Does drinking coffee while nursing affect baby?
Coffee has become an integral part of many people’s daily routine, some people even cant function before having a cup in the morning. With the help of modern science, research has managed to shed light on the beneficial properties of coffee and caffeine, however we must keep in mind that some of its effects can have an impact on babies. While it is natural that some mothers will have coffee while nursing, it is important to know what effects this could have on the child.
According to a study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics from the University of Connecticut, caffeine is not completely forbidden for breastfeeding mothers, however there are some factors which should be taken into consideration. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advise that women should try to limit their caffeine intake while breastfeeding to 300mg per day, which is equivalent to 3 cups of brewed coffee. It is important to keep in mind that some of the other beverages that contain caffeine, such as energy drinks and tea, can have more caffeine than a cup of coffee and so should be kept to a minimum.
Coffee contains compounds such as theobromine and caffeine which can pass to the baby through breastmilk. These compounds can accumulate in the baby’s blood and can sometimes lead to negative symptoms such as: sleeplessness, irritability and restlessness. For example, a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis, found that babies exposed to caffeine in breastmilk were 49 times more likely to experience increased levels of cortisol, a hormone involved in how the body responds to stress. It is important to note that caffeine does not always lead to these negative symptoms and it often depends on the amount the mother consumes.
Moreover, intake of coffee may also decrease the quantity and quality of the mother’s milk, as suggested by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They suggest that one of the reasons this alteration might occur is due to the fact that coffee may reduce levels of prolactin, which is the hormone responsible for stimulating milk production. Therefore, the more coffee a mother consumes, the less prolactin her body produces, which could interfere with breastmilk production.
Finally, it is important to note that although science has managed to provide us with some of the effects that coffee can have on a breastfeeding baby, we must not forget that every baby is different and some of them may be more sensitive to caffeine than others. Therefore, it is important to keep a healthy balance and be mindful of the quantity of coffee that a mother consumes while she is breastfeeding and keep an eye on any irregularities in the baby’s behavior to determine if there is a correlation.
Effects on Nutrition
Coffee and the caffeine that is found in it, can possibly influence the baby’s daily nutrition intake and his overall growth and development. As mentioned before, coffee can reduce the amount of prolactin found in the mother’s body, which in turn can reduce the quality and quantity of the breastmilk that she produces. This can lead to a decrease in the number of nutrition components babe benefits from breastfeeding.
Quality and quantity of the mother’s milk are important when it comes to providing the fetus with all the necessary building blocks for proper growth and development. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that women should maintain a moderate caffeine intake while breastfeeding, as excessive caffeine can cause more harm than good.
In addition, research studies have suggested that excessive caffeine intake while breastfeeding can lead to low iron levels in the baby due to its impact on the fatty acid composition of the breastmilk. This could lead to an increased risk of anemia and other iron deficiency disorders later on in life.
Finally, research conducted at the McGill University of Montreal showed that caffeine intake can also increase the baby’s risk of obesity later on in life, which is most likely due to the fact that caffeine can lead to an increase in the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.This in turn can lead to a change in the metabolism leading to an increased risk of obesity.
Heart Health
The American Heart Association has warned that too much caffeine intake for the mother, while she is breastfeeding, can lead to negative impacts on the baby’s heart health. Studies conducted on animal models suggest that the presence of caffeine during the breastfeeding period can lead to an altered heartbeat in the baby due to its effects on the adrenal glands. This altered heartbeat can lead to an increased risk of heart diseases in the future.
However, it is also important to mention that the studies conducted on animal models have not been able to provide clear results when it comes to the long term effects of caffeine on the baby’s heart health. Therefore, more research needs to be done in order to establish the magnitude of these effects.
Furthermore, the National Institute of Childhood Health and Human Development suggest that caffeine can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure in the fetus. This is due to the fact that caffeine is able to cross through the placenta, however it is important to note that the coffee consumption should be controlled while pregnant as this could lead to the baby being born with a high blood pressure.
Effects on Mental Development
Besides the physical effects, coffee consumption while breastfeeding can also have an impact on the baby’s mental development. According to a study conducted by the Journal of Pediatric Psychologythe caffeine pass through the breast milk can lead to an increased risk of restlessness for the baby as well as an increased risk of daily irritability in the long run.
Furthermore, the Harvard School of Public Health conducted further research which found that caffeine had a negative impact on the baby’s cognitive development, leading to a decreased memory capacity and an increase in difficulty to concentrate when the baby reaches school age. This study suggests that this could be due to the fact that caffeine can alter the normal growth patterns of the brain, but further research must be done in order to confirm this.
Finally, some research has suggested that caffeine could also affect language development in the baby. It is believed that caffeine can interfere with the normal production of breast milk, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of delays in language development.
Alternatives to Coffee
Although some research suggests that coffee consumption while breastfeeding can be beneficial in some cases, it is important to keep in mind that the amounts can vary drastically from one mother to another. As a result, it is highly recommended that mothers limit their intake of coffee or any other caffeinated beverages when they are breastfeeding.
To help mothers reduce their caffeine intake, some experts suggest that certain alternatives to coffee such as green tea, decaffeinated coffee and kombucha can be of help. However, research conducted by the Marywood University suggests that certain teas such as black tea, green tea, yerba mate and mate tea should be avoided as these can still contain caffeine in certain amounts.
In addition, it is important to remember that certain foods and drinks containing chocolate, such as hot cocoa or some desserts, can also contain levels of caffeine that can enter the baby’s system, and as such should be avoided.
Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that some supplements, such as guarana, commonly found in energy drinks, can also contain caffeine, and as such should be avoided as well.
Conclusion
It is important for mothers to understand the possible effects that coffee consumption can have on the baby when breastfeeding in order to make an educated decision on the matter. Studies suggest that there can be both, positive and negative effects of caffeine consumption while breastfeeding, and as such the consumption of coffee should be moderated, as any excessive amounts can lead to adverse affects in the baby. Alternatives such as green tea, decaffeinated coffee and other drinks are seen as solutions to help reduce caffeine consumption while breastfeeding.
