Would drinking caffine while breastfeeding be harmful to the baby?

Question

In moderate amounts...

Answer 1

As long as you drink in moderate amounts, such as 2 cups of coffee or less or only a couple of soda's then it will be okay. Most of my herbal books say to completely avoid it while pregnant or nursing, but western medicine says that moderation is fine. Just know that anything over 2 cups is considered excessive. Also, remember that chocolate does have caffine in it and should be counted in your daily intake. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Most babies do fine if you limit your caffeine intake to 5 5 oz. cups per day or the equivalent amount of caffeine in soft drinks (about 500 mg. caffeine per day). Some babies are more sensitive than others, so if you see your baby has a reaction, cut back further. Another consideration is that if your baby is less than 3 months old, it takes her/him a lot longer to eliminate it, so even if you have to really limit the amount at the very beginning, your baby may tolerate higher amounts later on.

Answer 3

Does the caffeine I eat or drink get into my breast milk? Could it harm my baby?


Caffeine does enter your bloodstream, and some portion of what you eat or drink appears in your breast milk. If you consume more than 400 mg of caffeine a day (about what you'd get in four mugs of coffee), it might affect your baby. That's why it's probably best to restrict your intake while breastfeeding.

Though one or two cups of coffee, tea, or cola isn't likely to affect either of you, more might make one or both of you irritable, jittery, agitated, and sleepless. If you want to have a cup or two of coffee or tea a day while breastfeeding, make a conscious effort to drink at least eight glasses of water every day as well (good advice whether or not you're taking in caffeine).

And if the caffeine seems to bother your baby, abstain for a bit until after you've weaned her to drink it again. If you decide you want to kick the caffeine habit, click here for tips.


How much caffeine is in my favourite foods and drinks?


You might be surprised how easily you can get a big dose of caffeine. This chart highlights just a few common foods and drinks that contain the stimulant.

Item Amount Caffeine
Diner coffee 8.3 fluid oz. / 237 ml 350 mg
Gourmet coffee 8.3 fluid oz. / 237 ml 175 mg
Brewed coffee 5.2 fluid oz. / 148 ml 105 to 115 mg
Espresso single 100 mg
Cappuccino single 100 mg
Instant coffee 6.3 fluid oz. / 177 ml 57 mg
Decaffeinated coffee 5.2 fluid oz. / 148 ml 5 mg
Brewed tea 6.3 fluid oz. / 177 ml 20 to 110 mg
Iced tea 12.5 fluid oz. / 355 ml 70 mg
Instant tea 7.3 fluid oz. / 207 ml 30 mg
Cola 1 x can / 330 ml 30 to 56 mg
Diet cola 1 x can / 330 ml 38 to 45 mg
Sprite and 7-Up 1 x can / 330 ml 0 mg
Chocolate 2 oz. / 57g 10 to 50 mg
Cocoa 5 oz. cup / 142 g 4 mg

Answer 4

In moderate amounts. You'll know that you are drinking too much by the baby's waste production - I learned that the hard way.
Keep it moderate and you will both be fine.

Answer 5

this website says that no more than five cups of coffee (with caffeine) per day. Make sure to count all sources of caffeine, such as teas, soft drinks, pain relievers, stimulants and chocolate (which produces the same effect as caffeine). If a nursing mom consumes more than five cups of coffee a day it could accumulate in her baby's system, resulting in overstimulation. This may cause wakefulness and irritability in the baby.

The caffeine in one cup of coffee per day should pose no problem for your baby. If you suspect he is affected by your caffeine intake you can abstain for a week or so and observe any changes. Enjoy!

Answer 6

In moderate amounts.. no. Just don't spill any hot coffee on the baby

Answer 7

no but usually if it's not healthy for adults it's not good for the baby!!! When I breasfeed I don't drink or eat things that are not healthy. Like tons of junk food, caffine, or alcohol

Answer 8

It depends on you. I'm breastfeeding now and have problems with almost everything I eat. Caffeine, dairy, spices, etc.. are bothering my baby right now. But I do have friends who ate whatever, drank whatever, and even smoked while breastfeeding and it didn't bother their baby at all.

Answer 9

I would cut out the caffiene completely. I know it is tough, I love my coffee and diet coke. The caffiene can really upset a babies stomach. Not all babies but some, and yours might be one that it does. I would avoid spicy food and chocolate, too.

Answer 10

What baby?? I'm trying to figure out how to get a nipple AND a coffee cup in my mouth at the same time....