Breastfeeding can be exhausting, especially in the early days when the baby sleeps irregularly and wakes up several times each night. A morning cup of coffee can give the mother a boost of energy, but does caffeine affect the baby? What is the safe amount of caffeine during breastfeeding?
Unlike the advice regarding caffeine during pregnancy, it's unlikely that caffeine will affect breast milk. The body breaks down most of the caffeine found in coffee before it reaches breast milk or has a chance to affect the baby. According to studies, only 1 percent of the caffeine a breastfeeding mother consumes reaches breast milk, which is not enough to harm the baby. However, some infants are more sensitive to small amounts of caffeine than others.
In general, if you are drinking two cups or more a day, it is unlikely to cause harm to the little one. However, if the number of coffee cups exceeds moderation, it can lead to issues such as discomfort and restlessness.
Caffeine levels peak in breast milk one to two hours after consumption, so you can monitor the effects of caffeine on the infant who breastfed after you had coffee an hour prior.
**Iron**
If you are drinking coffee frequently while breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor regarding iron supplements, as the levels of this mineral in breast milk are naturally low, and caffeine consumption can significantly decrease them.
**Decaffeinated Coffee**
While the caffeine content in decaffeinated coffee is much lower, it is also more acidic, which can affect breast milk and, in turn, the baby, making it not the ideal choice.
**Other Sources of Caffeine**
Coffee is not the only source of caffeine; it just contains a significant amount of it. If you are concerned about the effects of caffeine on the baby, you should monitor other sources, such as energy drinks, black, green, and white tea, cola beverages, chocolate, and cocoa products.
