Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : May 25, 2016 10:25 AM IST
Want to lose those bulges that you gained during pregnancy? Drink a cup of green tea.
Bored of drinking water to stay hydrated and maintain your water intake? Sipping a cup of warm green tea is not a bad idea!
Want to cope up with sleepless nights and stay fresh and active? The first thing that comes to mind is green tea.
Right from losing weight to stay energetic, lactating women often tend to prefer green tea over other options as it is packed with numerous health benefits. But is it healthy for a lactating mother and the baby? Here s what DrNupur Gupta, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Director Well Woman Clinic, Gurgaon has to say.
When it comes to drinking green tea during breastfeeding, bear in mind that moderation is the key. In most cases, it is recommended that one should not drink more than one to two cups of green tea in a day. It is because green tea contains caffeine, which might affect the sleeping pattern of the baby as it is passed through the blood stream and then breast milk to the baby. On the other hand, limiting the intake of green tea might help in preventing dehydration caused due to a high amount of caffeine. Also read about 5 diet dos and dont s during breastfeeding.
In some cases, intake of caffeine is known to cause growth restriction in infants. When consumed in excess, say more than 3 4 cups a day, the overall growth is hampered. It can lead to low birth weight of the baby if drank during pregnancy, in addition to problems in sleeping. It has also shown that an increased intake of caffeine can affect head circumference and bone length of kids, thereby affecting the overall growth of the baby. Moreover, it might cause irritability and increased bowel activity in nursing infants [1]. Hence, it is wise to cut down your intake of green tea or replace it with fresh fruit juices. Here are 10 things you should NEVER do while breastfeeding.
Reference
Minirth, F., Krusz, J. C., Horewell, A., & Neal, V. (2005). The Christian's Guide to Natural Products & Remedies: 1100 Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and More. B&H Publishing Group.
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