For many, a cup of fragrant coffee in the morning is a favorite way to perk up for the day ahead. But is it safe to have coffee if you are breastfeeding?
How many cups of coffee can I enjoy if I'm breastfeeding?
Doctors recommend nursing mothers limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day [1, 2]. This amounts to about two cups of instant or brewed coffee (200-230 ml or 8 oz each) [3].
This level of caffeine poses no risk to a nursing baby. However, it's important to remember that caffeine is found in other sources as well.
Here's what 200 mg of caffeine looks like in different foods and drinks:
two cups of black tea;
two cans of energy drink (250 ml or 8.4 oz each);
five cans of Cola (330 ml or 11 oz each);
400 g or 14 oz of dark chocolate [3, 4].
Is caffeine always okay for babies?
If you drink coffee within the recommended amounts, the caffeine in your breast milk is minimal, and most babies won't react to it.
However, if you drink ten or more cups a day, your baby may become moody, irritable, restless, or have trouble sleeping [5, 6]. Too much caffeine can also lower the iron in breast milk, which raises the risk of iron deficiency anemia [6].
Stick to the recommended caffeine limits. If your baby shows changes in behavior after you have caffeine, consider avoiding caffeinated drinks and foods. Symptoms should pass quickly [6].
Are there any situations in which nursing mothers should not drink coffee?
Yes, newborns (up to one month old) and premature babies are usually very sensitive to caffeine [5]. In these cases, a nursing mother should check with her doctor about having coffee or consider giving it up entirely for a while.
