Are you a root beer lover? Do you worry about whether or not it is safe to drink while breastfeeding? You’re not alone! Many moms have this same question. Here’s what you need to know about the safety of drinking root beer while breastfeeding.
So, can I drink root beer while breastfeeding? Yes, root beer is generally considered ok to drink while breastfeeding. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with root beer and other caffeinated beverages. Most root beer brands contain the same ingredients such as artificial flavor, caramel coloring and high fructose corn syrup.
Is It Safe To Drink Root Beer While Breastfeeding?
No research has been conducted on the effects of root beer on nursing mothers and their babies. But we can assume that since it contains caffeine, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, artificial flavor, caramel coloring and sodium benzoate, just to name a few ingredients—it should be consumed in moderation.
If breastfeeding mothers drink soda such as Mountain Dew or root beer while breastfeeding, they have to make sure they’re getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. In addition to these good habits, they should try avoiding or limiting their intake of too many sugary drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, juice and sweetened coffee or tea.
Does Root Beer Contain Alcohol?
Yes and no. Some root beer brands contain alcohol but they are not enough to make you drunk. If you want a totally non-alcoholic beer, they are available too.
If you choose a non-alcoholic root beer, there are no fears of passing alcohol on through your breast milk.
The beverage is actually made from sassafras, sarsaparilla, wintergreen, anise and vanilla. You may have heard of similar beverages that don’t contain alcohol, such as ginger or birch beer.
Does Root Beer Contain Caffeine?
Fortunately, most root beer brands sold in the North American market are free from caffeine. Breastfeeding moms should watch out for their caffeine intake when nursing because it can pass through breastmilk and affect their baby.
This means that if you’re craving a root beer float or an ice-cold glass of root beer, you’re probably safe to indulge. However, keep in mind that most root beers contain 5 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces serving, so this might be something you want to pass on until after weaning.
Many flavors are available but choose those that have no caffeine added.
Most experts say that nursing moms are allowed to drink as much as 300 mg of caffeine per day while breastfeeding, but it’s best to limit your caffeine intake and avoid coffee and energy drinks.
Does Root Beer contain High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a liquid sweetener made from corn. It is sweeter than sugar, and cheaper to produce. As a result, it’s used in many processed foods as a sweetener and preservative.
Because root beer contains high fructose corn syrup (unless it specifically states it doesn’t) and artificial sweeteners and if you drink lots of this beverage while breastfeeding it could cause problems for you and your baby. Too much sugar in your diet is never good.
Certain varieties of this drink especially the diet versions, still contain artificial sweeteners that are considered dangerous.
Does Root Beer Increase Breast Milk Supply?
At this point, you’re probably wondering if there are actually any benefits to drinking root beer while breastfeeding. The answer is probably not.
Some root beers are made from different kinds of leaves, berries, and roots that boost breast milk production and soothe colic. Interestingly, some doctors recommend a stout beer or home-brewed lactation beer to increase milk production for the same reasons.
The evidence for these claims is uncertain at best.
So while there may be some mild benefits associated with certain types of root beer while breastfeeding, they’re certainly not worth the risks. And there are other healthier and safer drinks to enjoy that will help you have more breast milk, why not try coconut water or oat milk.
Can Root Beer Affect Your Baby’s Sleep?
Root beer and other sodas such as Mountain Dew with high sugar content aren’t good for you or your baby. Drinking high-sugar drinks can lead to excess weight gain, which can cause your baby to sleep less soundly and wake up more often.
High sugar intake has also been linked to a higher risk of diabetes. Many breastfeeding mothers limit themselves to having one 8 oz sweetened drink a day.
Nursing mothers should always give themselves time between drinking soda or any beverages containing caffeine, such as root beer and breastfeeding. Caffeine takes about an hour to get out of the system, so they can continue nursing their child without having to worry about passing on the effects of caffeine through their milk.
Conclusion
Yes, you can drink root beer while breastfeeding. However, you should avoid drinking too much root beer, as it can contain caffeine and other ingredients that may be harmful to your baby.
Whilst it’s OK to drink root beer when you are lactating if you do choose to drink soda or root beer while breastfeeding, make sure you limit your intake to one 12 oz serving per day. You should also avoid root beers that contain high fructose corn syrup, as this can be harmful to you and your baby.
Give yourself time between root beer consumption and breastfeeding to avoid passing on the effects of caffeine to your child.
Finally, if a nursing mother wants an increased breastmilk supply, she should avoid junk food and sugary drinks and let her body naturally produce more milk by having a healthy diet consisting of natural juice and nutritious foods (why not try some lactation cookies?). And as always mothers should talk to a lactation consultant and work on a dietary plan.
FAQ
Does Soda Make Breastfed Babies Gassy?
While there’s no research to support whether soda is safe for breastfeeding mothers, there are some things you should know about breastfeeding and gas:
- Most sources of gas in breastfed babies come from swallowed air.
- The lack of research on milk production and soda intake means you should limit your intake or avoid it altogether.
- If your baby seems gassy after drinking breast milk right after you’ve had soda, wait 45 minutes before nursing again to prevent the baby from swallowing carbonated bubbles that could be in your milk.
Can Babies Drink Root Beer?
If you’re considering giving your infants root beer, think again. They are not ok to drink the beverage because the sugary beverage will only lead to tooth decay and an upset stomach. Babies have sensitive stomachs, so it’s best to avoid all flavored drinks, including vanilla soda and cream soda, which are also not good for babies.
Breastfeeding mothers should also drink sodas and root beer in moderation while breastfeeding as well because the baby is getting the contents of everything they eat and drink through their breast milk.
A baby may not be able to tell her mother that she has an upset stomach or a headache after drinking root beer, but she will be able to see it on her face when she cries and fusses.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Caffeine During Pregnancy?
The answer to this is yes, but in moderation. It’s important to remember that caffeine is also present in chocolate, sodas, and other commercial beverages like some teas.
The recommended dose of caffeine per day for pregnant women is less than 200 milligrams or about one 12-ounce cup of coffee.
One 12-ounce can of root beer contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine, which means you can safely have a couple of root beers a week during pregnancy. This does not mean you should make a habit of drinking more than one root beer per day, that level could cause jitters or insomnia in your child.
Additionally, a pregnant woman should not drink alcohol at any point of her pregnancy. A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy and drinking alcohol can negatively impact the nervous system of the unborn baby.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Root Beer During Pregnancy?
Yes, it’s okay for pregnant women to drink root beer in moderation. Since caffeine is a stimulant, large amounts of it can cause problems for pregnant women.
Research has shown that consuming more than 300mg of caffeine a day may increase the risk of miscarriage or having a baby with low birth weight.
Pregnant women should also avoid alcohol because it is toxic to the developing fetus. If you are pregnant, make sure that you are drinking root beer and not birch beer or sarsaparilla – these drinks contain alcohol.
To help keep your caffeine intake down while pregnant, limit yourself to just one can (or other serving sizes) of soda a day.
A pregnant woman should remember that root beer isn’t the only drink with caffeine in it! Coffee, tea and chocolate all have varying amounts of this stimulant as well – some much higher than soda!
All drinks containing high fructose corn syrup should be avoided during pregnancy as they may increase insulin resistance and contribute to obesity when consumed regularly for long periods of time.
This article was written by Sandra Baker – full time writer and the mother of four amazing kids (including twins!)
She’s also a breastfeeding counselor and has spent years helping new parents learn how to care for their children. When she’s not writing or caring for her children, Sandra likes to spend time reading and taking walks with her husband.
