Some of us really love our coffee! Caffeine passes from the mother to infant in small amounts through breast milk, but some babies don’t seem to notice while others do. In most cases, baby only consumes moderate amounts of caffeine, about 1.5% of maternal dose.
However, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, so you may want to take the following into consideration:
What is the effect of caffeine on babies?
The most common symptom of a caffeine reaction is reflux. If your baby is spitting up more than normal, check your caffeine intake over the last few hours. Fussiness, jitteriness and poor sleep patterns have been reported in the infants of mothers with very high caffeine intakes.
So how much caffeine is safe?
The general recommendation is 2 or 3 cups daily max (or equivalent of 200 - 300 mg caffeine or less), and cup size DOES matter. We are talking Solo or single shot - not Grande. Also, preterm and younger newborn infants metabolize caffeine very slowly and may have serum levels of caffeine and other active caffeine metabolites similar to their mothers' levels, so a lower intake level is recommended.
How much caffeine is in a cup?
- 230 ml brewed coffee - 96 mg
- 230 ml Instant coffee - 62 mg
- 1 shot Espresso - 64 mg
- 230 ml decaf coffee - about 5 mg
- 230 ml ceylon tea - 47 mg
- 230 ml green tea - 28 mg
- 15 ml raw cacao powder - 21 mg
- 1 small block of 70% to 85% dark chocolate - 8 mg
- 335 ml Coca Cola - 36 mg
What can I do if I suspect my baby might be reacting to caffeine?
If you suspect your baby might be reacting to your caffeine intake, you could substitute caffeine-free beverages for two to three weeks. This will give enough time for the caffeine to clear your system and you can judge whether caffeine is affecting your baby.
Sources:
- Drugs and Lactation Database - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501467/