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Coffee while breastfeeding: from A to Z. Is it possible for a nursing mother to have coffee with milk Is it possible to have coffee for nursing mothers

27.04.2023

After a sleepless night spent in the company of a baby, any mother will want to cheer up with a cup of her favorite drink.

However, coffee during breastfeeding should be consumed deliberately and with knowledge of all restrictions.

What is harmful coffee

2. In addition, the invigorating drink is very allergenic. Even if the woman drinking it does not experience any symptoms, this does not mean that the body of the child will also be supportive of caffeine.

3. In addition to allergic reactions, coffee in breast milk can also be addictive. After all, you yourself hardly refuse it in the morning, and now you can pass this dependence on by inheritance.

Do not forget: caffeine is found in other drinks: coca-cola, energy drinks, black tea, cocoa and natural chocolate.

The use of all these products together can lead to an overdose of the substance and excessive nervousness, excitability. While both mother and her child should, on the contrary, relax and calm down.

Western doctors are not so categorical: they do not consider pregnancy a disease, and they do not try to force a woman who has given birth to give up everything in the world.

Therefore, local pediatricians allow their wards to drink 1-2 cups of coffee per day (not forgetting, however, other sources of caffeine, including painkillers).

If you have already eaten a bar of chocolate, washed it down with tea, and allowed yourself a glass of cola for an afternoon snack, then you should refuse a cup of coffee today.

In any case, you need to monitor the reaction of the baby.

If after drinking a drink you see a rash on the child or it seems to you that he has become more nervous, noisy, excited, then it is better to refuse coffee during breastfeeding.

Most likely, it is he who is the cause of changes in the behavior of the little one.

It is strictly forbidden to drink coffee while feeding a baby who is not even a month old. Such a tiny organism will not be able to digest and excrete caffeine, which means that it will accumulate inside.

It is better to completely refuse a soluble drink - it contains more caffeine, and it is made from grains of the lowest grade, while undergoing chemical processing.

If you have already decided to drink coffee, then only natural and 100%, the quality of which you have no doubt. It would be best to cook it yourself in a Turk, and even better - brew it “in Polish”: with boiling water and under the lid.

After drinking a cup of aromatic coffee, be sure to drink it with clean water. Everyone knows that in addition to vivacity, the drink brings with it dehydration. And maintaining the balance of fluid in the body is one of the most important tasks of a nursing mother.

How to replace coffee while breastfeeding

In many ways, it resembles coffee - in taste, color and energy effects. It has a rather beneficial effect on the body of a nursing mother. Drinking it is not just possible - it is even recommended by doctors.

And here the so-called "decaffeinated coffee" is not worth leaning.

Firstly, caffeine is still in it, albeit in a smaller amount.

Secondly, such a drink undergoes harmful chemical treatment and is not suitable for a nursing mother.

Coffee is a favorite drink that has taken one of the leading places in the system of food consumption in Russia. But in the life of most women there comes a crucial period when the usual drink raises the question: is it possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding.

The main consequence of taking the drink is its invigorating effect due to the presence of caffeine. Another directed effect of the product on a person is a diuretic, as a result of which thickening of the blood and an increase in the process of thrombosis can occur. The drink is useful for hypotensive patients and those suffering from migraines. But is it possible for a nursing mother to drink coffee is a moot point in some cases.

The effect of the drink on infants

Trying to figure out whether it is possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding, we will try to understand the nature of the impact of its components on the growing body of a child.

Of course, the impact on the child occurs through the milk of the mother drinking coffee during breastfeeding. In this case, the following consequences for the baby may occur:

  • under the influence of the caffeine contained in the drink, the child becomes restless and easily excitable;
  • the diuretic effect of coffee during lactation can lead to dehydration of the child's body;
  • if you drink a drink while breastfeeding and at the same time take drugs with caffeine, an overdose is almost inevitable;
  • a rash on the skin is possible, caused by caffeine accumulating in the body, since in the first months of life the baby’s still imperfect body cannot process it;

  • the substances contained in the drink contribute to the leaching of calcium from the body - the main building material for building the skeletal base and teeth.

But there is no need to make a tragedy out of the above points. Many pediatric nutritionists believe that nursing mothers can drink coffee. At the same time, it is necessary to show maximum attention to the child at the first drink intake, monitoring changes in the behavior and state of his body. The first dose should be limited in strength and quantity.

Features of taking coffee by nursing

Coffee during breastfeeding (HB) can be consumed, but with extreme caution on the part of a nursing mother. To do this, there are simple rules to follow, how to safely feed a child:

  • refrain from drinking coffee during the first three months after the birth of the baby. At this time, the baby is adapting to the outside world and the formation of internal organs is still ongoing;

  • if it is impossible to refuse a drink, then it should be taken in limited quantities in the first half of the day in order to avoid overexcitation in the child in the evening;
  • the intake of the drink must be coordinated with the feeding regimen of the baby, taking it immediately after breastfeeding. Caffeine enters breast milk after 1.5-2 hours. It should be remembered that expressing milk after drinking coffee does not give noticeable results;
  • drinking a drink during feeding, mom should increase the amount of fluid in the diet, given its diuretic effect;
  • it is necessary to increase the amount of foods with a high content of calcium to compensate for the losses associated with coffee intake;
  • the amount of drink taken should be limited to one cup every two days, giving time for the withdrawal of caffeine from the child's body;
  • Eliminate all foods containing caffeine from your diet.

Another question that worries women: is it possible for a nursing mother to have coffee with milk. Yes, on a general basis. Milk does not soften the effects of caffeine, but only slightly changes the taste of the drink.

fallback options

In any case, the first three months after the birth of a child, you need to do without your favorite drink. Here, many mothers are trying to find workarounds, in particular:

  • take a decaffeinated drink. Actually, it's self-deception. It contains caffeine, however, in small quantities. But how much does a baby of this substance need to harm a delicate organism;
  • women are wondering if chicory can be used as a coffee substitute. There are no contraindications to that. This product is often presented as a coffee drink. This is true only in relation to its taste characteristics. In terms of its effect on the body, its effect is exactly the opposite: if coffee excites, then chicory calms. It should be noted the positive effect of chicory on the pancreas. Chicory with HB is absolutely safe, but can coffee be replaced with it? You need to try, because this is definitely a permitted product.

If a new product has appeared in the store - a substitute, you need to carefully look at its composition. In addition to coffee, many drinks may contain flavor enhancers or flavorings, and these are definitely incompatible with breastfeeding.

Refusal of coffee during feeding is welcome. You can try to replace it with other products:

  • in the absence of allergic reactions in a child, try various herbal infusions;
  • herbal teas of various compositions will be useful;
  • it is useful to brew dill water, which has a laxative effect, it can be replaced with anise or cumin.

But in any case, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the child.

Of these options, chicory, which has a taste similar to coffee, should be recognized as the most permissible option. Over time, you can add a little natural coffee to it, gradually increasing the dose. Chicory itself is very useful and will help mom brighten up the restrictions.

It should be noted that the restriction in taste preferences in itself is stressful, which mommy should avoid.

How to choose coffee

So, we have established that while breastfeeding a child is allowed to take a little coffee. But the product used must be of guaranteed high quality. It is best to drink a freshly prepared natural drink from roasted and coarsely ground grains. In this form, the amount of caffeine in it will be limited.

The instant product should be avoided as it can contain much more caffeine than the natural product. Raw materials of low quality are often used for the production of instant varieties. To get the taste, increase the caffeine content. This is especially true for Chinese-made drinks. Taste qualities can also be enhanced by the use of flavorings and flavoring additives, which is unacceptable in our case. The question asked by women, is it possible to drink coffee to a nursing mother, in this situation requires an unambiguous negative answer.

Conclusion

The postpartum period in the life of the baby and his mother is the most responsible in life. Possible harm from familiar products can be an impetus for further diseases and developmental disabilities. Proper nutrition of the baby should be considered the determining factor in growth and development.

Where does the perfect day start? Almost everyone will answer that with a cup of hot coffee for breakfast.

For modern people living in a frantic rhythm, this is a daily ritual that gives strength, vigor, helps to wake up, gather one's thoughts, and increases efficiency several times.

Many young mothers cannot deny themselves this pleasure, while others, on the contrary, fearing to harm the child, refuse an invigorating drink.

Is it possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding, how will this affect the condition of the baby? Let's consider this question in more detail.

There are many myths about the dangers of caffeine during lactation. Most of all, young mothers are afraid that the baby’s nervous system will be damaged, and the child will lag behind their peers in development. But this is an erroneous opinion.

Coffee, indeed, is not included in the list of products that are useful for a newborn. On the body of a little man, this drink can have the following negative effects:

  1. Allergic reaction. It will manifest itself in the form of redness, the appearance of a rash on the skin of the child, as well as in stool retention. In this case, it is better to completely stop drinking the drink.
  2. Dehydration. Everyone knows that coffee has a strong diuretic effect. In addition, along with the fluid that leaves naturally, useful elements are removed that are necessary for a growing organism, for example, calcium, without which there will be problems with strengthening bones, growth, and muscle function.
  3. Excessive excitability, nervousness. Unlike a small child, an adult's body is able to process caffeine without much harm. The baby still does not know how to do this, so the side effect of caffeine can be expressed in restless behavior, sleep disturbance, bad mood.
  4. Not compatible with certain medications. Carefully analyze the composition of the funds that your doctor has prescribed for you. If there is caffeine in it, then it is better not to consume the drink, otherwise it may cause an overdose. Possible consequences of abuse: tachycardia, increased blood pressure, frequent urination, headache, shortness of breath. In this case, rest is recommended, and drinking more clean water.
  5. Reduces appetite, which can lead to underweight newborn, and this is highly undesirable for a developing baby.
  6. Causes addiction.

Can a breastfeeding mother drink coffee? Based on the foregoing, we conclude that for the safety of the child, it is better to refuse the drink, to less harmful analogues.

What can replace coffee during lactation

Without exception, all new products should be introduced into the daily diet very carefully, observing the change in the baby's condition. This also applies to safer “substitutes” for coffee, which include:

  • chicory;
  • Herb tea;
  • barley and acorn coffee.

A barley-based drink is considered an excellent alternative to classic coffee. It tastes milder, but at times safer and healthier. Barley has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes the microflora, is allowed for use in certain diseases: gastritis, ulcers, dysbacteriosis.

Thanks to this drink, carbohydrates are absorbed more slowly, which helps to maintain a normal figure. The load from the pancreas is also removed, the level of glucose in the human blood does not increase, and the risk of diabetes is reduced. Magnesium, calcium and vitamins contained in cereal have a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Also, a drink from barley grains is taken for colds, inflammatory processes.

Barley coffee is useful for athletes, as it increases strength, endurance, but at the same time does not affect the nervous system.

Cocoa can also be consumed in small amounts, as it improves lactation, but be aware that this is an allergenic product.

Many mistakenly believe that drinking green tea during lactation is much healthier, but few people know that the caffeine content is higher in it. Therefore, without measure, it should not be used.

Tips for moms who drink coffee while breastfeeding

If you still decide that you cannot refuse this product and live without coffee for a day, then try to always fulfill the following conditions:

  • Do not drink coffee for at least the first 2-3 months after the birth of a child: a newborn girl, like a boy, is simply not ready for such loads. For a one-month-old baby, this will cause stress, as well as problems with the digestive tract.
  • Do not drink coffee immediately before breastfeeding! The ideal time is after the morning feed. Then it will be possible not to be afraid of the baby's hyperactivity, he will be able to fall asleep without problems.
  • To reduce the risk of negative manifestations, it is recommended to drink brewed coffee with milk (if the newborn does not have lactose intolerance).
  • Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.
  • Include cottage cheese and other dairy products containing calcium in your diet.
  • Drink no more than 1 cup per day.
  • Try to limit your intake of other caffeinated foods: dark chocolate, green or black tea, cocoa.
  • Brew a weak drink.

How to choose the right coffee for a nursing mother


Not so long ago, many of us learned about another advertised "miracle" product that can cure diseases and help lose weight - green coffee. What does he represent himself? These are grains that have not undergone heat treatment, that is, unroasted. Raw coffee has a much higher amount of caffeine, so drinking this drink can cause indigestion, increase the level of acidity in it, which will lead to gastritis and ulcers.

Postpone worries about your figure to a later date, now the most important thing is your health and your baby.

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications include the following:

  • prematurity of the baby;
  • kidney disease;
  • increased pressure (arterial and intraocular);
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • insomnia;
  • anemia.

If the newborn has been diagnosed with this, then coffee should be excluded from the diet, as it causes iron deficiency in breast milk. The consequences can be very disappointing: developmental delay (physical and mental), insufficient weight gain, poor growth and hair loss, brittle nails, frequent colds, decreased immunity.

Before introducing a new product into the diet, you must understand all the risks and the possible outcome of events. Observe the state of the child, his reaction to what is happening. The characteristics of the parent and the baby should be taken into account: the state of physical health, individual tolerance of the components.

Remember that the main thing is moderation in everything. In the absence of contraindications, you can drink coffee, but not often and in very small quantities. Try, if possible, to replace the flavored drink with safer analogues.

Karina is a permanent expert of the PupsFull portal. She writes articles about play, pregnancy, parenting and learning, baby care, and mom and baby health.

Articles written

Can breastfeeding mothers drink coffee

Can a nursing mother drink instant or natural coffee? With the birth of a long-awaited baby, not only joyful moments and happy days await you, but also sleepless nights and fatigue, without “recharging” in any way. But will caffeine harm your baby?

First, it is worth considering the individual characteristics of the body of your child. Caffeine, like citrus fruits, eggs are a food that can cause allergies. Therefore, if you can not resist a cup of coffee in the morning, carefully watch your baby. Did he have skin rashes?

Secondly, in addition to allergies, coffee can cause problems with sleep. If you drank coffee, and then breast-fed your baby, then you should also pay attention to his mood. Unreasonable anxiety, poor sleep and arousal - all these signs should alert you. These problems may not occur immediately, as caffeine is slowly removed from the blood, and can also linger in the child's body for a long time. Among other things, caffeine is not excreted from the child's body until approximately 4 months of age. Therefore, you need to be especially careful with high doses of caffeine while the baby is very young.

In addition, those who are wondering if nursing mothers can drink coffee should take into account the fact that this substance is also found in many medicines and products. Of the drugs, one can cite as an example the banal Citramon, some drugs with a preventive effect on colds, painkillers. And from the products - mostly drinks. For example, Coca-Cola and regular tea (black and green). And by the way, if you eat coffee with chocolate, then remember that this delicious product contains theobromine, which has a similar effect on the body of mother and child as caffeine. A nursing mother can drink coffee in a volume of no more than 750 ml (five or less cups of coffee) per day. With excessive coffee consumption, your child is likely to change his behavior for the worse. May confuse day with night, sleep will not be strong, periods of wakefulness are too long, etc.

What to do if the baby reacts badly to the presence of caffeine in breast milk? If your child has become restless and does not sleep well, then it is not necessary to completely eliminate caffeine from your diet. Just reduce the amount of coffee and caffeinated drinks you drink per day by about one-third.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to drink coffee with milk or cream? If you drink the drink undiluted, then it's time to change your habit. What if it's an allergy? There is nothing you can do about it, you will have to remove all drinks containing caffeine from your diet.

A cup of hot black coffee in the morning can easily be replaced by chicory. Not only does chicory not contain caffeine, it will also be useful for the body of a nursing mother.

During pregnancy, you have to give up many foods. After the birth of a child, you want to return to your usual diet, but you need to follow a diet for nursing. Most products are banned. Many are interested in whether it is possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding.

Impact on the baby

Caffeine appears in breast milk almost immediately after consumption, reaching its highest concentration after an hour and a half. The time of complete elimination from the body of an adult is 8-10 hours. But the exact numbers are individual, depending on the metabolism, digestion and general diet. When ingested by an infant, caffeine:

  • It is not absorbed, like all alkaloids, during the first year of life;
  • Coffee during breastfeeding is excreted within 5-7 days if the baby is less than 3 months old. Some accumulate in the body, negatively affecting the development of the nervous system;
  • Causes overexcitation, hyperactivity. The baby may experience severe stress;
  • Leads to disruption of sleep and rest, can reduce appetite;
  • Removes calcium from the body, which negatively affects the development of the skeletal system;
  • Violates digestion, causes constipation;
  • It has a diuretic effect, can cause dehydration of a fragile body. Together with the liquid, microelements important for the development of the baby are excreted.

Can coffee be breastfeeding? The drink belongs to strong allergens, so it is recommended to refrain from it in the first six months. Coffee used by the mother can be addictive for the baby. When it stops entering the body, the child becomes lethargic and capricious.

Caffeine is incompatible with some drugs, reducing their effectiveness. If the drug contains theophylline (a substance with a similar effect), then simultaneous use with a flavored drink can cause an overdose. In this case, Dr. Komarovsky recommends giving up coffee or informing the doctor about its use. The specialist will take this into account when prescribing a regimen for taking and dosage of drugs.

Komarovsky believes that a nursing mother is not prohibited from drinking coffee if the child does not have allergies, overexcitation, or digestive problems. In these cases, you need to reduce the amount of the drink or exclude it from the menu.

Contraindications

You can drink coffee while breastfeeding, except in the following cases:

  • The first week of a baby's life - negative consequences for the development of the child's vital organs are possible. It is better to gradually introduce coffee into the diet no earlier than 3 months, ideally - six months;
  • The child was born prematurely. A weakened body does not perceive caffeine well;
  • Anemia in a newborn. Coffee with HB significantly reduces the level of iron in the composition of mother's milk, provokes a lack of a trace element that is important for hematopoiesis in the baby's body;
  • The baby has an allergy - a rash, redness of the skin. It is necessary to stop drinking the drink, it is better to try again in a month, not earlier;
  • Negative reaction from the nervous system of the child: overexcitation, worsening sleep, unreasonable anxiety;
  • Reduced lactation - the drink leads to its decrease.

Instant coffee

The product is made from low quality grains. During production, they undergo chemical processing, increasing the likelihood of allergies. It has more caffeine than freshly ground coffee. Many drink it for vigor, but the effect of an instant drink is lower, and addiction appears faster.

A person who consumes such coffee feels a surge of energy for the first 30-40 minutes, after which the opposite effect occurs: severe drowsiness and fatigue appear. As a result, an attempt to cheer up leads to increased stress on the nervous and urinary systems.

To maintain overall tone, it is better to use herbal tea that is allowed during breastfeeding. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helps to recover faster after childbirth. There are special fees to increase lactation. When using herbal teas, you need to monitor the reaction of the child in order to exclude allergies.

green coffee

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For its preparation, ordinary unroasted coffee beans are used. They differ in color and contain more nutrients due to the lack of heat treatment. Green coffee can be consumed while breastfeeding, but in doses even after the child reaches the age of six months. It contains caffeine, which can adversely affect the well-being of the baby.

In green grains, its level is lower than in fried ones, but you need to introduce the drink into your diet gradually, starting with a few sips, and pay attention to the reaction of the child.

Use only a fresh product, purchase it in specialized stores and check the quality certificate. There is a high risk of buying a fake that will be useless or harm the child's body. The grains should be light green in color, they need to be cooked immediately before use. It is better to drink green coffee immediately after feeding or a few hours before it. The maximum number of cups of drink consumed during breastfeeding is 3 per day.

Green coffee is often used for weight loss, recovery after childbirth. It stimulates metabolic processes, is a source of antioxidants, vitamins and trace elements. Various plant-based dietary supplements are contraindicated, you need to choose natural products.

Does not contain caffeine?

Can breastfeeding women drink decaffeinated coffee? It is a mistake to think that this will protect the child. Such a product is obtained as a result of several stages of chemical processing, traces of which remain in the drink. The allergenicity of the drink increases, while the alkaloid is contained in it, but in a smaller amount. Decaffeinated coffee can cause gastrointestinal upset in a child, increased nervousness.

A good substitute is chicory, which has a similar flavor but is devoid of caffeine. It is a source of nutrients, relieves nervous tension, improves digestion and metabolic processes in the body.

Chicory is easy to prepare, but is contraindicated in case of increased acidity of the stomach. It is necessary to consume a coffee drink in small quantities to reduce the risk of allergies in the baby. To improve the taste, the addition of sugar and cream is allowed.

Freshly ground coffee beans

If the product is natural and of high quality, then it can be consumed in moderation, not earlier than the child is one month old. To reduce the amount of alkaloid, it is recommended to dilute it with boiling water. Bean coffee contains more nutrients and less caffeine than instant coffee. It is better to choose varieties of Arabica and grind just before cooking.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to have coffee with milk? The option is allowed, but not earlier than the month of the baby. The product contains casein, a highly allergenic protein. It requires special enzymes for processing, and the baby's digestive system is just adapting to a new life. Milk protein of animal origin can cause intestinal upset, bloating and colic.

Rules of use

Mommy has the right to decide for herself whether to drink coffee with GV, but she must take into account its possible harm and effect on the baby's body. It is recommended to observe the following rules:

  1. It is allowed to drink a drink, but first you need to feed the child. Or drink it a few hours before feeding so that the baby gets less caffeine in breast milk. It is easier for a child's body to cope with small doses of a substance. It is better to give up coffee in the first 3 months after childbirth, because the feeding regimen has not yet been established;
  2. Start with a few sips in the morning, increase the dose every few days. Be sure to monitor the well-being of the child, with sudden changes in his behavior, deterioration of digestion, allergic manifestations, you need to stop drinking the drink;
  3. Keep in mind that caffeine is present in other products - chocolate, cocoa, alcoholic beverages, Coca-Cola. Its small amount and a similar substance - theophylline - is also found in green tea. The simultaneous use of products leads to high doses of alkaloid in breast milk. The baby may have overexcitation, palpitations, anxiety;
  4. Limit coffee consumption to 1-2 cups of coffee per day, preferably in 3-4 days. It is permissible to drink from the smallest mugs to enjoy, but less caffeine has entered the body;
  5. Eat more dairy products to replenish the calcium leached out of the body after drinking coffee;
  6. Give your baby water to drink and monitor the amount of liquid in your diet. To prevent dehydration and reduce the burden on the urinary system, you need to drink a glass of water 10-15 minutes after drinking coffee. This is due to the specific effects of the product on the body during processing. In good coffee houses, clean water is served along with a cup of aromatic drink.

Doctors do not recommend drinking coffee for lactating women until the baby is six months old, but it is better to exclude it from the menu for the entire lactation period. Children under 5 years old are not advised to give this drink because of the negative effect on the body, especially since a newborn baby should not be stressed. To maintain his health and strengthen immunity, you need to carefully consider the nutrition of the mother so that the child receives the maximum of useful substances from breast milk.