Caffeine while breast feeding?

TreatsMcGee

I haven't delivered yet, but I'm very curious about what the allowed amount of caffeine is while breastfeeding. Are there any restrictions? 

xche

 

from https://www.babycenter.com/0_breast-milk-interactions-chart_8788.bc?page=2

Taking in more than 300 mg of caffeine a day (about the amount in a 12-ounce cup of coffee) might affect your baby. When caffeine enters your bloodstream, a small amount of it ends up in your breast milk. Your baby's body can't easily break down and excrete caffeine, especially in the first few months of life, so over time it may accumulate in her system. In the meantime, it may make her irritable and unable to sleep.

Limit your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg per day. Keep in mind that in addition to coffee, tea, and energy drinks, soft drinks and dark chocolate also contain significant amounts of caffeine. Check our caffeine chart to see how much is in popular beverages and foods.

I usually have a cup of coffee or a Mountain Dew a day and it doesn't seem to affect LO at all.. GL

Diva416

I've heard it depends on the baby.  My LO does not seem effected by my caffeine intake - thank goodness!  I try not to drink a lot, but I will have 2-3 diet sodas in a day sometimes without any change in her behavior.  I drank 1 caffinated drink a day while pregnant (approved by my doctor due to migraines), and I have read that can help the baby tolerate some caffeine while BF also.

mamafoxX2

So glad to see this...

I had a Frappe the other day and my LO had a horrible day of fussiness and everyone around me blamed it on me drinking the Frappe. I say she just was having a bad day- this would confirm my theory.

xpedite

I had a peppermint mocha and what followed was the absolute worst 18 hours of my kid's life, but I have a mt. dew a day and that doesn't seem to bother him.

anniebet619

I didn't drink any the first few weeks then introduced it by having coffee in the morning.  It didn't effect LO at all but I hear some babies can't handle it.  I like to have a big mug so I do make it a bit weaker than I normally would.

czaja125

Kelly Mom is the best website for all your bf questions!

https://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/caffeine.html 

Kellina

Depends on the baby- DS1 was very sensitive to it- this one seems unaffected so far! I have a large cup of coffee in the morning, and I also had a diet coke at lunch too today- no problems!

IncogNeato

I had a half caff this morning and LO has barely woken all day so I guess it doesnt affect her.

torii

I second the pp who suggested kellymom.com. I drink one soda a day, usually midmorning to early afternoon. I drink weakened iced tea all day and did while pregnant. LO doesn't seem to be affected by it and is a great sleeper. I definitely wouldn't have a latte in the evening though, just in case!

sillypit

mamafoxX2:

So glad to see this...

I had a Frappe the other day and my LO had a horrible day of fussiness and everyone around me blamed it on me drinking the Frappe. I say she just was having a bad day- this would confirm my theory.

Not necessarily, some babies are extremely sensitive to caffeine.  I can't have ANY or my baby goes crazy.