Are you a mom who loves caffeine? Here’s something to smile about.
A recent study found that a limited caffeine intake during and shortly after pregnancy may not cause sleeping problems in newborns.
Yep, you read right.
But the key here is moderation. Don’t go overboard with gulping down tea or coffee just yet since the effects of more than 300 mg of caffeine per day – about 12 ounces – is still unknown.
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How’d they reach the findings?
Researchers from the Federal University of Pelotas, in Brazil, worked with 885 moms who answered questions about their caffeine habits and their babies’ sleeping patterns at 3 months of age.
Here’s what the answers revealed:
- 20% were heavy caffeine consumers during pregnancy (having at least 300 mg per day)
- 14% were heavy caffeine consumers 3 months after their child was born
- 14% said that their 3-month old baby woke more than thrice per night (the waking frequency reported by heavy caffeine drinkers was not statistically greater compared to those reported by the light consumers )
Wait! Before you psyche yourself up for the 300 mg limit per day…
Dr. Barth, former chairman of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and who was not part of the study, says that the 300 mg daily limit for breastfeeding moms is thought to be safe for healthy full-term babies.
The case may be different for preterm babies since they metabolize caffeine at a slower rate.
What does this mean? Preemies may react more to smaller doses of caffeine passed on during breastfeeding.
Now, you may be asking: Why is the limit 300 mg?
According to Modern Medicine, that’s because other studies have found that going over 300 mg during breastfeeding is associated with babies being fussy, jittery and having sleep problems.
So there you have it caffeine loving mama. A bit of coffee, tea or soda here and there may not cause sleeping problems in your baby. But don’t get your hopes up. You’re still far from getting 8 full hours of sleep.
Care to share your thoughts?
About Anne Mercado
This is funny, I wish I would have seen this study when I was pregnant, each of my pregnancies and while I was nursing I didnt drink coffee, when I really needed that taste of coffee I would just have 1 cup of decaffinated, but that was once in a blue moon. Great post Anne.
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Someone told me once that decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine. Odd right? Anyhoo, I’ve always heard that a bit of coffee, tea and soda during pregnancy didn’t hurt.
Really? I’m not sure I believe this one….
I’m glad they admit they don’t know the effects of more that 300 mg.
I still haven’t returned to caffeine after having the twins – I just feel so much better without it.
Leigh
Q is for Queen’s country
Twitter: Twinfun1n1
Glad you feel better without caffeine, Leigh.
I believe it a little bit—I know I’d sneek a few sips from hubbys cup while pregnat and nursing…my kids sleep fine.
At least they are honest about NOT KNOWING about higher amounts.
Need a lilttle crowdtap help….
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Haha Pamela, did your husband know that you were sipping from his coffee? But it’s great that your little ones sleep fine.
I wonder if the test was done of first time parents or second. Sometimes babies are more fussy in the beginning because we are learning to be parents too.
I remember dropping all caffeine during my first pregnancy, and only doing half and half, if any, while I breast fed him for a month. He was a colicky kid none the less. Hardly slept. And that was a kid mostly on formula.
My second I drank an espresso while pregnant here and there, and drank coffee every morning. About 2 cups worth. (Now I’m up to 4 and I still breastfeed him almost exclusively. While breastfeeding I have not “watched” my coffee intake. I drink what I want really. My second child has slept better then the first, and we had the BEST birth experience.
So my thoughts were while having MEGA doses of espresso might be harmful. It’s really not a BIG deal to drink coffee.
Maybe the hormones in very few women react and therefore it might affect their babies that way? It might not even be caffeine it might be something it does to the milk of certain women because of hormones? Who knows.
It’s always nice when studies confirm you can drink the blessed coffee! haha Goodness knows it’s a desired drink with waking up with the kids.
Outside Cleanup, with a 3 yr old.
Hi Sarah! It seems that it’s different for everyone. You’re lucky that you get to drink coffee and your kiddo is fine. Some may have noticed effects of drinking caffeine.
Thanks for sharing your experience
Have a great weekend!
Yeah, I am not believing this one either. Caffeine does affect the majority of newborns. This might be a study done on heavier women, women with perfectly balanced hormones or specific women who eat certain types of foods. You could do the same study with a totally different group of women and come up with a different result.
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It makes sense that our bodies all respond differently to caffeine therefore we might be passing it on to our babies even in small quantities. However, I still do believe that a bit of it can’t do any harm. Thanks Jacqueline, love hearing about others’ point of view.
I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT! Having 6 kids, I freaking new it!
And now because of your post, so does everyone else!
Sharon
Dear MrsMom, We Have Eligible Singles In Your Area…
Twitter: http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/
Sharon you are funny! Were you gulping down tons of coffee when you were pregnant and breastfeeding?
Well, to be honest with the first two I drank a lot of soda, but with the last 4 I drank way more water. HOWEVER! When I had coffee or soda I enjoyed every…single…drop!
Dear MrsMom, We Have Eligible Singles In Your Area…
Twitter: http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/
Soda is always good
And am glad you enjoyed every single drop.
Seems like I remember my daughter being colicky for the 3 months and I didn’t drink very much coffee either. But I was going through a separation and taking care of her on my own. Lots of stress.
Twitter: mgilstrap19
Thanks for sharing that, Michelle.
Another reminder that moderation in everything is key.
Exactly, Gina! But we needed to be told what “moderate” is is in this case. Haha. Thanks for leaving a comment (and being honest).
Not a mom, but rather a dad, but my wife didn’t drink coffee during the three pregnancies and none of our kids were fussy at all. So I can’t comment either way. But, I can say they ARE fussy now in their teens!
Hi Craig! You’re one of the lucky few who had easy babies then! But I guess teens are different, eh? Thanks for the comment.
My Mom had 10 kids and she drank coffee from the time she got up until she went to bed. She breast fed and none of her children were cranky or didn’t sleep well.
Hi abacnok! Thanks for sharing that bit with us and have a happy weekend!
no problem lots of things are killing us slow so why worry?
test post 3
Twitter: revampyourmind1
Well that is true. A lot of things are slowly killing us… but uhh, as for me, I’d rather live longer
Thanks for dropping by!
Oh, but there had been studies that caffeine intake during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. Of course that means a considerable amount of caffeine. When I was pregnant I was strongly adviced not to drink coffee and tea – especially green tea. So I didn’t take any. I din’t want to risk even if it’s just a very very slight risk.
About causing a nursing baby to be sleepless, my daughter must have been in the lower percentage that reacts big on coffee. When I gave birth, I started drinking coffee again coz you know, the “big” nights and early rises just calls me for getting some help to stay awake especially during feeding time… but I did notice a lot of effect on my daughter being super hyper and sleepless after my heavy coffee drinking sessions.
Spanish Pinay
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You’re right about the studies that link caffeine to miscarriages. Some doctors tell their patients that a bit of caffeine is okay while others are against it. I’d rather be on the safe side myself and avoid it all together – but that’s because I’m neither a coffee nor tea drinker.
I love coffee…it’s my everyday poison hahaha! But if ever I would be a mom, I’ll skip it altogether. I think I can sacrifice having headaches now and then, just for the little one who needs to be as healthy as possible.
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Hi Aileen. Some doctors allow pregnant women to take caffeine in moderation while some don’t. In the end, a mother does what she thinks is right
I Love Coffee ! I’m Glad It Doesn’t Have A Great Effect On Newborns. I Need My Coffee In The Morning !
Girl in Progress
Yup there are quiet a few coffee and tea lovers who gave a sigh of relief after reading this. Glad you seem to be one of them.
This is a reassuring find for all us moms who feel guilty for drinking a soda or cup of coffee here and there just to keep up with the daily grind. I recently tried to wean myself off of caffeine completely and found that my breastfed baby (who was about 8 months old at the time) became fussy and irritable as a result. I had been careful to not exceed 300mg of caffeine a day previously, but I guess it was still enough for him to become just as addicted as I am. I have since resumed drinking my morning (and sometimes afternoon) soda, but I wonder how he will fare when I begin to wean him from breastfeeding. Perhaps I should slowly lower my caffeine intake until then so it is easier on him.
It’s great that you’re still cautious about your caffeine intake as studies are never really certain until they are.
Thanks for dropping by Amy and hope to see your around here more.