Caffeine is a major stimulant, and for both breastfeeding mum and baby can affect stress response, sleep and mood. Similar to alcohol, if you’re drinking coffee, a fraction of the caffeine will pass through to your breastmilk and therefore, onto your baby. To quantify this, it’s been said that around 1% of the caffeine passes through to the milk and usually becomes present about 1 hour after you’ve consumed the coffee. While it doesn’t sound like a lot, 0% would be better.
Having 1 to 2 morning coffees during the day is considered okay. In fact, Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommends that ‘daily caffeine consumption of up to 200mg is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.’
If it’s something you’re concerned about, and notice your coffee intake increasing overtime (which, with everything else that’s going on, is totally understandable and relatable) and you simultaneously notice your baby is becoming more irritable, visibly uncomfortable or they’re having trouble sleeping, then you could reconsider your daily coffee intake. Perhaps look to other sources of energy such as protein rich snacks. Final note, don’t forget to prioritise hydration, aiming to drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
