Should nursing mothers use caffeine?

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Caffeine is a compound found in certain plants that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It can improve alertness and energy levels. Although caffeine is considered safe and may even have health benefits, many mothers wonder about the safety of caffeine while breastfeeding. So should nursing mothers use caffeine?

1. Should nursing mothers use caffeine?

The answer is yes, but do not abuse them. After caffeine is ingested, it enters the bloodstream, and a small amount (usually less than 1%) is excreted in breast milk. The amount of caffeine in milk will peak a few hours after drinking.
Many experts say that a moderate amount of caffeine (no more than 300 milligrams per day, or about 500ml of coffee) is fine for nursing mothers and should not cause changes in most infant behaviours. born. But drinking more than 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day can make both mother and infant irritable, restless or agitated and can contribute to sleep problems.
Each different child will have differences in the metabolism of substances. If your child seems uncomfortable when you drink only small amounts of caffeine, you should eliminate caffeine from your diet to see if your child's response is due to the caffeine or something else.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that nursing mothers should have no more than 3 cups of coffee a day and that it is safe for a nursing mother to have one cup of coffee a day.

2. Does drinking caffeine reduce breast milk production?

There is no evidence that caffeine reduces breast milk supply. Researchers found that several studies of caffeine intake in lactating mothers and years of clinical observation did not report adverse effects in terms of decreased breast milk production.

3. How much caffeine is safe for nursing mothers?

Although infants cannot process caffeine as quickly as adults, nursing mothers can still consume moderate amounts.
You can safely drink up to 300 mg of caffeine per day - or the equivalent of two to three cups (470–710 ml) of coffee. Based on current research, caffeine consumption within these limits while breastfeeding is unlikely to harm an infant.
A study of 885 infants showed an association between mothers consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine per day and an increase in the infant's nighttime awakening frequency.
When nursing mothers consume more than 300 mg of caffeine per day - such as more than 10 cups of coffee - infants may be fussy and restless in addition to sleep disturbances.
Moreover, consuming too much caffeine can cause negative effects on the mother herself, such as: Anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, dizziness and insomnia.

4. What foods and drinks contain caffeine?

The most popular caffeinated beverage is coffee. The amount of caffeine in a serving of coffee varies widely, depending on the type of bean, how it's roasted, how it's brewed - and, obviously, on the size of the cup.
However, to control caffeine intake, you need to be mindful of other food sources, such as: Tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate and coffee ice cream. Caffeine also appears in herbal products and some over-the-counter medicines, including some remedies for headaches, colds, and allergies.
Here is the amount of caffeine in common foods and drinks, you can refer to:

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Reference source: babycenter.com