One of the biggest questions that gets asked as a new mom is, can a new mom drink coffee? There is a short answer, yes, a new mom can drink coffee. There is also a bit more too it, like how much can a new mom drink, or is there a specific type she can or can’t drink?
Being a new mom myself this was one of my greatest fears. Yes, it’s not that big of a fear to some, but for an avid coffee drinker like myself, I really didn’t know what I was going to do without being able to have that morning cup of coffee. Or three. Anyone else with me here?
It all starts when you first find out your pregnant. The thought of “oh no, what about my coffee?” You try decaf but it’s just not the same as a cup of fully caffeinated brew. It’s what keeps you going in the mornings, and sometimes afternoon if you’re like me and drink it like it’s water.
Thankfully you can still have that cup or two while you are both pregnant and breastfeeding. But first, Let’s dive in a little deeper on both the benefits and draw backs of having a cup of coffee when you first become a new mom.
So Let’s start at the beginning.
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in different coffee, teas, and other products like cocoa beans. Yes that’s right, it’s in your chocolate too.
It stimulates the central nervous system while helping keep you alert. It also helps to prevent you feeling tired and sluggish for an extended period.
Caffeine targets the brain once absorbed and broken down by the liver.
Adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain, is what causes you to feel tired over the course of the day. Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine on the brain causing you to feel more alert and awake,
Because of it’s effects on the brain, caffeine can be referred to as a psychoactive drug. Sounds a bit scary, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, you shouldn’t start hallucinating when you have your morning coffee. You can read more about caffeine and its effects here.
But How Much Caffeine Is In My Coffee?
Every type of coffee has a different amount of caffeine. I have made a list of a few of the daily types of coffee with their known caffeine content.
- Brewed 8oz – 96 MG
- Brewed, Decaf 8oz – 2 MG
- Espresso 1oz – 64 MG
- Instant 8oz – 63 MG
- Latte 8oz – 77 MG
- Starbucks 12oz – 260 MG
- Tim Hortons 8oz – 80 MG
- Second Cup 16oz – 312 MG
- Mcdonalds 12oz – 109 MG
Its not only the type of coffee that effects the different levels of caffeine, but also the species, type of roast, grind size, and water temperature.
So How Much Can a New Mom Drink?
Experts suggest as a new mom planning to breastfeed you stick to under 300 milligrams of caffeine a day. You can still have that one or two cups in the morning, depending on which kind you go with. For a list of some of the best coffee for a new mom, you can read my reviews here.
Caffeine has many benefits as a new mom, including keeping you awake after a long night of little to no sleep. Some other benefits include,
- Increases Alterness
- Increses Stamina and Endurance
- Boasts Metabolism
- Caffeine is an Antioxidant
- Improve Memory
- Increases Speed Reaction times
Along with these many benefits there are also many drawbacks, which include:
- Causes Insomnia & Anxiety
- Urgency and Frequent Urination
- DIgestive Problems
- Addiction
- High Blood Pressure
Conclusion
Being a new mom you can see where the confusion comes from about whether you can have a cup of coffee. But, thankfully with all the research there is out there now, its safe to say you can still have your morning coffee. Yay!
If you have any question regarding any of the content please feel free to reach out in the comments below.