Quick caffiene question

[lilysmama1124]

I know caffiene isn't great when nursing newborns because they have trouble processessing and it can build up in their system but with 10 week old twins and a 3 year old I have started giving in to my coffee cravings. Iknow the peak BM levels are at 60-90 minutes but does it move in and out of bm in the same way alcohol does so I can try to time it so they don't eat during that peak time or does it just stay in the milk until I nurse or pump?

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Honestly, I don't know. I've nursed all my babies with a fully-leaded coffee or cola in one hand and the baby in the other. Often. From the newborn stage--while still in the hospital. Still do with my infant. (The others are long since weaned). I also used a lot of caffeine while pregnant.

I don't put much stock into preemptive "you HAVE to avoid XYZ"--that kind of stuff just has the potential to scare new moms from breastfeeding. By making it harder than it is. I mean, if I honestly thought I had to give up caffeine--well, formula is perfectly adequate.

ETA: if the baby starts showing signs of intolerance to something, then adjust.

[Heba]

I agree with 2lilsweetfoxes. Many nurslings do just fine with caffeine (Hale reports pediatric concerns as "rarely, irritability and insomnia").

[Heba]

Oh, sorry didn't properly address your question. I think most things move out of breastmilk at one rate or another, but it seems to be quite slow for caffeine (Hale reports the half-life in adults to be 4.9 hours).

[lifeguard]

Ds has never shown any ill-effects from caffeine. I tried eliminating when I thought maybe it was why he wasn't sleeping more but it made no difference except I felt worse! I say see what works for you & your babe.

[lilysmama1124]

Thanks mamas. I was starting to worry because the girls were getting up every hour at night this week (until last night) I think they were just cluster feeding but wondered if it might be the coffee. I am not too concerned either I just wanted to try and wait to hit the caffiene until the girls were a bit older and could process it faster.

[pumpkin]

I gave into my coffee cravings and then started worrying about the caffeine so I restricted my consumption. DD's sleep and behavior did not change at all. So now I drink pretty freely. I try to keep it within reason, but if I really want a cup I don't worry.