caffeine & alcohol

So lately getting up and going in the morning has been getting harder and I have been eyeing my husbands coffee. I used to drink it but gave it up when I became preggos and now I am EBF but I will have a few sips here and there. And there are days when I drink half a coke and feel so guilty when BF after. I know you can have some but I still worry that they are getting the caffine too. How many of you drink coffee or caffinated beverages? And how much, how often? I also have a half a beer occasionaly and worry about that too. Anyone else have alcohol here and there?

 

Oh gosh yes, of course you can have coffee & alcohol! I drink a big mug of coffee in the morning, and have a half-caf most afternoons. I don't drink myself, but the rule of thumb I've heard is that as long as you don't feel intoxicated, you're ok to nurse.

Enjoy, mama!

 

I'm not exclusively breastfeeding, but they do get breastmilk every day. I have coffee or cappuccino several days a week. A really big cup. I also have a beer most evenings. The caffeine hasn't bothered the girls yet, so I can't think of any good reason not to have any. I probably wouldn't have more than one beer without dumping some breastmilk, but check with their pediatrician. He should be able to give you some guidelines.

 

You're fine! Get that caffeine, momma!! :lol: I limit myself to one cup of coffee a day, but I know there are people who drink more. And I second Holly's point about alcohol - if you're sober enough to drive, you're sober enough to BF/pump.

ENJOY!

Becky

 

I drink coffee every morning, I don't think I could make it through the day without it. I am even starting to have an iced coffee in the afternoon just to make it until their bedtime. It doesn't seem to bother them since they mostly just sleep & eat at this point. I also have a drink every now and then (or 2). I figure the amount that goes into my breastmilk is so small that it could only make them a little drowsy & who could complain about that. Everything in moderation is fine as long as you don't notice if affecting the babies! Any mom of twins deserves a little splurge!

 

I agree with pp... everything in moderation is fine as long as you don't notice it affecting the babies. I have a couple of beers or glasses of wine when we have dinner plans, and I have probably a lot of coffee (so much for moderation!)... I drink 4 or 5 cups of half-caf per day. I could not live without my coffee... the thought of it is literally what gets me out of bed in the morning!

 

Yes, to both. I drink several teas in the morning and have a drink maybe 2X a week. But it takes me several hours to finish one beer. (Hey- it takes me several hours to do anything these days with two one year olds underfoot!)

Enjoy!

 

I've heard that a couple cups of coffee is fine! I personally don't do any alcohol. It's not that important to me and I'd worry about any possible effects. I have heard a glass of wine is fine. It's just not something I want to chance.

 

I drink a half pot of coffee every morning! And that is limiting myself.

 

QUOTE(cohlee @ Jun 28 2008, 10:53 AM) [snapback]850662[/snapback]
I drink a half pot of coffee every morning! And that is limiting myself.


I'm with her!

And I've been know to enjoy an 'adult' beverage or two also.

No worries!

 

I drink at least one cup of coffee daily, usually more like two!

As for alcohol, I have a glass of wine every night--I used to live in France and we had much more relaxed views on alcohol than most Americans do. That said, I would never BF drunk, but I haven't had so much as a buzz since before the boys were conceived!

 

I don't drink any caffeine still but I do have an occasional beer or 2. I didn't drink caffeine with DD either and made the mistake of drinking a Sunkist not realizing it had caffeine in it. DD's sitter asked me what I had to eat or drink when I picked her up. Apparently she did not sleep the entire day and this was at 5 months. I was VERY careful after that point. But I think if your babies are used to having a little caffeine it should be fine. I went cold turkey when I was pregnant so their little bodies have never had any up to this point. And I want them to sleep!

 

Check out this link (from KellyMom, of course) about how caffeine in your system affects babies. The most interesting thing I took away from it was that very young babies metabolize caffeine very very slowly, so it can build up in their system and have a bigger impact. I avoided it for the first six months because of this, but am now back up to 2 big cups of half caf and a soda or iced tea a day, with no noticeable effect.

As for alcohol, I will admit to a manhattan or G&T every once in a while, right after they go down to bed, when I know I won't have to pump/nurse for several hours...toddler dinners have a way of making one feel like a drink is well-earned and necessary. There's another sheet on KellyMom on alcohol here.

 

QUOTE(cohlee @ Jun 28 2008, 10:53 AM) [snapback]850662[/snapback]
I drink a half pot of coffee every morning! And that is limiting myself.

:lol: thats me in a nutshell cant function or be my sweet self without it

 

I avoided both completely while pregnant and just kept avoiding during the first year. When they were about 14 months, I started having some caffeine again (like one soda or iced tea per day) and the occasional alcoholic beverage but I'm still careful not to have either one too close to a nursing session. I'm very sensitive to caffeine myself and my sleep is affected if I have any after about 2PM so I'm sure I'm overly cautious with it.

 

Yes to both, I drink caff. beverages daily, and my children sleep just fine and they are all tall and skinny and healthy. Alcoholic beverages are not of importance to me, however, I have had wine here and there and if I ever do make it out to a bar setting or something (very very rare), I do have a drink or 2, I never get intoxicated and I generally drink when I know I have just fed the baby and have plenty of time before I feed again.

 

I drink coffee, and sometimes Dr. Pepper - and I don't limit myself on amount too much. BUT, I try not to have caffeine after 4 pm, because I don't want it to keep the boys up at night!

I haven't had alcohol, but that's because I'm not much of a drinker, so a little bit hits me hard. I would not be concerned about a small glass of wine, though.