Can I drink coffee while breastfeeding?

The last thing a new, sleep-deprived parent needs is to give up caffeine. Here's what you need to know about drinking coffee while breastfeeding.

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Photo: iStockphotos
Photo: iStockphotos

The thought of giving up my tea and coffee habit when I had never been more tired was terrifying. My midwife reassured me I could still have a couple of cups a day.

There is no evidence to show caffeine decreases breastmilk production, though some infants can get irritable if mom drinks more than the recommended amount (two or three cups, or 16 to 24 ounces, a day). “Levels of caffeine in breastmilk peak one to two hours after ingestion,” says lactation consultant Anita Arora. Be mindful of your own caffeine intake: You want to stay hydrated while feeding, and if you’re hopped up on caffeine, there’s no way you’ll be able to follow the advice of everyone telling you to sleep when the baby sleeps.

Read more:
How your breastfeeding diet affects your baby
7 breastfeeding tips every nursing mom needs to read
15 breastfeeding problems and how to solve them

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