Presented by Dekor

Hello friends! We ran some testing with our little one and her response to my caffeine consumption. We had a feeling caffeine was affecting sleep onset but the internet wasn’t rally helpful. Our results might surprise you!

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Caffeine Might Keep Moms Awake, But Does it Affect Babies Too?

How caffeine may affect sleep onset

As a breastfeeding mom, the question of caffeine consumption can be puzzling. So we recently embarked on a little science experiment of our own. The hypothesis: Caffeine may be affecting my baby’s ability to nap.

I began to notice that on days when I had two cups of coffee, or even a double shot of espresso in my americano, our baby struggled to go down between naps and was more fussy when waking her for feedings. The big question was: is this a correlation, or just a coincidence? The conflicting advice and scientific studies added to the confusion. It seems safe to say caffeine is safe during breastfeeding, but can caffeine impact a breastfed baby’s sleep?

While some research suggests moderate caffeine intake poses minimal risks, others caution against potential disturbances in infants' sleep and behavior. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development shows that caffeine appears in breast milk fast after a consumption and babies metabolize caffeine very slowly. However, there isn't enough good data to give solid advice on how much caffeine is safe for moms to have. That said, there is a stark difference between the question of safety and sleeping disruption. Mothers drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day, can find their baby getting fussy, jittery, or have trouble sleeping. There is even some evidence showing caffeine may decrease wight gain in newborns. Drinking 2-3 cups a day could also decrease breastmilk iron concentrations. All of this also depends on the concentration of our coffee and the amount of caffeine in each cup.

Striking a balance between enjoying coffee and prioritizing baby's well-being can feel like a delicate dance. I personally look forward to my morning cup of coffee, and the routine and ritual that comes with it. Not to mention there are some days, after long nights it just feels necessary.

So, over the last few weeks I’ve been limiting my caffeine intake to one shot of espresso with steamed milk rater than two shots (or sometimes even 3 🫣). And, while again it could just be coincidence but my baby has been sleeping much more consistently during the day now. Which as many of us know, a happier and easier baby keeps me more sane as well. It's a compromise that acknowledges my need for energy and enjoyment, while respecting my baby's sensitivity to caffeine.

Ultimately, the decision is personal, requiring mindfulness and consideration of individual factors. By listening to our bodies and observing our baby's cues, we can find a middle ground that works for us. Give it a try and tell us what you learned about reducing your caffeine intake.

In last week’s poll, most people said they were not prepared for postpartum depression before they delivered their baby.

Dekor Plus Diaper Pail

The Dekor Plus Diaper Pail is an interesting plastic pail with a trap door, and a step to open design that should mean a hands-free diaper deposit with little escaping odor. This pail contains odor resistant plastic that shouldn't absorb odor or yellow, and is scratch resistant.

We first registered for the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail which featured this twisting seal concept and a build in armor hammer deodorizer. Unfortunately, almost everyone complains of the fact that the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail is very noisy to close due to the twisting gears and it fills up quickly. Compared to the other diaper pails on the market, the Dekor Plus is the largest turkey hands free diaper pail and it can hold up to 60 newborn diapers.

The Dekor Plus keeps odors under control with 2 barriers. There is a lid that flips up with the use of the step pedal and then a trap door under that which opens downwards and shuts quickly as soon as the diaper drops through it into the pail. We have not noticed and odor coming from the diaper pail which is important because of its capacity. The more diapers a pail can hold, the greater the importance of odor control.

You’ll change up to 9,000 diapers before potty training.

The Ultimate Living Parenting Guide & Free Resource List

We decided to compile The Ultimate Living Parenting Guide & Free Resource List for you to explore at your own pace. It is full of everything from free resources to courses, books, podcasts, and online content - all centered around better parenting.

Tell us if you feel we missed anything!