After having a baby , sleeping through the night and feeling tired all day are all too familiar to new mothers. So, at a time like this, it's very normal to want to drink a good cup of strong coffee in the morning to get your body going, or a delicious milk tea in the evening. However, the biggest fear that comes to the mind of many mothers is, "Oh, will the things I'm drinking pass through my milk to my baby and cause him problems?" Today, let's talk about this thing everyone is talking about called caffeine.
Is it really safe to drink caffeine while breastfeeding?
Simply put, yes . You can consume caffeine while breastfeeding. But in moderation . Doctors recommend keeping your total caffeine intake to less than 300 milligrams (300mg) per day.
A very small amount of the caffeine you consume can pass into your breast milk. However, this amount can vary from mother to mother. Also, some babies may be more sensitive to caffeine than others.
How do you know if the caffeine you consume affects your baby?
Take a look to see if your baby has any of these symptoms:
- Frequent crying and irritability: If the baby is crying more often than usual and is difficult to comfort.
- Insomnia: If the baby has difficulty falling asleep, or if he wakes up again after a while.
- Hyperactivity: If you are constantly fidgeting and restless, not staying in one place.
- Restlessness : If the baby feels unwell.
The most important thing is that newborns are more sensitive to caffeine than older babies. This is because their little bodies take a long time to eliminate caffeine from their bodies. For example, it takes about 2.5 hours for a 6-month-old baby to eliminate half of the caffeine, while a newborn baby can have it in their system for several days.
Another thing is, if you're a regular coffee drinker, it can also have a small impact on the nutritional quality of your breast milk. Studies have found that the breast milk of mothers who drink about 3 cups of coffee a day may have about a third less iron than the breast milk of mothers who don't drink coffee.
What should you do if you think caffeine is causing problems for your baby?
If you think your baby is having trouble falling asleep or is fussing too much after drinking coffee or tea, you can try these things:
1. Manage your time: Feed your baby before drinking your coffee or tea. Then, wait at least 3 hours before feeding your baby again. During that time, your body has a chance to digest the caffeine, so the amount that ends up in your breast milk will be much less.
2. Reduce the quantity: If you drink three to four cups of coffee a day, try limiting it to one cup .
3. Stop for a while: If you can, stop caffeine completely until your baby is a few months old or you're done breastfeeding .
What kinds of things contain caffeine?
We said not to take more than 300 milligrams (300mg) per day. Now let's look at how much caffeine is in the things we usually drink. This will help you plan your day.
| Food / Drink | Average caffeine intake (in milligrams) |
|---|---|
| Coffee - a regular cup (240ml) | 95 - 100 mg |
| Black Tea - 1 cup | 45 - 50 mg |
| Green Tea - a cup | 25 - 30 mg |
| Some soft drinks (cola types) - one can | 30 - 40 mg |
| Energy Drinks - One can | 80 - 150 mg (or even more) |
| Dark Chocolate - 30 grams | 20 - 25 mg |
| Decaf Coffee - 1 cup | 2 - 5 mg |
In addition to this list, some painkillers (especially migraine medications) and weight loss supplements may also contain caffeine. Therefore, it is very important to read the label before you take anything.
What happens if you stop caffeine suddenly?
If you are a person who is used to drinking coffee or tea every day, do not stop it suddenly. If you do, you may experience several discomforts. We call this ``Caffeine withdrawal symptoms``. These can last from two to nine days.
So the best thing to do is to gradually reduce the amount . If you drink three cups a day, drink two for a week or two. Then go down to one. That way your body has time to get used to it.
Symptoms that may occur if you stop suddenly:
- Severe headache
- Feeling tired all the time
- Irritability and quick temper
- Difficulty concentrating on work
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
If you have these symptoms, and you have any concerns about your baby's behavior, the best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor . He or she can give you the best advice for you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Caffeine is generally safe for breastfeeding mothers, but limit your total daily intake to 300 milligrams (300mg). That's about 2-3 cups of strong coffee.
- Pay attention to whether your baby is more irritable or sleepy after consuming caffeine. Newborns are very sensitive to this.
- If you suspect that your baby is being affected, drink your coffee/tea after feeding your baby. Leave a gap of at least 3 hours before the next feeding.
- Caffeine is not only found in coffee and tea. It can also be found in chocolate, some soft drinks, energy drinks, and painkillers.
- If you are stopping or reducing your caffeine intake, don't do it all at once. Reduce it gradually to avoid side effects like headaches.
- If you have any doubts or questions, be sure to talk to your doctor.
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