Black tea and breastfeeding: control your consumption
It is not forbidden to drink black tea while breastfeeding, but in moderation and by first seeking the advice of your doctor.
Theine and its effects on breast milk
What about interactions with breast and baby milk?
Rich in antioxidants, black tea also contains theine, the caffeine in tea. It is a stimulant which, if consumed in excessive quantities, can end up in your breast milk and be ingested by your baby.
The body of newborns does not eliminate caffeine as quickly as that of an adult, so it will stay in their body longer.
But what happens if you drink a large amount of black tea during the day? Your baby might be restless, have trouble sleeping, or even have diarrhea problems. Before any consumption, we recommend that you consult your doctor.
Did you know?
People often wonder what the difference is between theine and caffeine. These are in fact derived from the same molecule but do not have the same effects on the body.
Indeed, the body does not assimilate them in the same way: theine is released gradually over time and provides energized calm due to the presence of L-theanine while caffeine is bioavailable and passes very quickly into the blood. This is why coffee is said to be a stimulant while tea is considered a stimulant.
How many cups of black tea are allowed per day while breastfeeding?
Difficult to answer this question because not all black teas contain the same amount of theine. Additionally, each person reacts differently to the molecule.
Also keep in mind that hot chocolate or some sodas contain caffeine. It is therefore important to take into account other foods and drinks ingested during your day to count your caffeine/theine level.
Medical advice is always essential if you have any doubt about the authorized quantity.
Does black tea reduce breast milk production while breastfeeding?
This question often comes up among mothers who are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed their baby. No evidence exists to date on the subject.
On the other hand, tea reduces the assimilation of iron from plant foods by the body due to its richness in tannins. It is therefore advisable to drink your cup of black tea outside of meals.
Infusion and herbal tea: alternatives to black tea
During your breastfeeding period, you can completely replace black tea or any other type of tea with natural infusions or herbal teas. Know that there are many options to satisfy your desires: rose, fruit, spices, etc.
Want a quality black tea or delicious infusions? Kusmi Tea offers you a selection of organic products, made in our workshops in France. There is something for everyone! As part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and a healthy lifestyle, all our products are labeled organic. To discover our range of organic infusions and herbal teas Kusmi Tea!
The rooibos is also recommended for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers as it is caffeine-free. It is therefore the perfect drink during the breastfeeding period.
The option of detheinated or decaffeinated black tea
Detheineating your black tea allows you to considerably reduce its theine content. To do this, simply infuse your tea leaves for the first time, then drain the water. Theine is in fact released in the first minutes of infusion. Then heat some water and immerse your tea leaves in it. Be aware, however, that detheine tea contains a residual quantity of theine.
Choosing the right black tea while breastfeeding
A good black tea is above all a quality black tea. To do so, opt for tea labeled organic. The designation guarantees you numerous controls during the production and development of the product as well as respect for the environment. To discover our range of organic black teas made in Normandy, go to here.
The health benefits of black tea
Like its cousins green teas or white teas, black tea has many benefits. Starting with its richness in antioxidants which have multiple health benefits. They would indeed help to fight against the development of certain diseases as well as premature aging of cells. In addition, due to the presence of L-theanine, black tea has a calming effect on the body because this amino acid reduces the level of stress and anxiety.
There are no contraindications to drinking black tea while breastfeeding, however this consumption must be controlled. Consuming black tea in moderation poses no risk to the baby. Herbal tea, infusion and rooibos are good alternatives for all mothers wishing to reduce or stop their consumption of black tea. A doubt or a question? Talk to your doctor!