Moms who love Pu-erh tea may wonder during pregnancy or while breastfeeding: Can pregnant and breastfeeding women drink Pu-erh tea? Since Pu-erh tea contains caffeine, will it have any impact on the fetus or baby? Let’s take a look at the relevant research and recommendations.
Can pregnant women drink Pu-erh tea?
Yes, in moderation, but daily caffeine intake should be kept under 200 mg.
Pu-erh tea contains caffeine, and medical research shows that high caffeine intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, and could lead to lower birth weights. Therefore, pregnant women should monitor their total daily caffeine intake when drinking Pu-erh tea (accounting not just for Pu-erh, but other caffeine sources like coffee, chocolate, and sodas), keeping it under 200 mg.
Can breastfeeding women drink Pu-erh tea? Will it affect the baby?
Breastfeeding women can also enjoy Pu-erh tea in moderation, but should avoid excessive amounts to prevent too much caffeine from passing into breast milk and affecting the infant.
When a mother drinks Pu-erh tea, caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and can pass into the baby through breast milk. Although the caffeine content in breast milk is usually low, newborns have a weaker metabolic capacity, which means it could still affect their sleep and bowel movements, making them more restless or difficult to fall asleep.
If a breastfeeding mother really wants to drink Pu-erh tea, she can enjoy a cup right after nursing. This gives her body 2 to 3 hours to metabolize the caffeine, so by the next feeding time, the caffeine level in the breast milk will have dropped significantly and won’t have much impact on the newborn.
Moderate consumption of Pu-erh tea is acceptable during pregnancy and breastfeeding, provided that caffeine intake is controlled to protect the health of the fetus or baby. It is recommended to keep daily caffeine intake under 200 mg and limit yourself to no more than 2 cups to ensure the safety of both mom and baby.