Can You Drink Decaf Coffee While Breastfeeding?

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Decaf coffee is a popular alternative to regular coffee that contains less caffeine but has the same aroma and flavor. As experts advise nursing mothers to limit their caffeine intake, you would want to know if drinking decaf coffee while breastfeeding is a safe option. Knowing this is essential as regardless of the content in your coffee, it still has some caffeine that may affect sensitive babies (1).

Read on as we tell you more about the safety of decaf coffee during lactation, its nutritional value, and its effects on you and your baby. But before we understand how caffeine affects breastfeeding moms and their babies, let’s first understand the difference between decaf coffee and regular coffee.

Caffeine Levels In Regular Coffee And Decaf Coffee

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The average caffeine content in an 8oz brewed cup of coffee is 95mg, while average caffeine content in decaf coffee is about 3mg. It means, decaf coffee is not caffeine-free but contains a lesser amount of caffeine than coffee.

The reason is, decaf coffee is produced after processing the coffee beans to remove at least 97% caffeine. Caffeine from the beans is removed with the help of solvents like water, carbon dioxide or organic solvents. The beans are then roasted and ground.

Also, the level of caffeine depends on the type, cup size, and the preparation method.

According to a study, a cup of decaf (180ml or 6oz) has 0 to 7mg caffeine, while a cup of regular coffee has 70 to 140mg (2).

Quick fact

The four methods used to decaffeinate coffee beans are safe, and the FDA has strict standards and checks in place to ensure that trace amounts of solvents in decaffeinated coffee are within safe limits (5).

This Table Shows The Caffeine Levels In Various Coffee Types

The following is provided to assist consumers in understanding the contribution of various foods to caffeine intakes.

Source: (3)

Nutritional Value Of Decaf Coffee

The nutritional value of decaf is the same as that of coffee.

The nutrition content of decaf is the same as that of coffee.
Just like regular coffee, decaf contains antioxidantsⁱXSubstances that may prevent or slow down some types of the cell damage caused due to harmful molecules called free radicals. , but some percentage (15%) may be lost during the decaffeination process. The primary antioxidants in decaffeinated coffee are hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenolsⁱXNaturally occurring antioxidant compounds found in food items such as fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, and wine. . Other minor elements in decaf include 4.8% of potassium, 2.4% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, 2.5% of niacin, or vitamin B3.

When the nutritional values are almost the same, then why should you shift to decaf coffee, at all? You might want to enjoy your regular cup for an energy boost, right?

Not right, because the higher content of caffeine (that is present in the regular coffee) can have some adverse effects on you and your baby.

Effects Of Caffeine On Breastfeeding

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), moderate caffeine consumption during breastfeeding, which is two to three cups or 300mg a day, should have no effect on a nursing infant’s health (4).

• Caffeine may get accumulated in nursing babies if their mothers consume it at high levels, i.e., 750mg or more a day. But some babies who are highly sensitive to caffeine may show crankiness or turn colicⁱXPersistent crying in babies without any apparent reason. even at lower levels.

• Babies cannot eliminate caffeine from the body, resulting in irritability, jitteriness, insomnia, and constipation.

Theresa, a nursing mother, documents how switching from regular coffee to decaf helped her baby boy, James, sleep better. She notes, “I gave up regular coffee, and it’s been ten days since I quit the caffeine cold turkey. I did it to see if it would help even out sweet baby James’ wonky sleep issues, and it seems to have worked. Even though I was always under the impression that decaf was vile, I have been consuming it for ten days, and James is sleeping better (ⅰ).”

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• Caffeine is diureticⁱXA substance that enables the kidneys to produce more urine and get rid of the excess fluid from the body. in nature and causes dehydration in nursing mothers.

• Chronic caffeine ingestion by the nursing mother could lessen the iron content in her milk.

• Caffeine consumption may affect the milk supply and let-down reflex (the milk ejection from the breasts) of a nursing mother with nipple vasospasmⁱXThe constriction of blood vessels in the nipples reducing the blood flow, thus leading to pain and temporary whitening of the nipples. . The constriction of blood vessels in the nipples reduces the blood flow, thus leading to pain and temporary whitening of the nipples. .

Now you know why limiting caffeine consumption is important for maternal health. They may ask you, “Why take a risk, you might as well avoid coffee completely.” We can assure you that’s not required.

Quick fact

Most babies consume a moderate amount of caffeine, which is 1.5% of the maternal dose (6).

Nursing Moms Can Have Caffeine

The American Academy of Pediatrics has categorized caffeine to be usually compatible with lactation. As a nursing mother, you don’t need to avoid it completely. Drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day or decaf coffee during breastfeeding is perfectly acceptable.

Rather it is a lactose-free alternative to regular coffee for lactose-intolerant mothers who love coffee.

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Mothers also need to remember that caffeine is found in many other foods and beverages like soda, chocolate, tea, and more. If decaf coffee is consumed along with caffeine- containing foods, then caffeine levels in breast milk could rise.

Infographic: Effects Of Caffeine On Breastfeeding

Caffeine can reach your baby through breast milk, and in some cases, it could cause irritability and difficulty sleeping in infants. Look at the following infographic to learn more about the effects of caffeine on breastfeeding. If you are unsure about the safe quantity to consume while nursing, talk to your doctor for guidance.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Nurture your understanding of the impact of caffeine on your baby’s health as a breastfeeding mother, delving into the intricate biology of breast milk and the transfer of caffeine to your little one.

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Rebecca KoyfIBCLC, CLC

Rebecca Koyf is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC),Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a LaLeche League volunteer. She has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and worked as an Auditor for the NYC Comptroller’s Office for 8 years. Her own breastfeeding struggles made her change her career and pursue the field in lactation. She has her...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. At MomJunction, Shinta writes on mother and child health and wellness. Previously, she worked as a scientist for three years, involved in developing...more