Green tea is a popular beverage often consumed for its health benefits. When breastfeeding, it is reasonable to question the safety of consuming any substance, as components can transfer to the baby through milk. Current evidence suggests that moderate consumption of green tea is safe during lactation. This information details the components in green tea, their effects on the infant, and practical advice for consumption.
Active Components That Transfer to Breast Milk
Green tea contains several bioactive compounds, primarily caffeine and antioxidants called catechins. Caffeine is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and passes into breast milk in small amounts. Levels in breast milk typically peak one to two hours after consumption, and the amount transferred is generally less than one percent of the maternal dose.
The main catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which provides the tea’s antioxidant properties. While EGCG is a significant component, its transfer into breast milk has not been extensively measured. Green tea also contains tannins, polyphenols that can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients.
Potential Effects on the Infant and Milk Supply
The primary concern is the caffeine content, as newborns process this stimulant much more slowly than adults. For babies under six months, the half-life of caffeine is significantly extended, meaning it stays in their system longer. This slow clearance can lead to caffeine accumulation in the infant’s system, even from small, repeated doses.
When exposed to excessive caffeine through breast milk, a baby may exhibit signs of central nervous system stimulation. Symptoms include increased wakefulness, irritability, fussiness, and colic-like behaviors. These adverse effects are typically only observed with very high maternal caffeine intake, often exceeding 450 to 500 milligrams per day.
Green tea is sometimes claimed to decrease milk production, but there is no strong scientific evidence to support this concern. Milk supply depends on the frequency of milk removal, not on green tea consumption. The tannins in green tea can potentially interfere with the absorption of non-heme iron (iron from plant sources). This theoretical concern regarding the baby’s iron status is easily managed by adjusting the timing of consumption.
Practical Guidelines for Consumption
The most important factor in safely drinking green tea while breastfeeding is managing total daily caffeine intake from all sources. Health authorities suggest a safe upper limit of 300 milligrams of caffeine per day for lactating parents. Since an average 8-ounce cup of green tea contains approximately 25 to 35 milligrams of caffeine, consuming two or three cups daily generally keeps intake within the recommended limit.
To minimize the infant’s exposure to peak caffeine levels, strategically time your consumption. Drinking tea immediately after a feeding allows the mother’s body time to process the caffeine before the next nursing session. To address the tannin concern, drink green tea between meals rather than with them to avoid interfering with iron absorption.
Parents should monitor their baby for signs of caffeine sensitivity, even when staying within the recommended limits, as every infant’s metabolism is unique. If the baby becomes unusually restless, irritable, or has trouble sleeping, reducing or temporarily stopping green tea consumption may be necessary to see if the symptoms resolve. Decaffeinated green tea is an option to gain the antioxidant benefits without the stimulating effects of caffeine.