How much coffee can you drink when breastfeeding?
A common question I get asked from new mums is; can I drink coffee when I’m breastfeeding?
In short; yes, you can! But there are a few things to consider before you pour that cup of joe in the morning.
Though babies can’t process caffeine as quickly as adults, breastfeeding mothers can still consume moderate amounts.
While coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks may provide a boost of energy for sleep-deprived mums, drinking too many of these beverages may have negative implications for both mothers and their babies. Some mothers find that their baby becomes unhappy, jittery, colicky and/or sleeps poorly if she consumes too much caffeine.
Approximately 1% of the total amount of caffeine you consume passes through to your breast milk and usually reaches a peak about 60 minutes after you have consumed it. While this amount may seem small, infants cannot process caffeine as quickly as adults. In a healthy adult, caffeine stays in the body for 3-7 hours however, infants can hold onto it for 65–130 hours, as their liver and kidneys are not fully developed.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommends that daily caffeine consumption of up to 200mg is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women (this equates to roughly one cup of coffee).
Here is a helpful chart to quickly reference your caffeine intact:
| Type of Drink | Serving Size | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Energy drinks | 8 ounces (240 ml) | 50–160 mg |
| Coffee, brewed | 8 ounces (240 ml) | M60–200 mg |
| Espresso coffee | 5 ounces (150ml) | 100-145 mg |
| Tea, brewed | 8 ounces (240 ml) | 20–110 mg |
| Tea, iced | 8 ounces (240 ml) | 9–50 mg |
| Cola | 12 ounces (355 ml) | Up to 54 mg |
| Soda | 12 ounces (355 ml) | 30–60 mg |
| Hot chocolate | 8 ounces (240 ml) | 3–32 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 8 ounces (240 ml) | 2–4 mg |
*Note that the Food Standards Code in Australia requires that cola and ‘energy’ drinks be labelled as unsuitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
You won’t find caffeine in just coffee - other sources of caffeine include chocolate, candy, some medications, supplements, and drinks or foods that claim to boost energy. If you consume multiple caffeinated beverages or products per day, you may be ingesting more caffeine than the recommendation for breastfeeding women – so keep this in mind when you’re looking for that morning or afternoon energy fix!
Finally, mothers may be concerned that caffeine decreases breast milk production. However, some research suggests that moderate consumption may actually increase breast milk supply.
It’s recommended to limit your caffeine intake while breastfeeding, as small amounts can pass into your breast milk, building up in your baby over time.
If you are still unsure and have more questions about breastfeeding then book a time to come in and chat with Jessica Wing-Yan Lo. She is an International Lactation Consultant (IBLCE) as well as a registered Physiotherapist (AHPRA, Australia) specialising in women's health and paediatrics.
