Is it safe to have caffeine while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding parents can drink coffee, tea, and other caffeine-containing beverages in moderation. Caffeine does appear in breastmilk soon after the parent has consumed it, and babies don’t metabolize caffeine as quickly as adults; caffeine accumulation in the infant can lead to symptoms such as wakefulness, restlessness, and irritability.^[1] Although there’s not enough high-quality research to support an evidence-based recommendation, a general limit of 300–500 mg of caffeine daily from all sources (including sodas and supplements like guarana, as well as coffee and tea) has been suggested for the lactating parent, with the caveat that this limit should be lowered for people who are breastfeeding preterm infants and newborns.^[2] Finally, it’s worth noting that high caffeine consumption may reduce iron in breastmilk. One study of Costa Rican mothers found that those who consumed more than 450 mg/day of caffeine had less iron in their breastmilk at 1 month postpartum than those who consumed less than 450 mg/day, so if iron deficiency is a concern for the infant, lactating parents may wish to discuss moderating caffeine intake with their healthcare provider (keeping in mind that even in the absence of caffeine intake, breastmilk is low in iron; full-term infants’ iron stores supply the majority of their iron needs during the first 6 months of life).^[2][3]