Caffeine and Breastfeeding

�Many women are given�conflicting information about the health benefits (or dangers?) of caffeine, and breastfeeding only complicates things further.� Weigh the pros and cons of caffeine consumption and make a decision that is right for you.

Pros

1. It may be the only way to help you make it through sleep deprived days.

2. If you regularly consume it, you�and your baby could go through withdrawal if you try to�quit.

3. It increases milk production in some women.

4. Very little gets into breast milk.

5. It takes about 60 minutes to reach max concentration in your milk and then it will begin to leave your milk--so you may be able to�time your consumption around your baby�s meals to decrease the amount your baby consumes.

6. It is used in premature and sick babies to help them breathe and sleep. (but�may not be�good for a healthy baby)

Cons

1. It makes some babies irritable, jittery, colicky, constipated or generally unsettled.

2. It takes a REALLY long time to�leave the immature bodies of newborns (80+ hours!!!). It only takes a few hours to clear by the time they are 6 months old.

3. It has been implicated in some cases of recurrent mastitis (but very little research supports this).

4. High intake is linked with iron deficiency anemia in mothers AND babies.

5. Nicotine use intensifies the problems your baby may experience.

If you choose to consume caffeine:

Caffeine can be found in many soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, certain medications, and some weight loss supplements.

Be aware of when you have it and how your baby responds.

How much you and your baby can handle before experiencing side effects will be unique to your family.

Limiting consumption to no more than the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee per day (about 200 miligrams of caffeine) may help you and your baby avoid problems.

References

1. Shapiro R. Caffeine and headaches. Neurological Sciences. 2007;28:S179-S183.
2. Nehlig A, Debry G. Consequences on the newborn of chronic maternal consumption of coffee during gestation and lactation: a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 1994;13:6-21.
3. Dodson W Tyrala E. Caff. secretion into breast milk. Arch Dis Child. 1979;54:787-800.
4. et al. Schmidt B. Caff. Therapy for Apnea of Prematurity. New England J of Med. 2006;354:2112-2121.
5. Le Guennec J, Billon B. Delay in Caff. Elimination in Breast-Fed Infants. Pediatrics. 1987;79:264-268.

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