Bolehkah Ibu Menyusui Minum Kopi? Cek Faktanya di Sini!
One question that may cross the minds of many nursing mothers is, are breastfeeding mothers allowed to drink coffee?
The answer is yes, but within limits. Drinking coffee for mothers who are breastfeeding their babies is generally safe and allowed. However, it is not without rules regarding the limits; health experts recommend that the daily caffeine consumption limit for breastfeeding mothers is 300 milligrams (mg). This amount of caffeine is equivalent to 2-3 cups of coffee.
For some people, consuming caffeine, such as that contained in coffee or chocolate, is indeed preferred. Drinking coffee is felt to help new mothers whose sleep hours have been reduced since taking care of their little ones.
Well, this article will explain the effects of coffee consumed by breastfeeding mothers on the baby and the appropriate rules for drinking coffee.
Can Breastfeeding Mothers Drink Coffee & Its Effects on the Baby
Caffeinated drinks, including coffee, can actually affect some babies but are very unlikely to harm the baby. Breast milk expressed by the mother may contain a small amount of caffeine from the coffee the mother consumes.
Drinking excessive coffee can affect the nutritional quality of the mother's breast milk. Nursing mothers who drink three cups of coffee a day have one-third less iron content in their breast milk compared to mothers who do not drink coffee. Whereas babies need iron to develop normally.
Some babies are more sensitive to caffeine than others. How can this effect occur? Well, the caffeine the nursing mother consumes will enter the breast milk. A small portion of this caffeine will be passed on to the baby when they nurse.
A baby's body cannot yet fully metabolize caffeine like an adult's body. As a result, caffeine can accumulate in the baby's body and affect their physical activity.
Babies under 1 month old need 3-4 days to remove caffeine from their bodies. Signs that the caffeine intake from coffee drunk by the mother is affecting the baby include the baby being easily fussy, having trouble sleeping after nursing, being hyperactive, and being restless.
Here Are the Appropriate Rules for Drinking Coffee for Breastfeeding Mothers
Nursing mothers may consume coffee with a caffeine content limit of no more than 300 milligrams (mg) per day. For your reference, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 96 mg of caffeine, and even decaffeinated coffee still contains about 2 mg of caffeine. So, make sure you always read the label so that caffeine intake remains in a safe amount for nursing mothers.
Besides coffee, you must also be wary of caffeine content found in other products such as carbonated drinks, black tea, green tea, energy drinks, chocolate, pain relievers, weight loss supplements, and others.
As for the rules on the recommended time for breastfeeding mothers who still want to enjoy coffee, it again depends on how often the baby nurses. Make sure you breastfeed before drinking coffee or consuming caffeinated products.
If you are craving coffee, you can drink it immediately after a breastfeeding or pumping session. This may provide enough time for the caffeine content in the milk to decrease before the next breastfeeding session.
For those who drink more than 2-3 cups of coffee a day, you can try reducing the amount of caffeine gradually by making a "half-caf" cup, which is a mixture of regular coffee and decaf coffee. Or you can choose a type of coffee with low caffeine, such as decaf coffee.
Breastfeeding is Safer and Easier with Hegen
Indeed, there is no scientific evidence that mothers must stop consuming caffeine while breastfeeding. Answering the question of whether breastfeeding mothers are allowed to drink coffee, it is concluded that it is still permitted to enjoy it, although in moderate amounts not excessive, and depending on the condition of the mother and her baby.
To better ensure the safety of the mother and baby, it is best for nursing mothers to always consult their respective pediatricians to find out what foods and drinks are safe to consume during the period of breastfeeding their little one.
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References
- Alodokter. Ibu Menyusui Minum Kopi, Ini Faktanya. https://www.alodokter.com/ibu-menyusui-minum-kopi-ini-faktanya
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. How Much Caffeine Can You Drink While Breastfeeding. https://www.webmd.com/baby/is-caffeine-safe-while-breastfeeding
- Zawn Villines. 2023. Can you drink coffee while breastfeeding? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322805?_x_tr_hist=true
