Black tea and breastfeeding: monitoring your intake
Drinking black tea while breastfeeding is not prohibited, but it should be consumed in moderation and after seeking your doctor's reviews first.
Theine and its effects on breast milk
What about interactions with breast milk and baby?
Rich in antioxidants, black tea also contains theine, which is the caffeine in tea. It is a stimulant that, when consumed in excess, can pass into your breast milk and be ingested by baby.
Because a newborn's body cannot eliminate caffeine as quickly as an adult's, it will remain in their system for longer.
But what happens if you drink large amounts of black tea during the day? Your baby might become fussy, suffer from sleep disturbances, or even experience diarrhoea. We recommend consulting your doctor before consuming any.
Did you know?
People often wonder what the difference is between theine and caffeine. They actually come from the same molecule, but they do not have the same effects on the body.
Indeed, the body processes them differently: theine is released gradually over time and promotes focused calm due to the presence of L-theanine, whereas caffeine is bioavailable and enters the bloodstream very quickly. That is why coffee is said to be an excitant, while tea is considered a stimulant.
How many cups of black tea are allowed per day while breastfeeding?
It is difficult to give a definitive answer, as not all black teas contain the same amount of theine. Furthermore, every person reacts differently to the molecule.
Also keep in mind that hot chocolate and certain soft drinks contain caffeine. It is therefore important to account for any other food and drinks consumed throughout the day when calculating your daily caffeine/theine intake.
Medical reviews are always essential if you have any doubts regarding the safe amount.
Does black tea reduce breast milk production while breastfeeding?
This is a common question among mothers who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed their baby. To date, there is no scientific evidence on this topic.
On the other hand, tea reduces the body's absorption of plant-based iron due to its high tannin content. It is therefore recommended to drink your cup of black tea between meals.
Infusions and herbal teas: alternatives to black tea
While breastfeeding, you can easily replace black tea or any other type of tea with natural herbal teas or infusions. There are plenty of options to satisfy your cravings: rose, fruit, spices, and more.
Looking for a quality black tea or delicious infusions? Kusmi Tea offers a selection of organic products, crafted 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 certified organic. Discover our Kusmi Tea organic herbal tea and infusion range!
Rooibos is also recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women as it is naturally caffeine-free. It is therefore the perfect beverage during the breastfeeding period.
The decaffeinated black tea option
Decaffeinating your black tea helps significantly reduce its theine content. To do this, simply steep your tea leaves once, then discard the water. Most of the theine is released during the first few minutes of brewing. Then, heat fresh water and steep your tea leaves again. Keep in mind, however, that decaffeinated tea still contains residual amounts of theine.
Choosing the right black tea while breastfeeding
A good black tea is, above all, a quality black tea. To ensure this, opt for certified organic tea. The certification guarantees rigorous controls throughout production and blending, as well as respect for the environment. To discover our range of organic black teas made in Normandy, click here.
The health benefits of black tea
Like its cousins green and white tea, black tea offers many benefits. Starting with its high antioxidant content, which provides multiple health benefits. They are believed to help fight the onset of certain illnesses as well as premature cellular ageing. Moreover, thanks to the presence of L-theanine, black tea is thought to have a soothing effect on the body, as this amino acid may reduce stress and anxiety levels.
There are no contraindications to drinking black tea while breastfeeding, but its consumption should be monitored. Drinking black tea in moderation poses no risk to the baby. Herbal tea, infusions, and rooibos are great alternatives for any mother wishing to reduce or stop their black tea consumption. Any doubts or questions? Speak to your doctor!