Can You Drink Coffee While Breastfeeding?

Today, we’re going to ask the question:

Yes, you can drink coffee whilst breastfeeding, but it's important to be cautious and monitor your caffeine intake.

There is a lot of focus on the effects of caffeine on the foetus whilst pregnant and the general consensus is that it is sensible to reduce your caffeine intake whilst pregnant.

Decaffeinated coffee can be a great way to still drink coffee, but without the caffeine, and this is recognised by many doctors, in particular Swiss Water Decaf coffee, which uses only water to decaffeinate coffee and is 99.9% caffeine free.

But, what about drinking coffee whilst you’re breastfeeding?

Whilst breastfeeding, it’s also sensible to be aware of caffeine consumption, since it may adversely affect your breastfeeding baby.

The American Academy of Paediatrics states that moderate caffeine consumption during breastfeeding, which is two cups a day, should pose no effect on a nursing baby. But, more than 2-3 cups a day may start having effects on the baby.

There is also a myth that caffeine decreases the mother’s ability to produce milk, which is not supported by any fact and is an old wives tale. Indeed, one study by Nehlig & Debry in 1994 shows that caffeine can actually stimulate milk production.

So, it’s good to know that caffeine in small doses won’t harm the baby through breastfeeding…

Having said all of that, it must be stated that some babies are more sensitive to caffeine and have been shown to have greater irritability or turn colic. In a few cases, babies cannot efficiently eliminate caffeine from the body, which results in jitteriness, insomnia and constipation.

So, it may be sensible to be more cautious and stick to a cup a day or, indeed, it may be better to simply switch to decaf coffee whilst you’re breastfeeding.

It’s absolutely fine to drink decaf coffee whilst breastfeeding. In fact, there are even some health benefits to it, such as being high in antioxidants such as hydro cinnamic acids and polyphenols, as well as potassium magnesium and vitamin B3.

The other thing to consider is that caffeine is found in other food and drinks, such as soft drinks, chocolate and tea, so it’s possible to consume more caffeine than you think.

Here at DecadentDecaf.com, we recommend the Swiss Water Process of decaffeination, which uses water (no chemicals) to decaffeinate the coffee beans and is 99.9% caffeine free.

To find out more, please visit decadentdecaf or check out our youtube channel for more videos on decaf, caffeine and coffee topics.

IMPORTANT: This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. Nothing in the content or products should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs.