Q. I love to start my early morning with a cup of coffee. My concern is, has anybody saw any problems with LO while consuming decaf through out the day? I much like the taste of it so I have the tendency to drink everything day long. Most likely about 3 mugs in a day. Can you drink decaf coffee while breastfeeding?
Luxury is unwinding in the morning enjoying the dawn and sipping a hot cup of coffee. How to ease stress? Have a cup of coffee. How to fight sleepiness at work? Gulp down some coffee.
Coffee is so supreme that the majority of us can’t close our day without drinking a minimum of one cuppa. But when you are breastfeeding, you have numerous sacrifices to make, and coffee is definitely among them.
Isn’t it tough to cut your lifeline, coffee, due to the fact that you are breastfeeding? It is tough, however you need to. Nevertheless, the bright side is you have an alternative which is as great as coffee.
IYTHEALTH.com tells you why decaf is the option, what nutritional worths it has and then also explain why caffeine can be bad for you and the baby when breastfeeding.
But first, let’s see why you can drink decaf coffee however not the routine coffee.
Nutritional Value of Decaf Coffee
The nutritional worth of decaf is the same as that of coffee.
| Coffee, instant, decaffeinated, powder (for example) | |
| Nutrition Facts | |
| Serving Size | 1 tsp rounded |
| Calories | 4.03 |
| Calories from Fat | 0 |
| Total Fat | – |
| Saturated Fat | – |
| Trans Fat | – |
| Cholesterol | – |
| Sodium | 0.41mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0.77g |
| Dietary Fiber | – |
| Total Sugars | – |
| Protein | 0.21g |
| Water | 0.06g |
| Caffeine | 2.2mg |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A | – |
| Vitamin B6 | – |
| Vitamin B12 | – |
| Vitamin C | – |
| Vitamin D | – |
| Vitamin E | – |
| Vitamin K | 0.03mcg |
| Folate Total | – |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.51mg |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | – |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.02mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | – |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium | 2.52mg |
| Copper | – |
| Fluoride | – |
| Iron | 0.07mg |
| Magnesium | 5.6mg |
| Manganese | 0.02mg |
| Phosphorus | 5.15mg |
| Potassium | 63.02mg |
| Selenium | 0.31mcg |
| Sodium | – |
| Zink | – |
Similar to the routine coffee, decaf consists of anti-oxidants, however some percentage (15%) may be lost during the decaffeination process.
The main anti-oxidants in decaffeinated coffee are hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols. Other minor elements in decaf include 4.8% of potassium, 2.4% of the suggested daily intake of magnesium, 2.5% of niacin, or vitamin B3.
When the nutritional values are practically the same, then why should you move to decaf coffee, at all? You might wish to enjoy your routine cup, right?
Not right, due to the fact that the higher content of caffeine (that exists in the regular coffee) can have some unfavorable impacts on you and your baby.
Read also about drinking apple cider vinegar while breastfeeding.
Caffeine Levels in Standard Coffee & Decaf Coffee
The average caffeine content in an 8oz brewed cup of coffee is 95mg, while typical caffeine content in decaf coffee has to do with 3mg. It indicates, decaf coffee is not caffeine-free but includes a lower amount of caffeine than coffee.
The reason is, decaf coffee is produced after processing the coffee beans to eliminate at least 97% caffeine. Caffeine from the beans is gotten rid of with the help of solvents like water, CO2 or organic solvents. The beans are then roasted and ground.
Likewise, the level of caffeine depends on the type, cup size, and the preparation approach.
According to a study, a cup of decaf (180ml or 6oz) has 0 to 7mg caffeine, while a cup of routine coffee has 70 to 140 mg.
This Table Shows The Caffeine Levels In Various Coffee Types
The following is supplied to help consumers in understanding the contribution of different foods to caffeine consumption.
| Serving Size: | Caffeine | |
| Coffee, brewed from grounds, prepared with tap water, decaffeinated | 1 сup (8 fl oz) | 2.37 mg |
| 1 fl oz | 1.78 mg | |
| 100 gram | 1 mg | |
| Coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared, decaffeinated | 1 fluid ounce | 0.3 mg |
| 100 gram | 1 mg | |
| Coffee, instant, decaffeinated, powder, prepared with water | 6 fl oz | 1.79 mg |
| 1 fl oz | 0.3 mg | |
| 100 gram | 1 mg |
Effects of Coffee on Breastfeeding Mother
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, moderate caffeine consumption during breastfeeding, which is 2 to 3 cups or 300mg a day, need to have no result on a nursing baby.
- Caffeine might get collected in nursing infants if their mothers consume it at high levels, i.e., 750mg or more a day. But some children who are extremely conscious caffeine might show crankiness or turn colic even at lower levels.
- Babies can not remove caffeine from the body, leading to irritability, jitteriness, sleeping disorders, and constipation.
- Caffeine is diuretic in nature and causes dehydration in nursing moms.
- Chronic caffeine intake by the nursing mom could reduce the iron content in her milk.
- Caffeine usage might affect the let-down reflex (the milk ejection from the breasts) of a nursing mom with nipple vasospasm.
Now you understand why decaf is much better than coffee. The low caffeine levels in decaf coffee need to not position any damage to breastfed children as less than 1% of caffeine ingested by the mother ends up in the breast milk. Nevertheless, this depends on the baby’s tolerance levels.
Are you asking us, “Why take a risk, I might as well avoid coffee completely”? Then, let’s inform you that’s not needed.
Is It OK to Drink Decaf Coffee While Breastfeeding?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has actually classified caffeine to be typically suitable with lactation. As a nursing mother, you need not prevent it entirely. Drinking decaf coffee during breastfeeding is perfectly acceptable.
Moms likewise need to keep in mind that caffeine is discovered in lots of other food sources like soda, chocolate, tea, and more. If decaf coffee is taken in along with caffeine- consisting of foods, then caffeine levels in breast milk could rise.
For further guarantee, speak with your doctor and take her guidance. Have you tried decaf while breastfeeding? How is the taste? We hope the above info was practical. Do not hesitate to share if you know any info.
