Your guide to coffee for breastfeeding moms

Are you wondering can you drink coffee while breastfeeding? I know, that’s an important question for a super tired mom just trying to survive the endless lack of sleep. You’ve had to limit certain foods and caffeine while pregnant, and now you have to continue to limit certain things while breastfeeding. But you can still enjoy a cup of your favorite morning coffee while breastfeeding! Read on for more details.

Can I have coffee while breastfeeding a newborn?

Yes, breastfeeding moms can have coffee in moderation. Our amazing bodies metabolize most of the caffeine in coffee before it reaches our breast milk. About 1% of the caffeine gets passed through breastmilk.

Pregnant moms are told to limit to 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, is that still the case for breastfeeding moms? And how much actual coffee does that 200 mg amount to? Well, 200 mg is about a 12-oz cup of coffee. A typical coffee mug in the United States holds 8-12 oz. So typically we were limited to one large mug of coffee or 2 smaller mugs.

A slightly larger allowance of 300 mg of caffeine applies for breastfeeding according to the CDC. That’s pretty good news since that means you can have 2-3 cups of coffee (the smaller size cups) throughout your hazy, tiring day. Of course, we still need to consider the amount of caffeine in other food and beverages we consume throughout the day.

Caffeine can be found in many foods and beverages, not just your favorite cup of coffee. These include chocolate, tea, energy drinks, carbonated beverages, sports drinks, and some pain medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, an average 8-oz cup of coffee contains 95-165 mg of caffeine and an 8-oz cup of black tea can contain 25-48 mg.

So, can I drink decaf coffee while breastfeeding? Decaf does still have a small amount of caffeine in it. Also, decaf is acidic and can have some awful ingredients (I have a separate post on the dangers of decaf coffee).

What about caffeine effect on baby?

A small amount of the caffeine you consume can be passed to your baby through breast milk. Most babies are not affected, but some infants can have sensitivity. Preemies and newborns might have more sensitivity to foods the mom eats that can get passed through breast milk.

Signs of caffeine sensitivity in infants include babies having a harder time sleeping, and may become extra fussy or irritable. Studies on the effects of maternal caffeine consumption on breastfed infants have been inconclusive, but some associated coffee consumption with increased infant colic. Some studies noted most mothers have to drink more than 5 cups of coffee before a breastfed baby is affected. If you notice these signs in your baby, stop or decrease the coffee consumption for a week to see if these improve. And you don’t have to “pump and dump” either with moderate consumption.

If you’re wondering how long should I wait to breastfeed after drinking coffee? It is recommended to breastfeed immediately after enjoying your favorite cup of coffee, as the concentration of caffeine in your breastmilk will peak about two hours after consuming the drink.

Does coffee affect breast milk supply?

Ah, breast milk supply. That’s the hot question everyone always wants to know about. Some foods help increase breastmilk supply, such as this lactation oatmeal recipe I have shared, and also this lactation smoothie with superfoods. If you want more ideas, I even have a roundup of lactation recipes.

But whether coffee actually affects your lactation is questionable. In moderation, drinking coffee or soda does not have enough of a dehydrating effect to reduce breast milk supply. If concerned, definitely drink more water and other hydrating drinks like fenugreek tea.

Breastfeeding Friendly Lactation Coffee Recipe

While you’re already enjoying your coffee, why not drink some that help support lactation as well?

I’ve previously shared a lactation overnight oatmeal recipe and the coffee recipe can be similar.

Ingredients version 1:

These are approximate. Please play around with the ratios to see what you like best. Add more milk if the ingredients do not absorb.

1 scoop Instant Coffee of your choice
1 cup combination of water and milk (regular, almond, or coconut) to your tasting
1 tsp flaxseed
1 tsp brewer’s yeast powder
1 tsp ground fennel seeds
1 tsp of coconut oil

Blend and serve over ice for a cool treat! You don’t have to use instant coffee if you want to brew coffee in your coffee machine and then add it to your blender instead of the water and milk combination. You can still add milk or creamer.

Ingredients version 2:

If you’d rather not fuss with brewers’ yeast and other ingredients, get a great protein powder that already includes all the nutrients that support healthy lactation.

1 scoop Instant Coffee of your choice
1 cup combination of water and milk (regular, almond, or coconut) to your tasting
1 tsp of coconut oil
1 scoop of Milk Dust Lactation Protein Powder

Blend or put in a shaker bottle.

Product recommendation: Milk Dust Lactation Protein Powder | Breastfeeding Protein Powder for Milk Supply and Weight Loss While Nursing