Coffee and breastfeeding: what you need to know

During pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid coffee or to limit intake significantly (no more than one cup per day). Caffeine crosses the placenta easily, exposing the foetus to concentrations similar to the mother's blood levels. To find out more, read our article on coffee and pregnancy.

During breastfeeding, coffee is not a forbidden drink, but there are nonetheless rules to follow. Caffeine, like all substances that pass into the mother's bloodstream during breastfeeding, passes into breast milk.

In the opinion on the risk assessment relating to the consumption of so-called "energy drinks", Anses recommends that breastfeeding women avoid consuming them due to the passage of caffeine into breast milk [1].

The EFSA suggests that "habitual caffeine consumption at doses of 200 mg per day by breastfeeding women does not raise safety concerns for the breastfed infant" [2].

La Leche League states that below five cups of coffee per day, there would be no effect on the breastfed infant. However, above 11 cups of coffee per day, this could be harmful to your baby. This gives a first indication of the quantities not to exceed. We therefore recommend limiting yourself to 2 to 3 cups per day. 

Do also be mindful of your consumption of other drinks and foods that contain caffeine. These are often overlooked: cola-type soft drinks, tea, maté, chocolate… 

As with many substances, reactions vary greatly from one individual to another. Each mother and each baby will respond differently to the same dose of caffeine.

Breastfeeding mothers can experience the same effects of high caffeine consumption as any individual: nervousness, irritability, anxiety, trembling, sleep disturbances[3]… These signs should prompt you to reduce your coffee intake. Furthermore, caffeine may have a detrimental effect on the production, volume, composition and ejection of breast milk[4]. Finally, coffee, like all natural stimulants, is inflammatory and diuretic (it dehydrates us)!

If you would like to boost your energy in another way, our range of fatigue food supplement and compatible with breastfeeding is made for you. 

In breastfed babies, symptoms may include: difficulty falling asleep, reflux, colic or unusual agitation. It should be noted that the younger the baby, the greater the risk, as they are more sensitive to caffeine, although they may become more tolerant as they grow.

Energy drinks should be avoided entirely — they are too high in sugar and loaded with caffeine.

We recommend consuming caffeine in moderation and trusting your instincts! Listen to your body, observe your own behaviour and your baby's during breastfeeding, and act accordingly. If you notice any unusual or different behaviour (tummy aches, difficulty falling asleep…), do not hesitate to stop consuming coffee and caffeine more generally for a few days to see whether your baby's behaviour improves, or speak to your doctor.

If you would like an energy boost, you could for example take a breastfeeding-compatible food supplement rich in magnesium. 

The collagen food supplement Déca Mama, with its coffee flavour and no caffeine, is the ideal alternative to coffee. The collagen also helps to care for your skin and hair. 

As an alternative, the breastfeeding herbal tea can be a good option, caffeine-free, and helps with hydration and supporting milk supply. 

After nine months of pregnancy with little (or no!) coffee and caffeine, it's not a case of going full open-bar on coffee during breastfeeding. That said, there's no need to be saintly while breastfeeding and deprive yourself of your morning coffee! Simply enjoy it in moderation. If you feel it is affecting your baby's sleep or behaviour, cut back accordingly.

But whether you're breastfeeding or not, too much coffee is never a great idea. Coffee, like all stimulants — even natural ones — can be inflammatory. It can be replaced with other drinks such as caffeine-free herbal teas or matcha (which does contain caffeine, but far less than coffee). And for an energy boost, think dried fruit, almonds or walnuts, for example.