Effect Of Caffeine On The Baby During Breastfeeding
Many pregnant or breastfeeding mothers like to drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages throughout the day without stopping to think about the effect of caffeine on the baby.
Caffeine intake during pregnancy is directly related to miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. There are also many beliefs about the effects of caffeine on infants. It is normal for a mother to think about how caffeine can affect a young baby when she starts breastfeeding.
Although caffeine intake is not prohibited during breastfeeding, it is important to know that caffeine can pass into breast milk and thus into the baby’s body. For this reason, many experts recommend replacing caffeine with water or organic fruit juices.
Effect of caffeine on the baby during breastfeeding
Although some people consider it safe to drink coffee during breastfeeding, a mother’s excessive use of caffeine can have negative effects on her baby:
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Nervousness
- Irritability
It should also be clarified that some babies are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Therefore, the side effects of caffeine mentioned above may be more severe than usual in some children. In addition, it is important to remember that caffeine stays in the baby’s body for much longer than in the adult’s body because her body is not yet able to remove caffeine effectively.
A study of the relationship between caffeine and breastfeeding
Ina Santos, a student at Pelotas Federal University in Brazil, recently conducted a study looking at the effects of caffeine on three-month-old babies. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that as long as the amount of caffeine a mother consumes daily remains moderate, it has no effect on the child’s mood or sleep rhythm.
The study was conducted by interviewing about nine hundred mothers about their caffeine use and the sleep quality of their three-month-old children. All but one of the subjects in the study reported consuming caffeine during breastfeeding. 14.3% of mothers admitted to consuming too much caffeine during breastfeeding.
The researchers found no direct link between caffeine intake and sleep problems in babies. They received evidence that moderate maternal caffeine use during pregnancy and lactation is safe for both mother and baby.
How much coffee can you drink while breastfeeding?
Studies show that 0.8-1 dl of coffee a day is not yet seen in mother’s breast milk. Experts recommend a maximum daily dose of 3 dl of coffee.
If the mother stays within these limits, the amount of caffeine the baby receives will not be large enough to affect the child’s mood or sleep intake.
This is especially true for coffee, but it must be remembered that other foods and beverages may also contain caffeine. Therefore, a breastfeeding mother needs to pay attention to the ingredients in the foods and drinks she is consuming and monitor her overall caffeine intake.
The baby’s body is very sensitive, so excessive caffeine can cause great harm to the baby. Restricting caffeine intake helps mothers take care of both their own and their child’s health.
Although breastfeeding brings its own challenges, it does not last forever. Giving up caffeine may seem boring, but your child is definitely worth this small sacrifice. He deserves it and much more.
