PARENTS
How Too Much Coffee Can Backfire for New Parents
Why you should think twice before turning to caffeine when you're exhausted.
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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PARENTS
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
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You may recall from school that the body’s cells use a special fuel called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). As ATP is used in brain cells, it leaves behind a heap of plain adenosine. By the end of the day, so much adenosine builds up in each cell that it starts a chain reaction that creates ‘cobwebs’ in our brains, forcing our minds to lose focus and our eyes to close.
That is where coffee can come to the rescue!
Caffeine masks natural fatigue and blocks the brain from recognising that adenosine levels are high, which stops that ‘I am sleepy’ message so you feel wide-awake. Caffeine also causes the release of adrenaline–providing a little jolt of nervous energy–and it boosts dopamine, one of the brain’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals.
Caffeine may seem like a tempting quick fix when you are short on sleep…but beware! Caffeine can pass into the breast milk and can cause your baby to become irritable and more awake. And if your baby is not sleeping...chances are you will not sleep either.
Furthermore, caffeine lingers in the body for over 12 hours (a quarter of the caffeine from a noontime Americano is still in your blood at midnight). This can keep you from being able to sink into deep sleep. And the fatigue from too little deep sleep may make you feel even more tired, irritable and depressed and make you reach for even more caffeine the next day.
My suggestion? Limit your coffee to just a morning cup. If you are exhausted, try to take a nap, rather than mask your fatigue with caffeine (or with similar stimulants in tea, cola, energy drinks, supplements, or chocolate).
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
