Can you drink energy drinks while breastfeeding?

Can you drink energy drinks while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a necessity for your baby except if you have reasons not to. However, it is not an easy task. Breastfeeding drains energy!. This is because your body uses 25 percent of its energy to make breast milk, and this can be tiring. This is why most women ask “Can you drink energy drinks while breastfeeding?” They simply want to boost their energy level in order to cope with breastfeeding. But the question is: Is it safe to drink energy drink while breastfeeding? Will it affect your baby through breast milk.

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The truth is: Drinking energy drinks while breastfeeding is not recommended. It is a no-no. You will find out the reasons in this article.

Let’s get started.

We will start by looking at what an energy drink is?

What is an energy drink?

An energy drink is a drink that contains caffeine, sugar content, and other chemicals. The drink gives instant energy and stimulation. People who need energy drink it. They come in different forms with some being carbonated and non-carbonated, some contain herbal extracts and amino acids.

Examples of energy drinks are Red Bull, Rockstar, Monster, and Bang.

Energy drinks are not good for breastfeeding moms because of the content. Let’s check them out below.

Energy drink content

1.    Caffeine

Energy drinks contain a high dose of caffeine than what is obtainable in a cup of coffee. It gives more energy jolt than coffee. Too much caffeine causes health problems such as irritability, heart palpitations, dizziness, migraines. It can increase your body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Looking at the side effects of caffeine, does drinking caffeine while breastfeeding affect the baby?

When you take in a high amount of caffeine as a nursing mother, it enters the breast milk and is given to your baby. The baby can take 0.06 to 1.5% of the caffeine you drink through breast milk. The caffeine stays long in infants than in older babies. The half-life of caffeine is around 120 hours in an infant and it reduces to 14 hours when the baby gets to three to five months of age. So, this causes caffeine stimulation in babies. Therefore, drinking caffeine while breastfeeding can make your baby become irritable and fussy. Caffeine in breastmilk also keeps your baby awake.

2.   Artificial sweeteners

Energy drinks contain sugar and artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame. Aspartame makes you lose weight and then you will start falling sick slowly. The FDA itemized the side of Aspartame as blurred vision, headaches, confusion, drowsiness, and depression episodes among other diseases. Therefore, taking energy drinks with aspartame will boost your energy level, but it will also bring to fore, all the diseases lying idle in your body.

How do artificial sweeteners affect a breastfeeding mom?

Actually, there is no clear negative impact of artificial sweeteners on babies.

3.   Vitamin B

Energy drinks contain Vitamin B in a very high amount. Vitamin B is good for the body, but when taken in an excessive amount could lead to liver toxicity, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal upset, blurred vision, etc. Do you know that a can of energy drink gives you about 100-200% of Vitamins RDA?. When you take it two times, it results in an overdose.

Can a high dose of vitamin B affect breastfeeding?

Taking an energy drink high in Vitamin B6 such as a 5-hour energy drink while breastfeeding is not safe. The recommended dose of vitamin B6 per day is 50 milligrams.

Vitamins B is present in major energy drinks such as red bull, monster energy, and Rockstar energy drinks.

4.   Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid present in energy drinks. It is also produced in the body. In fact, it is found in breast milk. It supports neurological developments and regulates the amount of water and minerals in the blood. But the question is: Is taurine safe while breastfeeding?

What is the effect of taurine on breastfeeding babies?

Taurine and breastfeeding do not go together. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink energy drinks that contain taurine. This means taurine is not safe while breastfeeding.

Taurine is used in most energy drinks such as Monster energy drink, rockstar energy drink, Red bull, etc.

5.   Ginseng

Ginseng is an Asian herbal supplement that has been in use for long. It is present in most energy drinks. The side effects are headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues. It could also affect blood pressure and blood sugar. Drugs.com did not recommend Ginseng for breastfeeding moms because of a lack of safety evidence.

6.    Guarana

Most moms ask “can I have guarana while breastfeeding”? Guarana is a plant that is cultivated in the Amazon. It contains a high amount of caffeine. Taking guarana while breastfeeding is not safe for your baby. This is because the caffeine in guarana can pass into your breastmilk and affect your baby. It is present in major energy drinks such as Monster energy and rockstar energy drink. Therefore, Guarana while breastfeeding is a no-no.

Do energy drinks affect breast milk?

Not directly. It is the content of the energy drinks which are in excess that affects babies. Most of the ingredients in energy drinks are in high amounts.

Now, let’s take a look at the energy drinks in question.

Monster energy and breastfeeding

Most breastfeeding mothers ask “can you drink monster energy drinks while breastfeeding”? The truth is, Monster energy drinks like their counterparts have a lot of caffeine. a 160z can of monster contains 160mg. That is too much caffeine to consume at once. Caffeine can stay in the body for 3- 5 hours. That is the half-life it takes for your body to eliminate half of it. The remaining half can stay in your body for a long time. Drinking monster energy drinks while breastfeeding can pose hazards to your baby, such as fussiness, sleep problems, and irritability. It also contains other substances like Panax ginseng which could affect the baby negatively. The side effects on the baby are nervousness, shakiness, heightened anxiety, skin rashes, insomnia, and diarrhea. That is a lot to deal with because of a can of Monster energy drink. So, taking monster energy drinks while breastfeeding is a no-no. It is not safe.

Bang energy drink and breastfeeding

Most moms wonder and ask “can you drink bang energy drink while breastfeeding”?Bang energy drink is becoming very popular in recent times. This is because of its no sugar, no carbs, and no calories component. However, does it mean you can drink bang energy while breastfeeding? It is a no-no. Read on to find out.  A can of 16 ounces of bang contains different substances such as sodium, potassium, vitamins, Magnesium, and of course a whole lot of 300mg caffeine. That is a lot of caffeine in your system at a time and it can affect your baby. Also, it is written on the can that bang energy drink is not suitable for nursing mothers. So, drinking bang while nursing is not recommended. 

Red Bull and breastfeeding

Can you drink Red Bull while breastfeeding? No, you can’t. This is because it contains lots of caffeine. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. Although it seems low compared to other energy drinks, it still contains other substances that can also affect your baby. Moreover, it is written on the can that it is not also recommended for breastfeeding moms. Red Bull can stay in your system for about five to six hours and that is the half-life. The remaining 50 percent can stay long in your bloodstream. So, drinking red bull while breastfeeding is not safe.

Rockstar energy drink and breastfeeding

Is rockstar energy drink safe while breastfeeding?  A 16oz Rockstar energy can contain 160mg of caffeine. It also contains other substances like taurine, artificial flavors, guarana seed extracts, all of which are not good for breastfeeding mothers. It is also written on the can that Rockstar is not recommended while breastfeeding.

5-hour energy drink and breastfeeding

Can you take a 5-hour energy drink while breastfeeding? A serving of 2oz of 5-hour energy drinks contains 200mg of caffeine. That is a lot! Other ingredients include vitamin B6, taurine, malic acid, folic acid, citicoline, etc. Taurine and Caffeine are not suitable for breastfeeding mothers. This is why it is written on the can and on their website that the drink is not recommended for nursing mothers. So 5-hour energy drink while breastfeeding is a no-no. 5 hour energy and breastfeeding cannot go together.

Best energy drinks for breastfeeding

After reading to this point, sure you are wondering “what energy drinks can you drink while breastfeeding? Do you know there are the best energy drinks for breastfeeding? If you must drink energy drinks while breastfeeding try healthy and natural juices. They boost your energy and immunity against diseases.

Second, take a cup of coffee or tea per day. Caffeine in small amounts will boost your energy without hurting your baby.

If you must take energy drinks, consult your doctor.

Can you drink energy drinks while breastfeeding?

Back to the question, can you drink energy drinks while breastfeeding? Based on the issues raised above, it is safe to say No. Don’t drink energy drinks while breastfeeding for the sake of your baby. Abstain from it until you win your baby, then you can drink as many cans as you want. And if you must drink energy drinks, there are the best energy drinks for breastfeeding such as natural juices.

Check out the Ultimate Breastfeeding class to become a pro at breastfeeding within 90 minutes!

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