Coffee is a significant drink in almost everyone’s life, providing alertness and energy each morning. Some people might wonder if coffee affects milk supply. While coffee can be tempting, you need to check how it's going to affect you as a breastfeeding mom and your baby. You will find out through this article does coffee decrease milk supply.
Does Coffee Decrease Milk Supply?
This is a long-time myth: does coffee decrease milk supply? The answer is no. There is no reliable evidence that says that one cup of coffee results in low breast milk. As stated by UT South Western Medical Center, having one cup of coffee a day does not decrease milk supply.
Johns Hopkins Medicine agrees that caffeine and breast milk supply do not affect each other if you drink moderately. But if your baby starts having trouble sleeping after feeding, you should ease up on the caffeine.
The research about ‘Effects of Maternal Caffeine Consumption on the Breastfed Child’ shows that coffee will not decrease your milk supply. However, there is no evidence-based recommendation on how much caffeine consumption is safe for breastfeeding mothers.
Does Caffeine Get Into My Breast Milk?
When discussing whether coffee decreases milk supply, it is important to know that caffeine from coffee shows up in your breast milk quickly as you drink it. This means when caffeine enters your bloodstream, a small amount can get into your breast milk.
How Long Does Caffeine Stay in Breast Milk?
For coffee drinkers, a study shows that caffeine only stays for 7.2 hours, and 10% of caffeine in what the mother took. It was proven by giving the six new mothers of 100 mg caffeine tablet. After 24 hours, a breast milk sample was taken, and the highest caffeine level was 2.5 mg/L. Caffeine levels dropped over time.
Will the Caffeine in My Breast Milk Affect My Baby?
While caffeine does not decrease breast milk, high caffeine intake can affect your baby. Infants of mothers who consume very high amounts of caffeine (about 10 or more cups of coffee a day) affect the baby with fussiness, jitteriness, and poor sleep patterns.
However, a mother who drank 5 cups of coffee daily found no signs of the said effects in breastfed infants who were 3 weeks old or older.
Will Coffee Affect Me While I Am Breastfeeding?
Coffee can affect your health while breastfeeding, primarily due to its caffeine content. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to dehydration, increased heart rate, and anxiety. It may also affect your sleep patterns and overall energy levels.
How Much Coffee Can I Have While I am Breastfeeding?
While there’s no health-based guidance about how much caffeine you can drink while breastfeeding, you should consider the Food Standards’ recommendation of about 200 mg per day in all kinds of sources of caffeine (soda, tea, and cocoa).
FAQs about Coffee and Breast Milk Supply
- What happens if you drink too much coffee while breastfeeding?
While there’s no confirmation that coffee decreases breast milk, you should be mindful of caffeine intake. Your baby can be fussy, restless, or have trouble sleeping. It can also affect your hydration, and sleep, making it harder to keep up with feeding demands.
- What drinks decrease milk supply?
Will coffee decrease my milk supply? No, drinks that has sage are. Sage is believed to reduce milk production, making it a common natural remedy for those looking to decrease lactation. The herbs contain compounds that are thought to inhibit the production of prolactin, a hormone essential for milk production.
- How to boost milk supply?
Here are some tips to boost your milk supply:
- Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods.
- Make sure your baby is latching well.
- Breastfeed every time your baby is hungry.
- Nurse or pump frequently; you need to use a reliable pump like Momcozy M9.
The Momcozy M9 is an electric, wearable, and hands-free breast pump. It’s controlled by an app, allowing you to easily switch between different pumping settings to personalize your experience.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, there’s no evidence that coffee decreases milk supply. Thus, it significantly affects you and your baby if you don’t limit yourself. Bear in mind that your health and your baby’s are important to have a meaningful life together. Don’t stop searching for the right answers, and find the best way possible to make your motherhood journey manageable.
