By Alison Heyerdahl

Congratulations! You’ve made it through nine months of pregnancy! You’ve restricted your caffeine and alcohol intake for months and may now be wondering if you can once again enjoy a cuppa from your favorite coffee shop.  The good news is that it is safe to consume caffeine while breastfeeding or pumping.  Read on to find out how much caffeine you can ingest per day.

Does caffeine pass to the baby through breastmilk?

According to some sources, about 1% of the caffeine you consume passes into your breastmilk.  These traces of caffeine are generally too small to harm your baby.  However, it must be noted that some babies are hypersensitive, and can display fussiness, irritability, and wakefulness when you consume caffeine.  Preterm and newborn babies are particularly susceptible in this sense because they are not able to process the caffeine as effectively as older babies.   

When you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine passes from your intestines into your bloodstream and ultimately into your breastmilk.  Being a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine produces alertness by blocking receptors that cause feelings of sleepiness.  High amounts of caffeine can also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and it has the same effect on your baby.  

Caffeine remains in the systems of healthy adults for 3 – 7 hours after caffeine is consumed.  Because of their underdeveloped livers and kidneys, infants’ bodies will hold onto it for between 65 and 100 hours.  Therefore, high amounts of caffeine consumed by the mother could build up in the baby’s system over time.

See the following table for more information on the half-life of caffeine – that is, how long it can remain in the system:

How much caffeine can I safely consume?

We know that late-night breastfeeding or pumping sessions can be very tiring, and, understandably, moms often require a morning pick-me-up.  Though babies cannot process caffeine as readily as adults, you can consume a moderate amount without causing harm to your baby.  

Research has found that up to 300 mg of caffeine can be safely consumed which is equivalent to two or three 8-ounce cups of coffee, or five or six 8-ounce cups of tea per day. 

Fussiness, irritability, and wakefulness have been reported in infants whose mothers consume more than ten cups of coffee per day.  If you notice these symptoms in your baby after you’ve had a few cups of tea or coffee, consider reducing your intake.  

Furthermore, don’t consume caffeinated substances such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and sodas just before you breastfeed or pump.  Give your body time to process the caffeine before your baby gets hungry again.  

Finally, although it has been thought that caffeine can result in a decrease in breastmilk production, the opposite is actually true.  Research has shown that moderate caffeine consumption can increase breastmilk supply.  

What should you do if your caffeine intake is affecting your breastfed baby?

If you notice adverse effects such as irritability, wakefulness, and fussiness in your baby, consider cutting down or ceasing your caffeine intake altogether. However, if you have been consuming large amounts of caffeine, wean yourself gradually to avoid side effects such as headaches.  There is no need to stop breastfeeding or pumping while weaning yourself.  

In summary, caffeine is not likely to pose a problem for your breastfed baby if you are consuming moderate amounts (up to 300mg per day).  Try to ensure that you don’t consume caffeine just before breastfeeding or pumping, and if your baby appears to be more sensitive to your caffeine consumption, consider reducing your intake.