Author Topic: Caffeine...  (Read 1425 times)

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Offline Violet's mom

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Caffeine...
« on: December 13, 2013, 15:04:20 pm »
Hi everyone - I think this is the right place for this!

How many of you drink a cup of coffee everyday while breastfeeding?  My pediatrician said a cup and a half is ok for breastfeeding moms, but I worry about the side effects.  I drank half a cup yesterday and v seemed to do fine (was maybe a touch difficult for pm nap but that isn't unusual).  Anyway, I'm going back to work and think I will be more successful with continuing bf'ing if I have a little pick me up in the am...
What are your experiences?  Did you see a drop in supply or notice your LOs change at all?
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill (like I usually do)?

Thanks!


**Tracy**

Offline MasynSpencerElliotte

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2013, 15:12:04 pm »
I have a mug of coffee every morning (I think it is about 10oz worth) and have done all through pregnancy and since giving birth with no effect on my supply or baby. Would not be functioning otherwise!!!
Heidi




Offline weaver

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2013, 15:26:29 pm »
I think it's admirable to be cautious :)

Having been super careful mama for LO1, it would just have been impossible to cope with toddler and pg and then toddler and baby without something to get me through! Because Vi is not a tiny baby any more, I really don't think you need to be too precious about it, even with a tiny one, the key is *timing*.  if you feel like being careful, have your coffee straight after a feed or a good couple of hours before. I apply the same rule of thumb to alcohol. The amount of either getting into your milk will be minimal. LO2 is still feeding at 18 months and I'm having at least two large mugs of tea during the day. No problem.  I have discovered that some herbal teas do also have a pick-me-up effect, without the caffeine. 
*Anne*, loving mama to a honeybee (2010) and a sweetpea (2012).  BF for 4 proud years.


Offline Violet's mom

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2013, 15:33:44 pm »
Just a little peak into my brain, weaver - when you mentioned herbal teas I started googling herbal teas that aren't good for breastfeeding, stopped myself, and decided I would stick with coffee haha. 
Now I am going to make myself a cup.
Thanks for the feedback of your experiences!  Good to know  :D


**Tracy**

Offline Katet

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2013, 15:36:11 pm »
I actually found that with DS2 who I had 2 cups/day with was a better sleeper & no reflux, but DS1 who I tried to stay off was a worse sleeper & had reflux, so IMHO if I had a third, I'd stick with my 2 cups/day (instant)... my cousin drank 3-4 instant coffees a day with all 5 of her children & BF them past 18months & all of hers were fantastic sleepers & grown up to be beautiful successful adults.
dc1 July 03, dc2 May 05

Offline cuckoochick

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2013, 15:59:35 pm »
Hmmm, I drink a couple of cups of weak coffee/tea per day. ::)




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Offline goldmom

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2013, 17:18:59 pm »
Totally also wondering if anyone has gone from no coffee while pg or bf to starting to drink coffee and if there was any effect. I'm wondering if there's a difference if you one day start having more coffee than usual.

Offline anna*

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2013, 17:38:11 pm »
I drank coffee constantly all the time I was BFing Audrey. Many cups per day - coffee all morning and tea all afternoon.





Offline amayzie

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2013, 19:21:10 pm »
Totally also wondering if anyone has gone from no coffee while pg or bf to starting to drink coffee and if there was any effect. I'm wondering if there's a difference if you one day start having more coffee than usual.

I stopped coffee all together hile pregnant and went pretty much back to it with gay abandon when hamish was born. I can't remember exactly how much i began drinking- but i think on occasion i had more than one a day- and there were no discernable side effects.. I was probably similar to Anna- probably not as many cups- but i pretty much only drink espresso coffee, so it's strong!
Katy, Mummy to Hamish!


Offline *Ali*

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2013, 23:53:02 pm »
I don't drink coffee but do eat too much chocolate and the occasional coke or tea which obviously contain caffeine.

Too much caffeine can keep baby awake but if you are finding it isn't causing problems then I don't see the harm. If it does seem to unsettle her then maybe cut down a little.
Cadan Dec 2009 and Colby Aug 2011


Offline Fiver

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2013, 00:06:23 am »
Like Ali said, some babies are affected by caffeine transferring through milk, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that caffeine can actually be beneficial in terms of supply, but I can't remember where that was, so don't quote me on it :P

As with anything, I would say that moderation is key.  If you're drinking 10 shots of espresso per day you might notice some ill effects (in you and baby!!), but if you're having one cappuccino or a couple of cups of instant it's probably going to be less of an issue.
*** Amanda ***




Offline Shiv52

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2013, 00:07:10 am »
I don't drink coffee but I drink tea all day long and I never noticed an issue.





Offline Fiver

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Re: Caffeine...
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2013, 00:08:17 am »
*** Amanda ***