Most mothers that decide to breastfeed their baby do so with the intent of providing their child with the best possible nutrition, care, and love. But how do they maintain their own health while breastfeeding? Many moms are concerned with whether they can safely drink coffee while nursing their own babies.
This question is important to consider since caffeine is known to be a mild stimulant, and it’s present in coffee and caffeinated sodas. Although some studies have indicated that consuming too much caffeine during pregnancy can cause complications in the baby’s development, the effects of caffeine on breastfeeding mothers and babies has not been well studied.
In the absence of more definitive research, some experts suggest that mothers who are breastfeeding should limit their caffeine intake. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that nursing mothers consume no more than 300 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of two or three cups of coffee. The AAP also suggests that moms who are breastfeeding should avoid drinking coffee, tea, and energy drinks as these can all contain high doses of caffeine.
It is important to note that caffeine passes into breast milk and can affect babies in various ways. It has been known to cause fussiness, restlessness, and sleeplessness in some nursing babies. Therefore, it is important that mothers who are breastfeeding keep an eye on their baby’s reactions to ensure they are not affected by the caffeine.
On the other hand, some experts suggest that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine while breastfeeding is not a problem. The key is to pay attention to your baby and his/her reactions to caffeine if it’s present in your diet. If you notice your baby is having difficulty with sleeping or being fussy as a result of caffeine, it is important to reduce your intake.
The bottom line is that it’s important to be cautious when consuming any stimulant while breastfeeding. It’s best to consult with your doctor or pediatrician to make sure that the caffeine in coffee is not having an adverse effect on your child or your own health.
Caffeine Effects On Moms Health
Caffeine is a mild stimulant, which can make a breastfeeding mom feel energized and awake, which can be beneficial when tiredness is present due to night feedings. Consuming caffeine in moderation is often safe, but like anything, too much can be dangerous. Caffeine consumption can lead to headaches, insomnia, jitters, and an inability to focus.
Caffeine consumption can also disrupt a breastfeeding mom’s hormones. Too much caffeine can increase the levels of cortisol in a woman’s body, which can cause stress and anxiety. This, in turn, can lead to a decrease in milk production, since cortisol inhibits the production of prolactin which is needed for milk production. Keeping a check on caffeine consumption is important to ensure the best and safest environment for your baby.
Moreover, caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to lose to more liquid than it is taking in. Thus, for breastfeeding moms, that poses the risk of dehydration due to higher liquid loss. Hydration is important for a breastfeeding mom, not only for general health, but also for maintaining good milk production. Therefore, it is important to replace liquids that are lost with water or other hydrating drinks.
Additionally, excessive caffeine use can also cause a mom to become dependent on the substance, especially during the daytime. This can lead to a cycle of increasing caffeine consumption to remain awake and alert and then crashing further, as caffeine’s effects wear off and the individual needs more to stay awake. This can lead to poor sleep, which can further affect your health, so it’s important to be aware of your caffeine consumption and to take breaks in the day away from caffeine if possible.
Caffeine Through Breastmilk?
Since caffeine passes through the breastmilk, mothers should consider their baby’s sensitivity to caffeine when breastfeeding as well. Infants metabolize caffeine differently than adults, making them less able to process it. Thus, too much caffeine consumption can also manifest in babies, causing fussiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty feeding.
Therefore, it is important for mothers to consider the amount of caffeine that passes through the breastmilk. Even if the mom does not directly observe the effects of caffeine on her baby, it is important to be mindful of the amount of caffeine she is consuming. If the mom notices any changes in her baby’s behavior, it is important to remember that caffeine might be a factor and to adjust her diet as necessary.
If a mother wants to limit her baby’s caffeine exposure, then she might avoid foods and drinks that are high in caffeine content. This includes coffee, tea, cola, and other carbonated drinks. She might also look for caffeine-free versions of these drinks, as well as avoid certain energy drinks and chocolate bars.
Coffee Alternatives?
For nursing moms who want the flavor coffee without the caffeine, there are coffee alternatives that can be consumed. Two popular coffee substitutes are dandelion coffee and chicory coffee, which contain no caffeine but provide the flavor and aroma of coffee. These alternatives are created by roasting different plant roots and then grinding them into a powder, which can be brewed like regular coffee.
If a mom wants a drink that still retains some caffeine but is lower in content than that of coffee, then she might look into consuming decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea. Decaffeinated coffee is made by removing the caffeine from coffee beans, leaving only a small amount of caffeine in the beverage. Herbal teas on the other hand, contain minimal amounts of caffeine, usually less than 10mg per cup. Thus, these drink choices are far lower in caffeine than regular iced teas or coffee.
Conclusion
In short, although research on the effects of caffeine on breastfeeding moms and babies is limited, some experts suggest that moms should limit their caffeine intake while breastfeeding and instead look into alternatives like decaffeinated coffee or herbal teas. Moreover, they should pay attention to their baby’s reactions to ensure they are not adversely affected by the caffeine that may pass through the breastmilk.
