Bf-ing and caffine

[sparklekitty]

Ok, this is going to sound a little stupid I imagine but I'm sleep deprived and have been for 7 months so please stick with me.

I have the mother of all non sleeping babies who is bf and now on solids. A good night includes a stretch of 3 hours before feeding again. We're working on it, things are slowly improving.

However, I love coffee and drink tons a fair amount during the day to keep me going or give me a kick when I need it. It wasn't until I offered my friend one when she was over and she asked for decaff that it suddenly dawned on me...am I pumping caffine into my non sleeper thus perpetuating the problem??? I know I'm being a bit thick

[pinksomething]

I know people say it doesn't make a difference but my ds would cry if I drank tea or coffee until a little way beyond 6 months. It was very noticable and very specific. Try giving up for a week and see how you go. It has to be worth a try

[EauRouge]

Not being thick at all! How much do you drink exactly and how old is your baby? In BAMS it says- "Two US studies found that most mothers need to drink more than five cups of coffee before their breastfeeding baby is affected (Nehlig & Debry 1994; Ryu, 1985a; Ryu, 1985b)"

All babies are different and some may react differently than others. Waking every 2-3 hours is definitely within the range of normal for babies (and some toddlers!) so it's not necessarily a 'problem' (aside from being a pain in the arse for you).

Would switching to decaff for a couple of days to see what happens reassure you?

[wellieboots]

I think it very much depends on the baby. For me, I drank a lot of coffee to deal with sleepless nights when DD was newborn. I then went without for a couple of days and she started settling before 2.30am! So for me if definitely made a difference. Can't hurt to try. Good luck!

[sparklekitty]

Def not more than 5 cups a day. My DD is 7mo.

I know 2-3 hours is fairly normal, was kind of hoping that at 7m we might have been able to stretch it out slightly longer :)

My hv told me to night wean her which I'm not going to go!

Think I'll keep my morning coffee the idea of not having it makes me want to cry a little but switch to decaf for a bit.

Any tips on keeping awake? I know lots of water and eat well/avoid sugary food but I'm so drawn to these when I'm so tired!

[Forgetfulmog]

Hi OP, your dd sounds exactly like mine! I too am majorly sleep deprived & am surviving on eating cake, chocolate & having about 4 cups of tea/day. I know sugar isn't good but like you, it's the only way to survive really!

I also take a good multivit & try to ensure I eat a fair amount of fruit & veg each day.

It's bloody tough I know. My dd is the same age as yours & there doesn't appear to be any let up yet!

[EauRouge]

Have you had your blood tested for iron level?

[RememberingMyPFEs]

EauRouge - have you missed the point? I think the OP is exhausted as she is getting no sleep with non-sleeping DC rather than due to iron levels?

[Haywire]

I gave up caffeine a few weeks ago and drinking cammomile tea and it did seem to make a difference DD started sleeping better but on the other hand could be coincidence and I started using Infacol at the same time so could be that or just because she had got a bit older who knows. could be worth a try though I was horrified at thought but have got used to it quickly. I did read that if you abstain from Caffiene in pregnancy it can have more effect on baby no idea if true but Coffee and tea made me Vomit when pregnant so could be something in it.

[sparklekitty]

I abstained from caffeine while I was preg, although I do sometimes worry that unrelenting stress through my whole 2nd trimester had an effect on her.

Eau - not had my iron levels tested, think the exhaustion is mainly due to lack of sleep and crap eating. Saying that I think I'll get some multi vitamins on the go, pretty sure I've still got some breastfeeding ones

[stainesmassif]

Don't worry about the coffee or the non sleeping baby. Go to bed at 8pm. Or ASAP. Forget about 'enjoying your evening' at least for a bit. Get out in the fresh air when you're most knackered. And before you know it, you'll hardly even remember this stage!

[midori1999]

I drank far too much coffee (think 10 plus cups a day) during breastfeeding once I knew I wasn't going to be able to donate milk. I hadn't drunk any while waiting to donate as there are restrictions on how much caffeine you can have an donate. I am back on decaf now as pregnant and it makes not one jot of difference to my DD, although it can affect some babies.

Multivits certainly won't do any harm. I know everyone trots it out as a solution for tiredness due to night feeds, but could bedsharing be an option for you? It certainly saved my sanity when DD was still waking ridiculously often at night.

[EauRouge]

Um, no. I haven't missed the point but low iron levels can also contribute to tiredness. Just thought it was worth mentioning.

[Startail]

I've no idea if caffeine keeps BF babies awake, But my eternally BFing DD2 swigs coke with no effect whatsoever. I fear her coffee swilling mother immunized her for life.

Or it may just be that there are known genetic variations in caffeine metabolism.

[sparklekitty]

Eau I might go to the gp and see about having iron levels checked, I suffered with low iron when I was a teenager but not since then.

We currently bedshare and I'm not looking to put her in her own cot/room until shes sleeping a bit better. I currently go to bed with DD at 7/7.30 and usually sleep with her. Sometimes I'll get up and see DH for a few hours but I mostly stay in bed, I don't usually sleep but I figure I'm resting anf not using my brain etc

[Fazerina]

sparklekitty in addition to the iron-levels, I'd also have them check your vitamin D-levels. Also as we're on the subject of vitamins etc. I've heard that drinking lots of caffeine can make you deficient in vitamin C. I drink two large mugs of coffee a day and now that I've started drinking two large glasses of water mixed with a vitamin C tablet (one of those effervescent ones) on the side of my coffee I feel much better. I know the vitamin C tablets say you're only supposed to have 1/day, but it only stays in your system for 6 hours and it's watersoluble anyway.. Not sure if it's the vitamin C or just the extra water though.. Oh, and if you're lying in bed with bubba already then sleep !

[EauRouge]

Caffeine can also inhibit iron absorption so if your levels are low or if you are drinking coffee with or right after a meal then that might be affecting it.