Premature babies aren’t exactly given coffee, but they are given caffeine citrate intravenously to stimulate their still-immature respiratory center and minimize the dreaded breathing pauses as much as possible.

So drinking coffee during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is totally fine, as long as you stick to normal amounts.

But what is considered a normal amount of coffee consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), half of the normally recommended intake is recommended during pregnancy.

200 mg/day instead of 400 mg.

Consuming too much coffee over an extended period during pregnancy can lead to reduced fetal growth.

During the postpartum period, a little more coffee is tolerated. A daily dose of up to 300 mg is considered safe. 1% of the caffeine from the mother’s blood serum passes into breast milk and, if consumed in excess, can cause sleep disturbances and digestive problems such as bloating, etc., in the infant. But again: only if consumed in excess!

What do the recommended limits mean in practice?

So how much can you drink without exceeding the limit of 200 or 300 mg?

The information provided on various websites varies, sometimes significantly. And the caffeine content likely varies as well, depending on the grind size, roast, bean type, temperature, pressure, etc.

But this isn’t a barista website; it’s just meant to give you a rough idea that you women can ENJOY a normal amount of coffee—1–2 cups of latte or cappuccino in the morning and one at lunchtime.

So here are a few drinks with their mg values:

1 cup of black filter coffee = 80–100 mg

1 cup of cappuccino with 40 ml of espresso = 50 mg

1 espresso (25 ml) = 30 mg

1 cup of black tea = 45 mg

1 cup of green tea = 30 mg

1 glass of cola = 50 mg

1 glass of energy drink = 80 mg

1 cup of cocoa = 8–35 mg

50 grams of milk chocolate = 10 mg

50 grams of dark chocolate = 30 mg

Hopefully, this list makes it clear enough that moderate consumption is perfectly possible. Drinking Red Bull or Coke by the can, on the other hand, is definitely not recommended.

From what I’ve observed, some women wear themselves out trying not only to follow every recommendation correctly, but to do even better than perfect—for example, by completely giving up coffee. However, this often adds no value; rather, it reinforces the feeling that pregnancy and breastfeeding are exhausting and involve too many sacrifices.

A sensible approach to coffee, tea, “chocolate and Coke”—one that allows for moderation but also some indulgence—seems to me to be a good way to go.

Here is the link to the European Food Safety Authority. EFSA

and the German Nutrition Society ( DGE )