Luckily I did not have to face these doubts during my pregnancies and lactations, because I do not drink coffee, but surely many mothers have raised doubts about the effect of caffeine on babies. As well, As regards the baby's sleep, a moderate amount of coffee does not seem to affect.
A study recently published in the journal "Pediatrics", conducted in an eminently coffee country like Brazil, concludes that the baby's dream would not be damaged just because his mother likes to drink one or two cups of coffee per day, according to a study over almost 900 recent mothers.
However, before launching happily into the coffee maker, it must be borne in mind that for years research has reached mixed results on whether caffeine consumption in pregnancy was related to an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth, although More recent studies have failed to demonstrate that greater danger.
Regarding the effect on the baby's sleep, not much was known about whether caffeine intake during pregnancy or breastfeeding could harm him.
The results of Ina Santos and her colleagues at the Federal University of Pelotas, in Brazil, did not support high caffeine intake during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but are in line with research that suggests that modest amounts would not imply dangers.
The experts interviewed 885 recent mothers about their caffeine intake and their babies' sleeping habits at three months of age. All but one said they had drunk caffeinated drinks during pregnancy.
About 20% of the participants were considered consumers of high quantities, with at least 300 milligrams daily. Only slightly more than 14% reported high caffeine intake during the three months after delivery. Approximately 200 mg is the amount of an average cup of coffee.
In general, the researchers did not find a clear relationship between caffeine consumption and the likelihood of babies having “sleep problems,” which on the other hand can be quite relative.
Nearly 15% of moms said their three-month-old children woke up more than three times a night, which was considered "frequent." But the chances were not statistically greater among consumers of high amounts of caffeine.
It seems that these conclusions appeared in the Brazilian study support the growing evidence that suggests that moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy is generally safe.
What is the safe coffee limit?
As for breastfeeding, it is generally considered that 300 mg of caffeine or less per day is fine (a cup and a half of coffee), at least, that is the case for healthy babies born at term. However, premature babies and newborns metabolize caffeine more slowly and would be more sensitive to the small amount of caffeine that passes into breast milk.
Other studies suggest that high levels of caffeine during breastfeeding well above 300 mg daily are linked to certain sleep problems and nervousness in babies.
Recall that the caffeine consumed by the mother appears quickly in breast milk, obtaining the peak of concentration at the hour or hour and a half after ingestion. It is therefore important that coffee intake during breastfeeding is in moderation and preferably, that it is decaffeinated coffee.
Although we must also take into account whether it is worthwhile or not to take risks with caffeine, present in drinks such as coffee, tea or cola, which can also contribute to the dehydration of the mother, so if you do not want to alter milk production will have to heed thirst and drink more liquids without caffeine (water or natural juices).
For all this, although Caffeine consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding does not seem to have consequences on babies' sleep at the age of three months according to the study, it is convenient to take into account all the nuances exposed.
