Being a mom is tiresome and sometimes your baby can have more energy than you do. To keep yourself energized, you might grab something to eat or drink that has caffeine in it. However this can affect your breastmilk supply and how your child breastfeeds. Read on to learn how much caffeine is safe to drink while breastfeeding.
How much caffeine is safe to drink while breastfeeding?
When you constantly consuming caffeine products you are increasing the chances of it getting into your breastmilk supply and passing it on to your baby. It is okay to consume 200-300 mg of caffeine or 2 or 3 cups of coffee each day. However doing so will leave traces of caffeine in your breastmilk which your baby can consume. This can affect how they breastfeed. Some studies have shown that caffeine actually promote breastmilk production. However these findings need to be researched further.
How long should you wait to breastfeed your baby after drinking caffeine?
If you want to reduce the changes of your baby getting exposed to caffeine, make sure that you pump or have milk available before having your cup of coffee. After 3 hours your body should have had time to break down the caffeine and not pass it along to your breastmilk. You can also reduce the amount of caffeine you consume to reduce the chances of your baby consuming it.
Is caffeine in your breastmilk harmful to your baby?
Although your baby cannot consume enough caffeine through your breastmilk to be harmful, it can have a negative impact on how they feed. They can become jittery, agitated, and have problems falling and staying asleep. Babies who are 6 months and younger are more sensitive to caffeine so keep that in mind when you make that second cup of coffee.
Alternatives to Consuming Caffeine
Eating a balance diet can help you maintain energy throughout the day while you care for your baby. You can also try different herbal teas. They tend to have less caffeine in them than traditional coffee. If you must have your cup of Joe try decaf. It has significant less caffeine in it.
