A Cup of Wisdom 

Who doesn’t love a good cuppa?! Last summer, visited this delightful display at the #BuGa2023 national garden show, showcasing a plethora of plants for herbal infusions. As a dedicated #TeaLover, it caught my eye instantly – though, I must admit, I was secretly yearning for a display of “proper” tea. 

Interestingly, a random woman approached me and insisted that herbal infusions were the way to go, especially for someone in my #breastfeeding shoes. Excuse me, what?! Yes, I had my 3-month-old with me, but we weren’t feeding at the time. And in any case, why do strangers feel the need to dish out unsolicited advice to #NewMums? These microaggressions against breastfeeding mums come at us from all sides! It’s a mystery of the universe, I suppose.

The Great Caffeine Debate

But, as this very forward commentator showed, opinions on caffeine while breastfeeding can be as varied as the tea options at a garden show. Some people are staunchly against it, while others, like me, believe in making informed decisions. After doing my fair share of research, I found out a cup of tea a day won’t hurt – hooray for that!

I’ve previously blogged about the importance of keeping hydrated while breastfeeding. So the question obviously arises as to what we should be drinking.

I dug again into the details on #CaffeineIntake. I found some handy summaries on Healthline and WebMD websites. My conclusion? Just like everything in life, some people - and babies – are more sensitive than others. About 1% of caffeine transfers into breast milk, but unless you’re guzzling over 4 cups of black tea a day (that’s over 200 mg of caffeine), it’s unlikely to have any major impact on your baby’s health, especially after the first 6 months.

If your little one reacts sensitively, you might see some restlessness or difficulty in falling asleep, particularly if you feed about an hour after your cuppa – and especially with newborns and younger bubbas. Plus, if you’re downing multiple cups of caffeine-rich coffee, the nutritional balance of your breast milk might be affected slightly. But fear not, fellow breastfeeders, that morning cuppa to kickstart your day is not the perilous risk some caffeine naysayers claim it to be.

A Twist in the Tea Tale

However, here’s the scoop that those anti-caffeine busybody strangers conveniently forget to share: herbal teas and #HerbalInfusions can demand a bit of caution, too. Some are great for encouraging milk production, while others are actually best avoided. Being a black tea drinker myself, steering clear of herbal infusions is a breeze. But for those of you who might be pondering over chamomile or peppermint, a word of advice – tread carefully. Read more here.

Raise your Glass… errr Mugs

So, in the realm of #breastfeeding and #postpartumhealth, let’s embrace the cuppa that brings us joy and comfort. Let’s make our choices wisely, relying on informed decisions rather than random advice from strangers. Here’s to the mums navigating the delicate balance of #caffeinebreastfeeding – may your tea and nerves be strong, your baby be content and healthy, and your day be filled with the warmth of a good ol’ cuppa! #mumlife #maternity #newmums #firsttimemum #baby