Can Breastfeeding Moms Drink Coffee?

If you’re a coffee drinker, you may wonder if you’re allowed to drink coffee while breastfeeding. It’s an important question to ask because you want to make sure that what you consume isn’t going to be harmful to you or your baby. The good news? Yes - most moms can safely drink coffee while breastfeeding!

However, like most aspects of breastfeeding, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind regarding caffeine intake.

Coffee and Breastfeeding: Is It Safe?

When you drink coffee (or any other drinks and food that contain caffeine), a small amount of caffeine does make its way into your breast milk. Research shows that less than 1% of the caffeine you consume transfers to your baby through the content of breast milk. This is such a small amount, so for most moms, there is no need to worry too much about having their morning cup of coffee.

The CDC states that moderate caffeine consumption - approximately 200 to 300 mg per day - is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. That works out to about two to three 8-ounce cups a day, depending on the strength of your brew.

How Much Coffee Can I Drink While Breastfeeding?

Most experts recommend staying under 300 mg of caffeine per day while you are breastfeeding. For reference:

• A typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine.

• A shot of espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine.

• Black tea, green tea, soda, and even chocolate all contain varying caffeine levels.

This means you’ll want to keep track of your caffeine consumption from more than just coffee. Many new moms are surprised to realize how much caffeine they actually consume when adding up coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and energy drinks.

Tip: If your baby seems extra fussy, alert, or has trouble sleeping, it may be worth reducing your caffeine intake to see if it helps. Babies are more sensitive to caffeine, especially newborns under six months old, because their bodies process caffeine more slowly.

Decaf Coffee for Breastfeeding

If you love the taste of coffee but want to limit your caffeine content, decaf can be a good choice. While decaf coffee isn’t completely caffeine-free, the caffeine content is much lower - usually around 2–5 mg per 8-ounce cup.

If you choose to go this route, you can enjoy the flavor and comfort of coffee without adding significantly to your daily caffeine levels. For some moms, switching to decaf in the afternoon is a great way to cut back on caffeine intake while still getting that cozy coffee moment.

Tips for Drinking Coffee While Breastfeeding

Here are a few updated tips to help you enjoy coffee without stress:

1. Time It Around Feeds - Caffeine levels in breast milk peak about 1–2 hours after you drink coffee. If you’re worried about the effects of caffeine on your baby, try enjoying your cup right after nursing, so the levels will be lower by the time your baby feeds again.

2. Watch for Patterns - If your baby seems fussy, restless, or has trouble sleeping, try eliminating coffee (and other sources of caffeine) for a few days. Then reintroduce it to see if you notice a difference.

3. Don’t Forget Other Sources - Remember that your caffeine consumption includes more than coffee. Chocolate, certain protein bars, pre-workout powders, sodas, and especially energy drinks can all contribute to your overall caffeine intake.

4. Be Mindful of Iron - Research suggests that high amounts of caffeine (we’re talking greater than 450 mg) might slightly reduce the iron content of breast milk. This isn’t usually a major concern for moderate coffee drinkers, but it’s one more reason to stay within recommended limits.

5. Hydrate Well - Coffee can have a mild diuretic effect, so be sure to drink enough water throughout the day. Good hydration is important for your energy and milk supply. I always recommend incorporating good-quality electrolytes while breastfeeding.

Final Thoughts: Coffee and Breastfeeding Moms

For most mothers, enjoying one to three cups of coffee a day is perfectly fine. The majority of babies don’t react to the small amount of caffeine that transfers into breast milk, and moms often find that their daily coffee helps them feel more awake and energized during the postpartum period.

However, every mom and baby are different. Some babies are more sensitive to caffeine than others. If you notice changes in your baby’s mood or sleep after you consume caffeine, you may want to scale back and see if things improve. This is especially true for newborns.

As always, if you have concerns about caffeine while breastfeeding, consult your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant. My team is available for virtual consults worldwide and would love to help you navigate this and any other issue you might be having!

So go ahead and enjoy your morning coffee - for many moms, it can bring a sense of normalcy back to those sleep-deprived days of having a newborn. Just keep moderation in mind, stay aware of your total caffeine content from different drinks and food, and you’ll be just fine.