Caffeine
By Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists caffeine as an approved substance for use by breastfeeding mothers. This means that an occasional cup of coffee or caffeinated soft drink will not harm your baby. But it is important to understand that babies under 6 months of age have trouble metabolizing caffeine. If mom drinks too much caffeine it can cause a build up in the baby’s body. This may make your newborn baby irritable or interfere with sleep. Peak levels of caffeine are found in milk 60-120 minutes after ingestion. Infant metabolism of caffeine improves over time, especially after 6 months.
One study found that the iron content of milk was reduced in moms who were heavy coffee drinkers. Check with your doctor to see if any medications taken by you or your baby also contain caffeine. If they do, it may be best to avoid caffeine in other forms entirely until your baby is older.
References:
T. Hale. Medications and Mothers’ Milk (12th ed), Hale Publishing, Amarillo, 2005. Pg. 121--123.
