During breastfeeding, coffee can be added to the diet in small quantities. You should not replace a natural drink with instant coffee or green tea, since the concentration of caffeine in them is even higher than in high-quality coffee; A decaffeinated drink is also harmful because it contains a large amount of cholesterol. Before introducing coffee into your diet, you should consult your doctor. It’s also not worth giving up your favorite drink at all, unless there are contraindications, otherwise there will be stress for the body.
Coffee - benefits and harm
The question of whether coffee is ok while breastfeeding is decided individually.
A small cup of a drink made from high quality grains will not cause harm to your health. Coffee is used to cheer up. The drink has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. It is indicated for hypotension, as it helps increase blood pressure and can relieve migraines. The composition includes vitamins and amino acids.
Excess is harmful. If you drink coffee in unlimited quantities, you will create unnecessary stress on the heart. Coffee is contraindicated for hypertension. Excessive consumption can cause caffeine addiction.
The effect of caffeine on the baby
The appearance of side effects and dangerous consequences is possible when drinking coffee regularly while breastfeeding in large quantities. Caffeine will enter the baby's body through mother's milk. The negative effect of coffee on the baby’s body can manifest itself in the following:
- Caffeine is eliminated from the body of an adult within 5 hours. During the first 2 years of a baby’s life, his digestive system does not process harmful substances and does not eliminate them. The substance accumulates. Because of this, the child may be too excited, capricious, and misbehave.
- An allergic reaction is possible. Caffeine is not a strong allergen, but in rare cases, individual intolerance, an allergy to coffee, may occur. The diuretic effect can also cause harm to the baby: the child will experience dehydration, and useful substances will be washed out of the body with urine.
- The stimulant is dangerous for babies because it reduces the amount of iron in breast milk. This can cause the newborn to become anemic.
The reaction is individual and may be absent. Negative consequences are possible, but there is a high probability that the child’s body will respond normally to a small dose of caffeine.
Coffee ingested through breast milk can cause your baby to become capricious.
Decaf for nursing mothers: harm or benefit?
The beans contain not only caffeine alkaloid, but also many other components, such as:
- tannins, as well as resins;
- natural acids;
- essential oils.
In this regard, when using decaffeinated coffee, a nursing mother should remember that in high concentrations these substances can harm the baby, especially when he is in the womb.
Cafestol, also a component of grains, promotes the production of cholesterol, which can cause the formation of plaques (atherosclerotic) in the blood vessels of the expectant mother.
During the decaffeination process, caffeine does not completely disappear, and negative effects on the body can be observed after the fifth cup consumed in one day.
Decaffeinated coffee during breastfeeding, as well as during pregnancy, leaches calcium, which is essential for the baby to form bones. Based on this, each woman must decide for herself whether she should drink the drink, succumbing to her own weaknesses, or better take care of the health of the child.
Why breastfeeding women should not drink coffee - contraindications
Coffee is prohibited for nursing mothers if the baby has a negative reaction after feeding. If the baby or mother has been prescribed medications, you should consult your doctor: some medications are incompatible with caffeine and side effects may occur.
Start taking the drink with small cups, monitoring the baby's reaction. If your child shows signs of increased anxiety or allergies, stop immediately and try again in 3-4 weeks, when the baby is a little older. Some maternal diseases are also contraindications: hypertension, heart and vascular diseases.
Can I drink coffee while breastfeeding?
When breastfeeding, coffee consumption should be limited.
Although several years ago doctors answered the question in the negative whether nursing mothers of newborns can drink coffee, now the rules are not so strict. In the first months of a baby’s life, it is better to reduce consumption: the baby’s digestive system is not yet sufficiently developed and some foods introduced into the mother’s diet can cause indigestion in the baby.
It is acceptable for a nursing mother to drink a small amount of her favorite drink. It is important to follow the dosage. It is better to select them individually, since the bodies of different women and babies are different, and the reactions to the same portion will be different.
The effect of caffeine on a baby - why is coffee dangerous during breastfeeding?
All the numerous debates about the dangers of coffee for nursing mothers are based on several statements:
- Caffeine causes increased excitability and is harmful to the nervous system of an infant;
- Caffeine is not eliminated from the child’s body during the first years of life, which leads to its accumulation - and this is very dangerous for the baby;
- Instant coffee contains dyes and preservatives that can cause an allergic reaction in the baby;
- Coffee prevents calcium from being absorbed in the body and promotes its rapid elimination, which is unacceptable for a nursing mother.
Important! Despite all the prohibitions, WHO does not prohibit pregnant and nursing mothers from drinking coffee; it only limits the amount to 3 cups per day. At the same time, the health organization does not clarify the strength of the drink, its naturalness and the addition of ingredients such as milk.
What coffee to drink and what not to drink
The choice of drink plays a big role. Not all types have the same effect on the body. Coffee during breastfeeding should be natural. It’s better to brew it yourself at home: this way you’ll be sure that no prohibited ingredients have gotten into your mug.
Important! Drink a drink made only from high-quality raw materials. Do not buy cheaper grains: they are often incorrectly processed or collected, or stored incorrectly.
Freshly ground from coffee beans
If you are going to drink coffee while breastfeeding, opt for natural coffee. To reduce the amount of caffeine, you can not boil the ground beans, but pour boiling water over them and leave for 5 minutes to brew. Then strain through a fine strainer to remove the grounds.
Choose Arabica beans. If you buy unprepared beans, roast them yourself at home. Heavily fried varieties are safer during lactation. Do not buy ground beans: it is better to grind the beans yourself at home to reduce the caffeine content in the resulting drink.
Can a nursing mother have coffee with milk?
For breastfeeding women, lattes and cappuccinos are healthier than espresso and Americanos. Milk or cream will help restore the calcium deficiency that occurs due to the consumption of caffeine-containing products and will enrich the girl’s diet with animal proteins.
These drinks are not suitable for mothers who are lactose intolerant. Treat these products with caution and monitor your baby's reaction: some children may not tolerate their mother's consumption of dairy products. If dairy is not an option for you, you can add a small amount of plant-based milk to your cup: soy, coconut, oat or almond. Plant milk does not contain lactose. It will give the coffee a softer taste without harming the baby.
Important! Although the caffeine content of lattes is low, you can drink coffee drinks with cream or milk no more than 2 times a day. It is better to do this in the first half of the day. You should not order them in coffee shops, as they often add too much syrup and sugar to the drinks.
If you really want coffee, try diluting it with milk.
Decaffeinated coffee
Decaffeinated coffee is not advisable during breastfeeding, since the substance is present in its composition, although in smaller quantities. This drink is dangerous due to the large amount of cholesterol. In addition, it is less natural and is often treated with chemical solutions.
On a note! The analogue has a taste different from the original.
Instant coffee
Instant coffee is contraindicated during breastfeeding. This drink is made from grains that have gone through several stages of processing. In the process, raw materials lose 85% of the initially beneficial substances they contain. Caffeine remains, its concentration in the resulting granules is too high. An artificial substitute is harmful to any person, and can be dangerous for a baby feeding on breast milk.
The caffeine content in this artificial substitute is higher than in the drink made from beans. It was invented as a cheaper raw material to satisfy the stimulant needs of caffeine-dependent people. For a nursing mother, coffee will be less harmful than a substitute.
Green coffee
For a nursing mother, this option is suitable if the baby is at least six months old. Due to the lack of special processing, grains retain more nutrients. The drink helps control appetite, but getting rid of excess weight, which often accompanies the postpartum period, will only help after hormonal levels are restored. Do not place high hopes on the drug; it will only give effect along with proper nutrition and regular exercise.
A nursing woman can afford green coffee only after the baby reaches six months.
Breastfeeding and coffee
This invigorating drink contains useful vitamins, fiber and microelements:
- tannin;
- coffee oil;
- amino acids;
- vitamins PP, B1, B2.
Coffee is an antiseptic due to phenolic compounds. And here is a set of acids:
- chlorogenic;
- lemon;
- coffee;
- apple
But because of the caffeine, they try not to drink coffee. Just a fear that the drink will harm the kids. In terms of the state of their nervous system. That the kids will become nervous and anxious. They will have poor sleep and will not develop properly.
Drinking coffee is not recommended, but not for these reasons.
Important! Children's bodies are designed in such a way that coffee is not absorbed or excreted.
If an adult’s body is without a trace of this drink after 5-6 hours, then a child’s body will need a week. And the child can get sick if caffeine constantly accumulates. But this can happen if mommy drinks a large amount.
Breastfeeding and caffeine don't mix. But this substance is also found in chocolate, various teas, and cocoa. And no one is going to remove these products from the diet.
In the last century, there was a categorical “no” to coffee. Now there is a softer point of view. Cappuccino during breastfeeding, like a number of other coffee drinks, is no longer prohibited, but simply recommended to be drunk in moderation. And slowly introduce it into your diet during G.V.
What should coffee lovers do?
You shouldn’t completely give up your favorite drink while breastfeeding. For the first 1-2 months it is better to refrain from using it, then you can return it to the diet in small quantities. It's worth starting with small portions. Drink half a small cup and wait 2-3 days. If during this time the baby does not react negatively, you can gradually increase the dosage to 1-2 small cups per day.
How to drink coffee for a nursing mother
When drinking coffee during breastfeeding, you should adhere to the following rules:
- It is recommended to take measures at home to reduce the amount of caffeine in beans. Grind the amount you intend to brew: a drink brewed from freshly ground grains contains a smaller amount of unhealthy substances. If there are no contraindications, add milk and cream.
Prefer coffee made from freshly ground beans - Caffeine causes dehydration. To prevent this phenomenon, drink at least 2-2.5 liters of clean water per day. For each mug of coffee there should be the same amount of water.
- Since caffeine passes into breast milk, it is best to drink your favorite beverage immediately after feeding. By the time the baby is next hungry, the concentration of the substance in breast milk will decrease. The answer to the question of how much caffeine is excreted from breast milk varies from person to person. Experts say that the concentration of the substance is highest in the first 1-2 hours after drinking the drink.
- It is better to drink coffee drinks in the morning, since during the day the metabolism is more active and the substance leaves the body faster. Do not drink at night: sleep problems may occur for both you and the baby. Drink in small glasses.
- Avoid sugar, syrups, sweeteners and other additives. They are harmful to a young mother and can cause an allergic reaction in the baby.
- Increase the amount of calcium-containing foods on your menu. Eat more dairy products: sour cream, cheeses, yoghurts. If your doctor allows it, add sesame seeds to your cereals and salads. Coffee drinks help wash calcium out of the body, which can harm both mother and baby. The number of products containing caffeine should be reduced: remove cocoa, chocolate, tea from the menu.
What happens to a child under the influence of caffeine?
The absorption of caffeine into breast milk is quite high. Moreover, it is eliminated from the baby’s body over a long period of time. If a nursing mother drinks coffee constantly and in large quantities, caffeine accumulates in the baby’s body, having a negative effect on it.
At different ages, children eliminate caffeine at different rates:
- premature babies - from 65 to 103 hours;
- up to three months - 80-97.5 hours;
- over 3 months - 14 hours;
- over 6 months - 2.5 hours.
The maximum level of caffeine in milk becomes an hour after drinking the drink. Pumping will not bring results. Until caffeine is eliminated from the mother's body, some of it will end up in the milk. And this takes an adult an average of up to 5 hours.
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When a child is fed breast milk with a large amount of caffeine, nervous excitability may increase, restlessness and anxiety may appear. The baby may have problems sleeping and calmness in general. The result is that the child sleeps poorly, cries a lot, and loses strength along with the mother and other family members.
The described manifestations are most often relevant if the mother abuses coffee while continuing to breastfeed. Moderate consumption of the drink may not have a negative effect on the baby, toning up and giving pleasure to the mother.
There are babies who subtly react even to a few sips of coffee made by their mother. In this case, you should limit yourself to drinking the drink until you finish breastfeeding.
How can you replace coffee during lactation?
In some cases, a woman has to look for a replacement for her favorite drink. Avoid drinking large quantities of green or black tea as they contain caffeine. Give preference to clean water and herbal teas and decoctions. Before choosing medicinal herbs, you should consult your doctor, since not all herbs are safe for nursing mothers.
Chicory
Chicory is a drink made from the plant of the same name. Its taste is reminiscent of coffee. This herbal decoction saturates the body with vitamins and microelements. It does not contain caffeine and does not harm the health of the newborn and young mother. The drink promotes the absorption of calcium, which coffee flushes from the body.
It should be entered into the menu with caution. Watch the baby's reaction. Avoid overuse as excess can be harmful.
Chicory drink can replace coffee
Komarovsky's opinion
When asked if nursing mothers can have coffee, Komarovsky replies that including the drink in the menu is acceptable if the baby does not show signs of anxiety and is physically healthy. If your child's health or behavior changes, stop drinking coffee. This ban is temporary; when breastfeeding comes to an end, you can return to your previous habits.
If your baby has a skin rash, digestive disorders, anxiety, or sleep problems, do not panic. Try to determine the cause of these phenomena. To do this, you should consult a doctor; independent attempts may harm the baby. The reaction may be caused by other foods the mother eats.
What Dr. Komarovsky says about coffee for nursing
The opinion of the authoritative pediatrician Komarovsky on any issue regarding children is of particular importance for many mothers. He also has his own point of view regarding whether nursing mothers should drink coffee, how much and when to give it up.
Let us note the doctor’s loyalty to everything related to the care and upbringing of the child. Komarovsky is sure that for full growth and development, the baby needs to be allowed to explore the world, and the mother needs to enjoy the process every day, every minute.
You might be wondering: Is it possible to drink coffee if you have a stomach ulcer or gastritis?
When asked by nursing mothers whether coffee is possible while breastfeeding and whether it is worth denying yourself such a little joy, the pediatrician answers simply: if the drink does not affect the baby’s behavior and health, the mother can afford several cups of really good coffee a day.
If, after consuming caffeine, your baby experiences the problems described below, you will have to give up the habit of drinking coffee for a while. A baby under the influence of caffeine may experience:
- increased anxiety and agitation;
- sleep problems;
- moodiness;
- skin rashes;
- disruptions in intestinal function.
Knowing the time during which coffee is excreted from breast milk, you can check whether caffeine is really the cause of allergic reactions and excitability in the child.
It is possible that negative reactions in the body were caused by an incorrect dosage of drugs whose structure is close to the structure of caffeine. An example of such drugs is theophylline or aminophylline. Medicines are prescribed to eliminate attacks of respiratory arrest in infants.
Additionally, Komarovsky reminds every nursing mother that caffeine in large quantities reduces the level of iron in milk, which leads to the development of anemia in the baby. Even if you don’t deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying a flavored drink, you need to do this with extreme caution, not forgetting about the baby’s health.
The doctor recommends drinking no more than two cups of good natural coffee a day during lactation, preferably with milk. In between natural ones, you can afford decaffeinated coffee while breastfeeding - barley-based or natural substitutes.
