Caffeine When Breastfeeding

I've been told by my doctor the less caffine the better. I notice with my daughter( 8 mo. ) that if I drink caffine it does keep her up later that night, passed her normal time she falls asleep.

With my first child I breastfed until she was 2. I know I drank some coffee during the 2nd year, but I don't remember when I started. With my 2nd child (who is nearly 2) I drank 1-2 cups after the first trimester of pregnancy all the way through her first year of life breastfeeding. I exclusivley breastfed until 6mo, when I started solids. Neither of my children ever received formula. I tried not to drink more that 2 cups a day. I am sure at times I drank a little more. She was always a beautiful sleeper. I did try to wait until after her first morning feeding, where she drank the most to have my morning brew. I know its probably not the best thing to do. But I know its not the worse. My parents generation everyone drank coffee. Both of my girls are very healthy and bright.

From what I understand it is okay to have a little caffeine everyday when breastfeeding. Even when pregnant, studies have shown that it is safe for women to have up to 300 mg of caffeine daily, which is equal to more than 3 cups of coffee. A mothers diet when breastfeeding isn't quite as strict when it comes to drugs because breastmilk distributes the drugs to the baby over a longer period of time than during pregnancy. So, from what I understand 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day should not cause any problems in your baby's growth and development. However, like mentioned by another mom, your baby could have a negative reaction to the caffeine, just as babies can have reactions to anything you consume.

There's a ton of conflicting information out there on this subject, and I seem to recall my doctor even giving me conflicting information with each kid. So I'll just share my personal experience. With two little ones less than 18 months apart (one who's just over 2 and one who's 7 months), caffeine, for me, was an absolute must. I was probably closer to three (or even four if I'm really being honest) cups of coffee per day during both pregnancies and breastfeeding without any complications.

I have one cup of coffee in the AM and that is it and it does not seem to make a difference in my munchkin who is nursing.

S.

The biggest problem with drinking caffeinated beverages when nursing is that you then tend to drink less water. Caffeine is also a diuretic. That being said, less water means less milk production.

what effects you will effect the baby. it is also schedules, environment, other siblings. my doctor said to not try drinking anything big like caffeine and soda it'll dry you out. if you need to contact your babys doctor and have them page the lactation nurse. make a meeting or ask your questions over the phone.

Caffeine is so bad for you! If you weren't a coffee drinker before, why in the world did you start? If you want more energy jog up and down the stairs a couple of times and eat an orange.

I had caffee from day one with my daughter and it never seemed to bother her at all. I would only have one or two cups a day, but she slept just fine. However, my friend can't have more than one cup or her son won't nap at all. I think it just depends on how you metabolize it and how your baby reacts to it.

If I recall right, my doctor said that 1 or 2 cups a day would be fine. However, both my boys spit up horribly if I had any caffeine at all, so I never tried it.

Dear M.,

No caffeine should be consumed while breast feeding. Something that is not good for mom is certainly worse for the fetus.