Young mothers, who before pregnancy started every day with a cup of aromatic coffee with milk, are especially concerned about the question: is it possible to keep the habit during lactation? There is no strict ban on drinking a flavored drink while breastfeeding, but you need to know a few important rules: how to cook it, how many times a day to drink, which product is better to choose and some others.
Coffee has an invigorating property. Already after about 15 min. after drinking 1 cup of the drink, the concentration of attention and the working capacity of the brain increase. Coffee also has other interesting properties.
More details about them are discussed in the table:
| coffee properties | Explanation |
| Stimulation of the cardiovascular system. | The drink can increase blood pressure and increase heart rate. For older people, this is an undesirable result, but for a healthy young body, it feels like a burst of energy. |
| Stimulation of the digestive tract. | Helps prevent stool problems. |
| Reduces tissue resistance to insulin. | Prevents the development of diabetes |
| Accelerates metabolism. | Regular proper consumption of coffee contributes to weight loss. |
| Reduces blood viscosity. | Reduces the risk of blood clots. |
| Has an antioxidant effect. | It is the protector of the body from oncology. |
The composition of coffee will vary depending on the quality of the product. An instant drink contains only about 20% natural substances. It also contains flavors, dyes, numerous chemical additives.
The composition of both instant and natural coffee includes:
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- ash;
- proteins fats carbohydrates;
- vitamin B2;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- niacin;
- water;
- alimentary fiber;
- organic acids.
Caffeine is a substance without color and aroma, which stimulates the central nervous system, activates the heart, dilates blood vessels. In small doses, it can eliminate drowsiness, increase efficiency. But with the abuse of drinks and foods with caffeine, it can negatively affect the functioning of the human body.
Another important constituent of coffee is theobromine. This substance, on the contrary, is able to calm. For example, low-quality instant coffee contains little caffeine and a lot of theobromine, so it does not invigorate, but only worsens a person's condition.
Tannin is responsible for the special taste and aroma of coffee. Especially a lot of it is found in raw grains of the product. After roasting, no more than 1% remains. Despite this, the drink still turns out to be fragrant and with a bright taste.
Effects of coffee with milk on breastfeeding infants
Coffee with milk while breastfeeding is not forbidden to mothers. But every woman needs to know what risk she exposes her baby to, being carried away by an invigorating drink.
Coffee affects the child in the following ways:
- increases nervous excitability, which can lead to irritability of the newborn, his tearfulness, sleep disturbances and deterioration (or even complete absence) of appetite;
- is a very allergenic product and often causes skin rashes;
- worsens stool (the child may suffer from diarrhea or constipation as a result);
- removes calcium and other useful minerals from the baby's body;
- reduces the concentration of iron in breast milk;
- has diuretic properties.
If a woman notices that a child becomes more restless and nervous after drinking coffee, it is worth conducting an experiment: give up an invigorating drink for a week, and then treat yourself to a cup again. If the result is the same, then coffee affects the baby negatively and it is better to completely refuse it.
The body of the child from breast milk does not receive all the caffeine that the mother consumes. And about 1-1.5%.
Contraindications
There are some conditions under which drinking coffee during lactation is strictly prohibited:
- prescribing medications with caffeine in the composition to the child (these can be painkillers or improve lung function);
- lack of newborn iron or calcium in the body (a drink can only worsen its condition);
- weakness child's body, birth ahead of time;
- diseases in the mother, among the symptoms of which are poor filling of blood vessels (caffeine narrows them even more).
In these cases, drinking an invigorating drink is prohibited even in minimal doses.
Can coffee with milk reduce lactation?
In fact, the claim that caffeine reduces milk production is a common myth. It does not affect this indicator in any way. There are interesting studies by German scientists proving the opposite. It turned out that in some mothers, coffee consumption increases the amount of milk produced.
Coffee selection
Coffee with milk while breastfeeding should be drunk very high quality. Moms during lactation should choose any products in the store with special attention. This also applies to coffee.
It is best to purchase for yourself an exclusively natural product in grains and not be lazy to cook it. This coffee will have less caffeine than pre-ground coffee. There are no harmful additives in the natural product - flavors, flavor enhancers, as in a cheap soluble one. Therefore, saving on coffee for a nursing mother is not worth it.
The best solution would be to go to a specialized store and ask for quality certificates for the purchased product. From bags "3 in 1" with a variety of bright flavors (nutty, caramel, cognac) should be abandoned for the entire period of lactation.
Coffee with milk while breastfeeding in bags of the "3 in 1" type during lactation is better not to use. It must be remembered that different varieties of grains differ greatly in caffeine content (% of the dry composition):
- in Arabica it is from 0.5 to 1.3;
- in Liberica– from 1.1 to 1.7;
- in Robusta- from 1.7 to 2.9.
Manufacturers note that high-quality Arabica coffee (preferably high-altitude growth) will contain a minimum percentage of caffeine, so this is the coffee that nursing mothers should choose. There are some rules for choosing milk for coffee.
It is best to take a natural, rather than ultra-pasteurized product. The optimal fat content is 2.5%. But we must not forget that up to 6 months of a child, a woman is allowed to drink no more than 50-60 ml of milk per day. Otherwise, the newborn may have various problems - from stool disorders to serious allergies. The same portion is relevant when adding milk to coffee.
Rules of use
There are several rules that all mothers need to remember during lactation (in descending order of importance):
Pediatricians note that the best time to start introducing coffee into your diet is 3 months old newborn. Previously, it is not forbidden to do this, but still a young mother risks facing various unpleasant consequences.
How much caffeine is acceptable when lactating
The most detailed study on the amount of caffeine allowed while breastfeeding can be found in British scientists. Experts note that this is up to 200 mg per day.
To determine the optimal portion of foods and drinks with caffeine in the composition, which will not harm the child, the table will help:
| Beverage/Product | The amount of caffeine in mg |
| Espresso (50 ml) | 145 |
| Instant coffee (250 ml) | 80 |
| Black tea (250 ml) | 75 |
| Bitter chocolate (50 g) | 50 |
| Filtered coffee (250 ml) | 140 |
| Coca Cola (350 ml) | 40 |
It is especially important to consider these data if a woman is used to consuming both coffee and chocolate a day.
How to make coffee with milk while breastfeeding
Coffee with milk during breastfeeding is prepared according to the usual scheme: it is brewed until foam appears, after which milk is added to it. But it is best to use a coffee machine that will help you get a drink in a cup without grounds. If only a Turk was at home, then the coffee must be filtered on its own.
For the period of lactation, you will need to abandon the soluble and flavored drink. If decaffeinated coffee is chosen, then its serving should also not be more than 2-3 cups per day.
How long does it take for coffee to leave breast milk?
Coffee is not completely eliminated from the mother's body immediately. The whole process takes about 5 hours. This means the content of the substance in both the blood and breast milk. Therefore, if a woman takes long breaks between feedings, for example, replacing part with formula or complementary foods, then there is a possibility that caffeine will not enter the baby’s body at all.
Doctor Komarovsky about nursing coffee
A specialist who understands the health of expectant mothers and babies already born has his own opinion about coffee during the feeding period. The doctor is very loyal in this matter.
He is sure that mom should not deny herself pleasure and everyone should try possible ways enjoy life.
The pediatrician replies that a woman can afford a couple of cups for real good coffee per day, even while breastfeeding. But you need to pamper yourself with an invigorating drink only if it does not affect the well-being and behavior of the baby in any way.
The frequency of coffee consumption by a woman during lactation
There is no categorical ban on the daily consumption of coffee during lactation in moderation. But it’s better to take breaks so that caffeine has time to completely get out of the female and children’s body. For example, the optimal scheme is to enjoy your favorite coffee 2 times a week. And on other days - drink invigorating drinks without caffeine. It can be chicory or other natural substitutes.
Fragrant coffee is not forbidden to women even during breastfeeding. It is best to dilute the drink with milk, as well as choose high-quality grains and grind them just before brewing.
Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about whether coffee is possible while breastfeeding
Coffee while breastfeeding, features of use:
Coffee is the drink that starts the morning for many people. The desire to cheer up is more relevant than ever for a young mother who has a day to take care of her baby. However, the use is always questionable. It is believed that the best dietnursing mother proper nutrition,and coffee is usually excluded from the list of allowed products.
How caffeine affects the baby
Why do young mothers try not to drink coffee? This is mainly due to prejudices regarding caffeine, which is part of a fragrant invigorating drink. Moms are afraid that caffeine will have a negative effect on the baby. The most popular "horror story" - the child will become nervous, restless, will not sleep well and develop with a lag.
In fact, caffeine is really not good for the baby, but for a different reason: the infant's body is not able to absorb and excrete it. Accumulating in the baby's body, caffeine can really have a harmful effect, but this is only possible with regular coffee consumption in decent volumes.
Otherwise, a nursing mother may not be afraid of caffeine. In addition to coffee, it is also found in other products: chocolate of any kind, cocoa, black and green tea. By the way, green tea contains more caffeine than coffee, and, nevertheless, breastfeeding is not a reason to refuse it.
Like any New Product, coffee can provoke an allergic reaction in the baby. You need to monitor the appearance of the reaction in the first hours after feeding with "coffee" milk.
How to choose coffee for a nursing mother
Of course, coffee for a nursing mother should be only natural, preferably brewed from freshly ground beans. And here to drink instant coffee Not recommended. Such coffee is made from beans of the lowest grade, contains a lot of caffeine and undergoes chemical processing. Allergies and dangerous consequences in this case are more likely than after a cup of a natural drink.
The so-called decaffeinated coffee. The very wording of the name of the drink is misleading: there can be no coffee without caffeine. In fact, this is coffee with a reduced caffeine content, that is, it will still not work to completely eliminate the ingress of caffeine into the body of the crumbs. According to the degree of harm, such coffee is akin to instant coffee, since it also undergoes chemical processing.
Coffee while breastfeeding - the main rules
If a young mother does not say a resolute “no” to coffee, it will not be out of place to take into account some rules, the implementation of which will help minimize the consequences of “coffee” milk for the baby.
- Drink only your own brewed coffee made from beans.
- To reduce the caffeine content in the drink, you can not brew coffee, but pour boiling water over it and let it brew.
- Coffee is safe in moderation. For example, one cup every few days, well, or once a day.
- If you drink coffee, then it is better to do it in the morning, and regarding feeding - immediately after feeding, so that the concentration of caffeine in milk is already lower by the next application.
- When drinking coffee, cut down on other caffeinated foods.
- Be sure to increase the intake of foods containing calcium (cheese, cottage cheese, kefir). Nursing mothers always suffer from a lack of calcium, and coffee additionally contributes to its removal from the body.
- Don't forget to drink an extra cup clean water for every cup of coffee drunk: caffeine causes dehydration, and it is very important for a nursing mother to maintain fluid balance.
Quitting coffee altogether or ignoring warnings are extremes. The best option, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Even a nursing mother can pamper herself with her favorite drink without harm to the child.
With the birth of a baby, the diet is strictly revised, because what the mother eats, her baby will also eat. But what about your favorite habits? Can I drink coffee while breastfeeding? Is it possible for a nursing mother to have coffee with milk? Or is it worth sacrificing your interests? Or maybe there are exceptions and drinking coffee while breastfeeding is still allowed?
There are two radically opposite opinions: “you can’t use it at all when breastfeeding” and “it’s possible, it’s better to start accustoming the baby to everything earlier, adaptation to external stimuli will pass faster and better.” Which of the opinions is correct, whether coffee and GW are compatible, which position to choose - we will figure it out together.
The composition of coffee and its effect on the body
Grains have a complex composition. The amount and type of substances varies depending on the growing conditions. When roasting, the composition changes qualitatively, new compounds appear. Fried grains include more than 1 thousand substances, most of these compounds affect the quality of the aroma and taste characteristics. Raw grains contain:
- phenolic compounds;
- carbohydrates;
- amino acids;
- proteins;
- tannin;
- alkaloids and polyamines (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, glucoside, etc.);
- lipids;
- mineral elements;
- chlorogenic and organic acids.
Every person who has ever consumed coffee has felt the effects of it. The main effects of coffee on the body:
- Invigorating: based on the presence of caffeine.
- The blood becomes thicker, the likelihood of the formation of blood clots increases.
- Changes pressure: useful for migraines and hypertension.
Coffee during breastfeeding affects the woman, and through her, the child.
Is it possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding: the effect of caffeine
Caffeine has a number of restrictions (starting from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy) on the amount of acceptable daily intake due to the high half-life of caffeine in children under 6 months of age.
Impact on the baby: caffeine in breast milk
The following manifestations are possible:
In 1984, a study was conducted according to which 15 nursing mothers took a drink containing caffeine in an amount of 35 to 336 mg. Caffeine was not detected (<0,2 мг/л) в моче ни у одного из их детей в течение 5-часового периода сбора, который начался через 2 часа после приема материнского кофеина.
Conclusion: Taking one cup (up to 300 ml) of the drink does not appear to provide significant doses of caffeine to an infant.
When to stop using
There are cases when consumption must be not only limited, but also excluded:
- The child was born weak, prematurely.
- The appearance of allergic manifestations, a rash on the skin of a child .
- Some people believe that the acids in coffee can reduce the amount of iron in breast milk, although there is no scientific evidence to support this.
Nevertheless, given these points, nutritionists are inclined to believe that you can drink coffee with HB, if you follow the recommendations.
7 rules for a nursing mother: safe use
Here are some tips for coffee consuming breastfeeding moms:
Is it worth it or not to pamper yourself with this drink in the first months if it has such an effect? No official honey. the source does not set restrictions on coffee consumption in the first month (if the recommendations are followed). At the same time, the UK National Health Service advises limiting caffeine intake to 200 mg / day:
- espresso: 145 mg per 50 ml;
- 1 cup of filtered coffee: 140 mg;
- 1 cup (250 ml) instant coffee: 80 mg (1 tsp per cup);
- 1 can (250 ml) energy drink: 80 mg (large cans can contain up to 160 mg caffeine)
- 1 cup of tea: 75 mg;
- 1/2 pack (50 g) plain chocolate: up to 50 mg;
- can of cola (354 ml): 40 mg.
What coffee is best when breastfeeding
Raw materials of the lowest quality are selected for the production of instant coffee. To improve the taste, increase the specific gravity of caffeine at the expense of flavor enhancers and flavorings. It is not recommended for nursing mothers to drink it.
Decaffeinated coffee for breastfeeding
A woman, trying to choose an alternative, is wondering if it is possible to consume decaffeinated coffee while breastfeeding? Decaffeinated coffee still contains a small amount of it. It is just as safe or even safer than caffeinated coffee.
Green coffee for breastfeeding
This drink is rapidly gaining popularity, especially among, so the question arises of the possibility of its use during lactation. The exclusion of the roasting stage in the preparation technology is the only difference from traditional coffee. It is worth considering: grains that have not undergone heat treatment have more valuable substances. If there is complete confidence in the quality characteristics of the product, a nursing mother can treat herself to green coffee from time to time.
Selected good grains have a light greenish tint. It is recommended to grind and brew immediately before use. Enter into the diet, being careful, monitor the reaction and behavior of the baby.
Coffee with milk for breastfeeding
Can coffee with milk while breastfeeding reduce the negative impact on the baby's body? Milk changes the taste, increases the amount of liquid consumed, but does not reduce the specific gravity and effect of caffeine, therefore, a nursing mother is allowed to consume coffee with milk in compliance with the general rules.
How to choose coffee for a nursing mother
When breastfeeding, it is better for a woman to give preference to exclusively natural coffee: it will have a lower specific gravity of caffeine than previously ground coffee.
If the product is bought in a specialized store, it is advisable to ask to see the quality certificates. Varieties of grains differ in different percentages of caffeine (% of dry composition): Arabica - 0.5-1.3; Liberica - 1.14-1.7; Robusta - 1.7-2.9. Manufacturers assure: Alpine Arabica has a minimum percentage of caffeine.
Coffee alternative: coffee substitutes allowed during lactation
Is it possible for a nursing woman to replace coffee with something, and if so, with what? Yes, there are vegetable substitutes that do not harm, and are even useful. Coffee substitutes are plant products that are used to make drinks that are close in appearance and taste to coffee. These include the following products.
Chicory
A great alternative, considered coffee only because of the taste. It has the opposite effect compared to caffeine: it calms, has a beneficial effect on the pancreas. It is introduced into the diet with caution, observing the reaction of the child.
Guarana
Guarana has a fruit the size of a hazelnut, has a rich yellow or orange color. The ripened fruit opens, inside is a brown or black seed. A substitute is made from these seeds.
Jerusalem artichoke
A diet drink is made from the root of Jerusalem artichoke. The tubers are cleaned, crushed, pour boiling water for a few minutes. After - dried, fried, crushed into powder.
Mugitya
Made in Japan from roasted wheat, barley grains. Unpeeled grains after the roasting process are brewed and infused, sometimes crushed to a powder state.
The question is can I drink coffee during lactation, almost all new mothers are asked. A woman, being responsible not only for herself, but also for the baby, instinctively refuses an invigorating drink. In most cases, this is due to preconceptions about caffeine. Facts and myths, as well as the peculiarities of using the product in a special period of life for a woman, will be discussed in this review.
Can I drink coffee while breastfeeding?
Interesting! Caffeine is found in chocolate, cocoa, and tea. Green tea contains even more caffeine than an invigorating drink. However, its use is not contraindicated in guards.
Coffee during lactation: truth and myth
A cup of coffee is quite capable of raising blood pressure, affecting the nervous system, and activating mental and physical performance. The above information is scientifically proven facts. Next, it makes sense to "walk" through the myths:
- Coffee should be replaced with green tea. Theine is the caffeine-equivalent component in green tea. This substance is also able to excite the nervous system and have about the same effect as caffeine. Conclusion: green tea is not the best substitute for coffee for a nursing mother.
- You can opt for coffee cafein free. This product does contain a small amount of caffeine. Such a drink is not capable of adversely affecting the process of formation of the infant's nervous system. However, it contributes to the accumulation of cholesterol, which in the future can turn into complications for the baby.
- The child must be taught to "adult" food. The digestive system of a newborn is imperfect - it is not prepared to digest and eliminate caffeine. It is possible to accustom a crumb to food from a common table only from the age of six months.
- One cup a day won't hurt. Regular use of the product is addictive. Systematically drinking one or two cups of coffee a day, a woman runs the risk of developing a “caffeine” addiction in her baby.
How exactly does coffee affect the child's body?
Practice shows that caffeine can really negatively affect the development of the child. These adverse effects include:
- excitation of the nervous system. The baby becomes capricious, whiny. His sleep is disturbed, his appetite disappears;
- stimulation of an allergic reaction. This is the real allergen. If, after a cup of an invigorating drink drunk by the mother, the baby has a rash, constipation, an allergy is likely to develop;
- diuretic effect. The child's body may not have time to make up for the loss of moisture in a timely manner;
- removal of useful components from the body, for example, calcium.
Attention! The above facts do not at all confirm the 100% probability of adverse reactions from the child's body. Everything is individual and depends on the health of the newborn.
The effect of caffeine on the feeding process
Concerns about the effect of caffeine on lactation can be avoided for women. The component does not affect the quantity and quality characteristics of breast milk if the newly-made mother does not abuse and prefers a quality product.
List of contraindications
coffee drinking at gv indeed permissible, however, in some cases, even one cup of the drink is prohibited for a nursing mother. Among the absolute restrictions:
- premature baby;
- kidney ailments;
- elevated blood and eye pressure;
- heart disease;
- insomnia;
- anemia.
Important! The consequences of drinking coffee under restrictions can cause significant harm to the health of a newborn: he may lag behind in physical or emotional development, gain weight and grow poorly, the child may begin to lose hair on his head, weaken immunity.
How to choose a product for a nursing mother?
The smallest concentration of caffeine contains freshly ground grains of coarse grinding. An order of magnitude more substance is contained in a powder product of industrial manufacture.
Instant coffee is not an option for a nursing mother. Such a product is made from inexpensive varieties of coffee, and the probability of acquiring not ground grains, but sublimated powder in this case is very high. If this is the case, artificial caffeine is used to make instant coffee, the concentration of which is several times higher than the norm of the content of the component in natural coffee beans. The same applies to the well-known coffee "3 in 1".
Not so long ago, a “miraculous” product appeared on the market - green coffee. These are unroasted beans, which contain much more caffeine (theine) than heat-treated beans. This option will perfectly help out the “coffee lover”, but not the nursing mother.
Often, mothers buy teas to increase lactation, however, their taste is not very pleasant. In this case, the use of green coffee will come in handy. It is only important to observe the proportion: 1 part of the weakly brewed main component (for smell only) and 3 parts of tea to stimulate the production of breast milk.
Green coffee can be drunk only when the baby is six months old. It is worth doing this immediately after morning feeding - a woman will have 4 hours in reserve to remove the substance from the body. The daily dose of the product for mothers is 400 ml.
Excessive consumption of such a drink can lead to an upset of the digestive system, increase the level of acidity, cause gastritis, ulcers.
Attention! It is important to purchase the product from a trusted manufacturer and always check the expiration date on the packaging.
Is there an alternative?
Many nursing mothers are trying to reduce the harmfulness of the drink by giving preference to various coffee substitutes. Below are the most popular alternatives:
Chicory
This drink is free from the tonic alkaloid and is saturated with many vitamins, macro- and microelements, and other useful components (potassium, iron, acids, tannins).
Chicory when breastfeeding you can drink: it calms the nerves, restores the work of the gastrointestinal tract, activates metabolic processes. However, not every nursing woman is allowed to use such a product. Among the limitations are the following pathologies:
- asthma;
- bronchitis;
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- phlebeurysm;
- heart disease;
- gallbladder pathology.
Drinking a drink can not only aggravate the course of the disease, but also harm the child. Among the alarming signs: sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, irritability, capriciousness, tearfulness of the baby.
barley drink
The product stimulates the process of excretion of breast milk. The main component of the drink is barley grains, rich in proteins, vegetable fiber, vitamins and minerals. In addition, this coffee can help a woman in the fight against pathologies of the kidneys and digestive organs.
You can buy such a drink in powder form or you can prepare it yourself by drying, roasting the grains on the stove. Next, the product is ground in a coffee grinder, filled with water and infused.
acorn coffee
Acorns are very useful fruits: they are rich in proteins, tannic acids, starch components, which help to relieve swelling, attenuation of inflammatory processes, spastic reactions.
This is the best coffee alternative for breastfeeding women. The drink tones up, prevents the development of gastric and cardiac pathologies.
Such a product can be bought at the store or prepared independently. In the latter case, you have to collect acorns (in October-November), bake the fruits in the oven to a pink hue, peel, grind with a coffee maker and cook.
Coffee with milk or cream added
Since it is important for breastfeeding mothers to consume as little caffeine as possible, you can dilute a cup of coffee with milk or cream. In addition to the fact that the product reduces the amount of the basic component, it also saturates the body of the mother and child with calcium. If you choose between a black drink and coffee with milk, it is better for a young mother to give preference to the second option: it is softer for the digestive system, does not irritate the stomach.
Attention! In the process of preparing a drink, it is important to really reduce the concentration of coffee. For example, to the usual 100 g of the component, put only 1/3 of a spoon (not the same 100 g) and add milk or cream. This option is really less harmful.
To drink her black invigorating liquid or not, the woman must decide for herself. If a nursing mother has decided not to give up coffee for the period of breastfeeding, she is advised to follow several rules for drinking a drink:
- During the first 12 weeks from birth, the baby adapts to new foods. Drinking an invigorating liquid during this period is highly undesirable.
- Mommy should pamper herself with a cup of coffee only in the morning, after feeding the baby. After 1.5 hours, the active ingredient reaches its maximum concentration in mother's milk. Until the next feeding, the alkaloid level will decrease.
- You should not get carried away with coffee: experts recommend drinking no more than one small mug per week.
- Preference should be given to dishes of the minimum size: sometimes it is quite enough to feel the pleasant aroma of a drink for a woman to satisfy her desire.
- To prevent dehydration, you need to drink more clean water. A black liquid drunk in any quantity should be followed by a glass of drinking water.
- When caffeine is consumed, calcium is washed out of the body. To compensate for the deficiency of the component, more dairy products should be consumed (kefir, fermented baked milk, fat, cottage cheese, etc.).
- If a woman makes a choice in favor of an invigorating liquid, she should limit the use of foods containing caffeine (chocolate, what kind, tea, etc.).
- To reduce the concentration of caffeine, the drink can not be brewed, but brewed and allowed to brew.
- The product must be introduced into the female diet gradually, monitoring the condition of the newborn.
Fresh aromatic coffee is a weakness of many women. It is not easy to refuse this drink, because it is so nice to start a new day with it. But what about coffee if the girl has given birth to a child and is breastfeeding? K, but also during breastfeeding. Today we will tell you whether it is possible to drink coffee while breastfeeding, and in what form it is most safe for mom and her baby.
Drinking coffee while breastfeeding: is it possible?
It would seem that coffee is simply necessary for a nursing mother - a glass of drink will relieve fatigue, drowsiness, give vigor, which will not be superfluous in the first months of a baby's life. But in reality, not everything is so simple. If caffeine is beneficial for an adult and improves well-being, then even a small fraction of the substance is harmful for a child.
According to medical standards, it is acceptable for a healthy person to drink 4 cups of coffee a day. This amount corresponds to 400 mg of caffeine (an average cup of a medium-strength drink contains 100 mg of caffeine). Is it possible for a nursing mother to drink coffee in such quantities? The unequivocal answer is no. During lactation, the maximum allowable daily intake of caffeine should not exceed 100 mg, which corresponds to 1 cup of coffee.
On a note! Coffee can appear in the mother's diet no earlier than the child is 4-5 weeks old. The drink should be introduced into the menu when breastfeeding gradually, with monitoring of the reaction of the baby's body to this product.
The benefits of coffee for nursing mothers
In reasonable amounts, natural coffee can even be good for moms. Roasted coffee beans contain more than 300 different essential compounds, which makes this drink rich, fragrant, and at the same time low in calories.
- Coffee beans are rich in carbohydrates. These substances are energetically valuable for the body. As part of the drink, they are represented by simple sugars (fructose, sucrose) and complex polysaccharides (fiber, cellulose, pectin). Carbohydrates are an indispensable basis for the nutrition of nerve cells in the brain.
- The composition of coffee includes several minerals that are important for the body of each person, and especially for a nursing mother: phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium. These inorganic elements ensure the stable functioning of the muscular system, are part of the bones, and actively regulate the functioning of the brain, blood vessels and heart muscle.
Note! Caffeine in the drink contains about 1-1.5% of the total mass of the coffee component. But even this small amount is enough to manifest its tonic effect on the human body.
The effect of caffeine on the baby - why is coffee terrible for breastfeeding?
All the numerous debates about the dangers of coffee for nursing mothers are based on several statements:
- Caffeine causes increased excitability and is harmful to the nervous system of an infant;
- Caffeine is not excreted from the child's body during the first years of life, which leads to its accumulation - and this is very dangerous for the baby;
- Instant coffee contains dyes and preservatives that can cause an allergic reaction in crumbs;
- Coffee does not allow calcium to be absorbed in the body, contributes to its rapid removal, which is unacceptable for a nursing mother.
Important! Despite all the prohibitions, WHO does not prohibit pregnant and lactating mothers from drinking coffee, it only limits the amount to 3 cups a day. At the same time, the health organization does not clarify the strength of the drink, its naturalness and the addition of ingredients like milk.
5 rules for drinking coffee during lactation
Saying a resounding “no” to your favorite drink indefinitely is not easy enough. Many mothers decide not to give up coffee and gradually indulge themselves with a couple of cups a day. Here are some tips for you to minimize the effects of coffee during lactation.
Avoid instant coffee
Drink only the coffee that you yourself have prepared from roasted beans. This is the only way you can be sure of the quality of the drink you are going to drink.
Reduce the amount of caffeine
In order to reduce the amount of caffeine in 200 ml of the drink, boiling should be avoided. You just need to pour boiling water over the ground coffee and let it brew.
Drink coffee in the morning
It is safest for a nursing mother to drink a coffee drink in the morning, preferably immediately after feeding the baby. By the next application to the breast, the concentration of caffeine in breast milk will decrease significantly.
1 cup coffee + 1 cup water
Coffee is a diuretic drink, it removes fluid from the body and can quickly cause dehydration. Maintaining a fluid balance for a nursing mother is very important, so after drinking a cup of coffee, be sure to drink a glass of clean water.
Increase your calcium intake
All the calcium that you “washed down” with your morning coffee will not be absorbed by the body. Coffee lovers need to additionally include cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt and cheese in the diet. Nursing mothers often suffer from a lack of calcium after childbirth, and if you love coffee, it must be doubled.
Coffee while breastfeeding: what to replace?
Every sane mom may have a question, is it safer for breast milk drink if it is diluted with other ingredients? Or do you prefer coffee without caffeine at all - is it definitely harmless? Is this really so, let's try to figure it out.
Coffee with milk (cream)
Despite the obvious benefits, coffee with milk can do more harm than a cup of plain coffee. The fact is that cow's milk protein often causes allergies in infants. The enzyme system of infants in the first months of life is not able to digest it, the body does not absorb this protein, and diathesis appears. It is possible to dilute coffee with milk for a nursing mother only if the child does not have an allergy, he is healthy and develops well.
Decaffeinated coffee
A tart drink with the encouraging name “decaffeinated” still contains caffeine in its composition, otherwise it would not be coffee at all. It's like a marketing scam. The technology for removing caffeine from coffee is very complicated, the raw material goes through many stages of processing (including chemical ones), and as a result, not the most useful product is obtained. And although there will be a minimum amount of caffeine in this case, the drink can hardly be called healthy, because such coffee cannot be recommended to nursing mothers.
Chicory
A drink made from the root of the plant called “chicory” has long been used as a coffee substitute. The roots are dried, roasted, and the result is a drink similar in taste and color. The main advantage of chicory for nursing mothers is that it is quick to prepare (soluble), does not contain caffeine, does not cause a habit to use, and is rich in antioxidants. But chicory does not give “the same” cheerfulness.
