Green Tea - Corpus Christi,TX

Green tea as with any other tea is discouraged during pregnancy due to caffiene. The same can be said for breastfeeding.
Babies are often sensitive to caffeine intake of the mom (esp. if she avoided caffeine during pregnancy). This is particularly true of newborns to 6mo. as it is more difficult for them to digest/process it.
Sensitivity will result in a wide eyed, alert baby who doesn't sleep long and can be unusually fussy. It will take about a week to see a decrease in symptoms after a mom stops caffeine intake.
In short, it is up to you. You can try it but I would slowly introduce it. If your baby shows sensitivity then back off and try when he/she is older.
Also, just a footnote...there are many foods an infant can be sensitive to while breastfeeding like broccoli and other gas producing foods. If baby is particularly fussy, go back and take a look at what you've been eating. Chocolate cake is notorious for causing gas/loose watery stools.
I think it's wonderful that you are breastfeeding and the benefit your baby receives will far outweigh the temporary sacrifices you may need to make for a short time.
Best wishes for a wonderful experience and congratulations on your new baby.

K.

PS
If you decide to drink caffeinated items, just know that the levels will peak about one hour later, so try to time breastfeedings where they don't fall during that time period.

You need to avoid green tea when pregnant because it blocks folic acid intake, which is needed for brain development and to prevent neural-tube defects. While nursing, you still need folic acid, but it's not as crucial as when growing a baby. Green tea does have caffine though, so you might want to avoid it for that reason. Good luck nursing!

Why should you avoid drinking grean tea when pregnant? I have never heard that. Caffeine should be limited during pregnancy or nursing but tea is a great alternative to coffee. Are you worried about the neural tube issue? I don't think 1 cup a day is going to harm you. Most moms I know drank 1-2 cups of coffee a day during pregnacy and nursing. Obviously, you don't want to drink a cup of coffee and then nurse or right before bed, but green tea has such a low level of caffeine. Although I would avoid concentrated amounts of anything not regulated by the FDA when nursing or pregnant.

Green Tea has caffeine. If your baby is used to the caffeine then 1 cup a day shouldn't hurt.

It is my understanding that we are to avoid the caffeine- can you find a decaf green tea? I am interested in the responses as I too am nursing exclusively.

K