Is It Necessary to Avoid Caffeine While Breastfeeding

There is always a question that whether there is any relation between caffeine and breastfeeding. It is said that breastfeeding mothers may drink caffeine a bit. Babies who are under 6 months of age may be sensitive to caffeine intake of their mother. If a mother had stopped caffeine intake completely during pregnancy that baby will show more reactions when her mother takes caffeine now during breastfeeding.

When a baby gets older she may not be sensitive to caffeine, thus after your baby grows a little bit you can start consuming caffeine.

Are babies sensitive to intake of caffeine?

There is always a questions about caffeine and breastfeeding that whether a baby becomes sensitive if their mother intakes caffeine? If there is excessive caffeine consumption then her baby will show signs of caffeine stimulation. If the baby becomes over stimulated from caffeine then they will be over alert. They will not sleep for long time and will be active most of the time. They may be fussy too, that too without any reason.

If you take caffeine in any form and then found that your baby is becoming fussy, it’s time that you cut down the intake of caffeine. Hopefully you will be able to notice some difference within few weeks. However, you should not stop taking caffeine suddenly as it may result in headache and other related problems.
After you stop taking caffeine you will find that your baby is becoming less fussy and this change will come gradually.

Does caffeine decrease milk supply?

Although a major issue for those who discuss about caffeine and breastfeeding, yet there is no such evidence that for caffeine intake the supply of milk may reduce! However, it may happen that when mother takes caffeine their baby may become fussy and thus will not nurse well.

It will consume fewer amounts of milk and with time the supply of milk may get reduced, this is not for caffeine but as the baby is nursing less amount of milk.
So, by drinking caffeine whether in coffee or energy drinks, there will be no effect on the volume of milk produced. It sis the mood of the baby that alters and in long run it may affect the supply of milk too!

What are the sources of caffeine?

Many times you may consume caffeine while breastfeeding as you are simply unaware of the fact that the drink that you are taking has caffeine in it! Thus, you should know about the various drinks and food items that have caffeine.
Coffee is surely one of the main items that have caffeine.

However, the content of caffeine in coffee will depend upon the beans used, the time they are brewed and of course on the size of the coffee cup. Apart from that there are other items too that has caffeine in it like health drinks, tea, energy drinks soft drinks and even some medicines. Thus, next time before you buy something read the label properly.

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