Caffeine and breast feeding

8 replies

artichokes · 21/01/2009 11:28

Should you avoid caffeine when BF?

I had a terrible night with a gripey uncomfortable DD2 last night. I am hoping I can blame it on caffeine or goats cheese (both of which i had yesterday) and not have to worry that it is the start of colic (dd2 is 5 weeks).

OP posts:

Marthasmama · 21/01/2009 12:35

I think you can have a little bit of caffeine, about three cups of coffee. But coke, chocolate and tea also contain caffine (which I always forget!). It can also build up in their systems. It might be worth cutting it out for a few days to see whether this improves things. If you can cope without it of course!!!

LadyOfWaffle · 21/01/2009 12:37

I think it has an effect, I read about donating breastmilk and you could not drink red bull or too much coffee. If you can cut back then do, it can't hurt

mothersmilk · 21/01/2009 12:58

i have to say i thought the same with my ds at about five weeks it seemed as though my caffine intake was effecting him so i cut it out and found a little difference but with out realising it my caffine intake rose again and i found no difference in his night time habbits think perhaps it was acombanation of caffine and colic also i tried not to drink coffee after mid day thats all the advice i can give

LackaDAISYcal · 21/01/2009 13:01

Seems like too much of a coincidence but I stopped drinking caffeinated drinks at the weekend (for a separate health issue) and my gassy, unsettled 11 week old DS has slept for eight hours straight for the last three nights!

iwantitnow · 21/01/2009 17:58

I couldn't drink coffee while BFing DD up until she was 5-6months old, then it was fine.

Original poster

artichokes · 21/01/2009 19:46

thanks everyone. i am going to cut coffee from my diet and hope it helps. i have jsut read on Kellymom that it takes newborns 4 days to rid their systems of caffeine after ingesting it through breastmilk - so if she is caffeine sensitive we have two more days of crying to go...

OP posts:

fledtoscotland · 21/01/2009 20:51

I stopped all caffine when DS2 was tiny as he had terrible colicky pain if i had tea/cola/chocolate. i ended up with decaf tea and its OK tbh. now he's nearly 5 months, i still tend to limit myself to 2-3 caffinated drinks a day.

also have started drinking lemonade when out so DS1 can have a mouthful whereas if it was coke he couldnt.

sunshine75 · 21/01/2009 20:52

It's made sod all difference to Dd whether I have none or loads

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