Congratulations! Your baby is here! You are now counting your sleep in short two-hour blocks, the laundry basket is overflowing, and you are running on a mix of love and pure exhaustion. Especially during those first intense weeks, a warm, steaming cup of coffee in the morning feels not just like a drink, but like a survival must-have.
But what about coffee when you are breastfeeding?
You don't have to cut it out completely! The slightly less pleasant news: it is not unlimited, and it is more sensitive in those very first weeks than later on.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) maintains the same safety limit during the breastfeeding period as during pregnancy: a maximum of 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. This equates to about two standard cups of coffee at home.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also states that regular intake of up to 200 mg per day does not pose a risk to your little one.
When you really think about it, you realize how long that period of advice lasts in total: nine months of pregnancy, plus another six months to a year of breastfeeding. You quickly reach a year and a half during which you are consciously managing caffeine, and that is exactly the period when you could use that quiet moment with a cup of coffee the most!
How much caffeine actually ends up in breast milk?
Fortunately, less than you might think! According to LactMed (the leading American database for medicines and nutrition during lactation), a baby receives only 7 to 10 percent of your weight-adjusted caffeine dose.
LactMed summarizes the research nicely:
- In mothers who drank up to five cups of coffee per day, no stimulating effects were seen in babies three weeks and older.
- Clear restlessness was only measured at extremely high intakes (from 10 cups of coffee per day).
- The European limit of 200 mg is therefore a very cautious, safe margin and not a strict 'alarm threshold'.
Where your baby might notice it
If your little one does react more sensitively to caffeine, you will often recognize it by:
- Restlessness and being more easily irritable
- Difficulty falling asleep or shorter naps
- A slightly faster heart rate
These are, of course, exactly the same symptoms that occur in many newborn babies (think of cramps or growth spurts). Do you suspect a connection with your coffee intake? Try switching to decaffeinated for a week and see if you notice a difference. That gives much more clarity than guessing!
Newborns and premature babies: give it some time
This is an important detail that is often overlooked: a newborn baby's tiny body breaks down caffeine very slowly. The liver enzymes are simply not fully developed yet.
Where a four-month-old baby processes caffeine within a few hours, it can take much longer for a newborn or premature baby.
Our tip: Be a little more cautious in the first few weeks after birth. As your baby grows and gets stronger, his or her body will be able to handle it better and better.
Timing: does it help to plan your cup?
The peak of caffeine in your breast milk is approximately one hour after drinking it. Feeding just before you drink your coffee can therefore make a difference.
But don't make it too complicated for yourself. Caffeine remains in your system for several hours anyway. Much more effective is the golden rule: no more caffeine after 12:00 PM. Not just for your baby, but especially for your own sleep quality. Every minute of rest you can get is worth its weight in gold!
What you can drink carefree and unlimited
Herbal tea and fruit tea are naturally caffeine-free. The Nutrition Centre lists rooibos, chamomile, ginger, mint, and fruit tea as safe choices.
Do pay attention to these exceptions:
- Fennel, anise, and cinnamon: These are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to naturally occurring plant toxins.
- Licorice tea and star anise: A maximum of 1 to 1.5 cups per day (due to your blood pressure).
Rooibos is on the completely safe list, with no maximum. It naturally contains 0 mg of caffeine, so you can enjoy it carefree at any time of the day.
A nice moment of rest during the night feed?
It's three o'clock in the morning. The world is asleep, your little one is nursing quietly, and you are enjoying the silence in the house. These are those magical, but sometimes quite intense moments when you especially need a nice, warm mug in your hands.
Regular coffee is out of the question at that hour if you want to fall back asleep peacefully later. And a bland cup of hot water feels like a poor consolation.
With Rooipresso®, you can prepare a delicious, full, and warm base in thirty seconds, which you can turn into a creamy rooicino with some frothed milk. Gentle, comforting, and 100% caffeine-free. This is how you turn that quiet night feed into a real treat for yourself, after which you can crawl back into bed worry-free.
Choose the form that suits you
Whether you quickly pop a capsule into your Nespresso® machine between feedings or quietly brew a cup with a portafilter:
|
Product |
Rooipresso® Capsules |
Rooipresso® Ground |
|
Price |
€ 5.95 |
€ 10.95 |
|
Suitable for |
Nespresso® machines |
Espresso machine, moka pot, French press |
|
Handy for |
The fastest treat in between |
If you like to dose it yourself in the kitchen |
|
Caffeine |
0 mg |
0 mg |
View the ground rooibos (€10.95) →
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With some frothed (oat) milk, you can make a delicious, creamy rooibos cappuccino in no time!
The practical middle ground: how to find the balance
For most breastfeeding mothers, this daily rhythm works best:
- Morning: One real coffee or cappuccino (± 60–120 mg) to get started nicely.
- Rest of the day & night: Carefree caffeine-free with rooibos cappuccino or herbal tea.
- First weeks: Be extra gentle and cautious for your newborn's sensitive gut.
This way, you keep your familiar treat without having to count or doubt all day long!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much coffee can I drink when breastfeeding?
The Nutrition Centre and EFSA advise a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine per day. This amounts to approximately two standard cups of coffee at home.
Do I need to pump and dump breast milk after a cup of coffee?
No, that is absolutely not necessary with a normal intake! Only a small percentage of the caffeine ends up in the milk.
Is rooibos safe during breastfeeding?
Yes, absolutely. Rooibos is naturally 100% caffeine-free and is on the Nutrition Centre's safe list without restrictions.
What can I drink during night feedings?
Anything that is caffeine-free! Rooibos espresso is ideal: it gives you the nice feeling of a warm, luxurious cappuccino, but won't keep you (or your baby) awake at night.
Enjoy your treat carefree
Rooipresso® is 100% pure rooibos espresso from the South African Cederberg region. Naturally caffeine-free, pure, and ready in your own machine.
Moreover, a portion of every purchase goes to the Rooi Roots Fund, with which we support local projects focused on nature, education, and opportunities for children in South Africa. Good from the ground up.
Order Rooipresso® Capsules (€5.95) →
Order Rooipresso® Ground (€10.95) →
Want to read up on all the guidelines for pregnancy again?
Read our guide: Rooibos during pregnancy: safe and without a maximum →
Sources
- Voedingscentrum. How much coffee and tea can you drink when you are pregnant or breastfeeding? — voedingscentrum.nl
- Voedingscentrum. Rooibos tea — can I eat this if I am pregnant? — voedingscentrum.nl
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Caffeine. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda (MD). — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine. EFSA Journal, 2015;13(5):4102. — efsa.europa.eu
Last updated: August 2026
This article has been compiled with care based on public guidelines and scientific publications. It serves as general information and is not medical advice. Always consult your midwife, GP, or maternity clinic if you have questions about your specific situation.