Caffeine Consumption While Breastfeeding – I’m A Mom
Caffeine consumption during breastfeeding is not an issue that is considered prohibited. There are many myths about coffee, especially in relation to preconception and pregnancy. What is said about coffee consumption during breastfeeding? Is it good or bad? Can it affect us in any way?
Apparently each person has their own answer to these questions. Coffee can be good for some and bad for others. There are many proven benefits of caffeine; however, there are also many
lies
.
Top Myths About Caffeine
● It causes addiction. According to experts, the body quickly gets used to the consumption of caffeine. So sometimes the need to do it often. However, it can also be easily left.
● It is harmful to children. Small amounts of coffee should not cause problems for children. On the contrary, it is believed that certain doses of caffeine benefit the concentration and attention of little ones.
● It makes us fat. Coffee alone cannot make us fat. In any case, what causes an increase in the calories we consume is when we add milk or cream, and large amounts of sugar.
● It harms pregnant women. High amounts of
caffeine
they can affect concentration and make the pregnant woman more nervous. It can also affect the baby, who could be more restless. However, moderate consumption of coffee during pregnancy will not have major consequences.
● Caffeine helps burn calories. It is a myth that coffee consumption helps with sports performance. For this reason some people tend to drink coffee before making a
sport
.
Caffeine and breastfeeding, friend or foe?
From the beginning of pregnancy, the woman begins to drink coffee in moderation. In most cases it is by choice, but sometimes it should be indicated to reduce caffeine levels. It all depends on the amount of coffee we drink per day. It also happens that it can cause more nausea or stomach acidity due to
gestation
.
This situation continues throughout the entire process, we even got used to leaving him. So what happens after the baby is born? At what point should we go back to the coffee-drinking routine?
After delivery, it takes us a long time to return to normality, especially when breastfeeding begins immediately. The breastfeeding woman’s diet must also adapt to the situation, which is different from pregnancy, but which has its keys.
Experts grouped by the Pan American Pediatrics Association explain that coffee is indeed safe during breastfeeding. Despite this, we know that excesses are never good. Caffeine can be found mainly in coffee, but some teas and
soft drinks
they can also contain it. 
If we exceed the amount of caffeine this could affect us in some way. Sometimes it causes insomnia, difficulty staying asleep, nervousness or stomach problems. It is possible that some of these symptoms affect the baby as well.
Also, it is considered that some people are more sensitive to this substance. Therefore, there are babies that can present sequelae due to a minimum ingestion through the mother. Likewise, some children can be quite tolerant without it affecting them at all.
Can caffeine damage breast milk?
Any caffeinated beverage that reaches the nursing mother’s body passes immediately into her milk.
About ninety minutes after ingestion is when the highest peaks of this substance in the body are located. That’s why it’s calculated that at least 10% of caffeine that the mother ingests comes directly to the
drink
.
If we consider that babies’ metabolism is much slower than that of an adult, then they will have caffeine in their bodies longer. From four months onwards, it can be said that the metabolic rate of babies matches adults. However, in the first few months, the infant may experience the effects of caffeine in milk.
Caffeine doesn’t damage milk, it just concentrates on it. It can affect the child because it spends too much time in their body. The more we have taken, the effects can be greater. In these cases, it is recommended to adjust the dose to three cups of coffee a day. However, as we said, all babies are different.
