incredible benefits, especially when it comes to health. Research suggests that moderate consumption of coffee could help with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, plus it can also help to reduce stress and improve cognitive function. Coffee is also particularly beneficial for new mothers, as the natural energizers found in coffee can help to regulate blood sugar levels, which is particularly beneficial during the postpartum period.
Verdict
Some mothers opt to reduce their coffee consumption during the breastfeeding period, whilst others feel that moderation is the key and that drinking coffee in moderation is a better choice.
Ultimately, the decision should be made according to the individual mother’s body, lifestyle and opinions expressed by the health provider. If the mother opts to consume coffee, it is recommended that she drinks no more than three standard cups of brewed coffee a day and that she monitors her baby’s body language and behaviour in the case where she consumed a lower quantity.
When deciding on whether or not to consume coffee whilst breastfeeding, alternative sources of caffeine should also be factored into the equation, such as chocolate, tea and soft drinks. Furthermore, mothers should also be aware of cultural differences in opinion and the potential health benefits of drinking coffee.
Effects on Infants
Excessive quantities of caffeine can cause a disruption of sleeping patterns in infants – this is because caffeine is naturally a stimulant. In extreme cases, infants can become very distressed and might even experience fits, which can cause severe developmental delays.
If a mother notices a difference in her baby’s behaviour after consuming caffeinated beverages, then it is important that she immediately speaks to her doctor or healthcare provider for further advice.
Reducing Caffeine Consumption
In order to reduce their caffeine intake, many mothers turn to decaffeinated coffee. However, as noted earlier, some decaffeinated coffee still contains up to 4 mg of caffeine per cup, which means that mothers need to be very careful when it comes to measuring the amount they consume.
Alternatively, mothers can opt for caffeine-free herbal teas, which come in a variety of flavors and scents and have different energizing effects on the body. Some varieties of herbal tea are useful in the case where mothers require a little pick-me-up during the day, whereas other varieties are designed to soothe a baby’s tiredness or stress.
Limiting Caffeine Intakes
When reducing caffeine intake, it can be very helpful for mothers to track their daily consumption using an app or online tracker. This way, mothers can ensure that they do not exceed their recommended daily caffeine consumption and can ensure that their breastfeeding habits are not compromised.
Another helpful tip is for mothers to limit themselves to 1-2 caffeine-containing beverages per day and relax with a cup of herbal tea instead, or even a cup of plain hot water. Keeping track of exactly how much caffeine the mother is consuming can be a helpful way to make sure that her baby’s health is not compromised.
Consulting with a Health Professional
Ultimately, it is important to note that every mother’s body is different and all advice given is just a guideline. If a mother is unsure about how to best manage her intake of caffeine, then the best recommendation is to speak to her healthcare provider for further advice.
Healthcare providers can offer personalized advice as to how the mother should go about consuming coffee and other caffeinated beverages, and can advise on the best way forward in order to maximize the health benefits of coffee and minimize any potential risk of harming the baby, while taking into account the mother’s individual lifestyle.
Acquiring Support
Finally, it is important that mothers have access to support when it comes to reducing their caffeine intake. This means having access to breast-feeding counselors, lactation consultants, midwives and nutritionists – all of whom can provide helpful advice on reducing caffeine consumption and any other questions the mother might have.
Having access to such a network of support and advice can be incredibly helpful – and serve as a reminder that mothers can consume coffee in moderation, without having to give it up completely.
