Drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding is not recommended, but is considered safe in small or accidental doses. Nursing mothers should avoid consuming large amounts of kombucha because it contains both caffeine and alcohol. These compounds transfer through breastmilk and can have adverse health effects for your baby. Despite the fact that kombucha has myriad health benefits in adults, the risks of drinking kombucha while breastfeeding nevertheless outweigh the benefits.
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Kombucha has a 0.5% alcohol content and 15mg of caffeine per serving. These doses are well within the recommended daily guidelines for nursing mothers, so accidental ingestion of small amounts of kombucha is no cause for panic. The main drawback of drinking a carbonated drink like Kombucha is the potential for gas and trapped wind. However, kombucha is a raw, unpasteurized drink, and may contain potentially harmful bacteria which can also pass through breastmilk. For these reasons, lactating mothers are best advised to avoid kombucha altogether, and to pump-and-dump for 2-4 hours following any ingestion of kombucha. Below, we carefully weigh the health benefits of kombucha against its potential to harm the health of breastfed babies.
Is it ok that I accidentally drank Kombucha while breastfeeding?
Yes, it is okay if you accidentally drank Kombucha. Kombucha’s caffeine content is relatively low at about 15 mg per serving and won’t harm your baby. Additionally, the alcohol content in Kombucha is .5% per serving. Technically, this classifies Kombucha as non-alcoholic. Your baby will more than likely be fine. However, if you want to err on the side of caution, pump-and-dump for 2-4 hours after drinking Kombucha.
What exactly is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a delicious blend of tea that goes through a specific fermentation process. This ancient beverage dates back as long as 220 BC and remains popular today. It’s a mixture of tea (black, green, or white), sugar, yeast, and bacteria.
Bacteria and yeast are grown together. Then, this is added to sugar and tea. Finally, the beverage has plenty of time to ferment. Fermentation is a natural process that results from the absence of oxygen. Kombucha tea is allowed to ferment for 7-10 days. However, this is the same process that creates alcohol. Breastfeeding mothers worry about drinking Kombucha while pregnancy due to this potential alcohol content.
A 2019 study published in the Annals of Epidemiology studied the effects of drinking Kombucha on human health. Results pointed to evidence that consuming Kombucha had a positive impact on health and helps fight various diseases.
Is Kombucha safe while breastfeeding?
Kombucha tea is not considered medically safe while breastfeeding. However, accidentally drinking Kombucha tea while breastfeeding your child is unlikely to cause any problems with your baby. The caffeine content is only 15 mg per serving, within the recommended amount of under 300 mg daily.
However, Kombucha does have alcohol in it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers abstain from all alcohol while breastfeeding, making this an unsafe choice for breastfeeding mothers. Remember that no one regulates the alcohol content in Kombucha. Most of the time, Kombucha has a shallow alcohol content. However, because it’s not regulated, some Kombucha teas have significantly higher alcohol content. The variable alcohol content is what makes Kombucha unsafe while breastfeeding. Always read the label before drinking Kombucha when breastfeeding.
How long does Kombucha stay in your system?
Kombucha shows up on a blood or urine test for up to five days after consumption. However, when alcohol enters your breastmilk, it leaves at the same rate as the alcohol content leaves your blood. For every Kombucha you drink, waiting 2-4 hours before breastfeeding is recommended. We recommend that a serving be based on eight ounces of Kombucha to be on the safe side. Kombucha may be sold in servings as large as 16 ounces, so you should consider these two servings to ensure no alcohol in your breastmilk. Remember that it’s only recommended that a person drink up to twelve ounces of Kombucha daily.
How much alcohol is in Kombucha?
Kombucha typically has a shallow alcohol content of 0.5%. This is lower than wine, spirits, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. At 0.5% ABV, Kombucha is often considered a non-alcoholic drink. However, the alcohol content in Kombucha may vary depending on where you get it and what brand it is. Companies that make commercially sold Kombucha typically list the alcohol content on the container, so remember to read the label. The alcohol content in homemade Kombucha varies depending on how long it ferments.
Is drinking non-alcoholic Kombucha while breastfeeding safe?
Yes, drinking non-alcoholic Kombucha is safe while breastfeeding. Additionally, the caffeine content in regular and non-alcoholic Kombucha is so low that 1-2 servings a day are fine. Most Kombucha drinks only contain 15 mg of caffeine per serving, which makes non-alcoholic Kombucha while breastfeeding a great idea.
Does Kombucha have caffeine?
Yes, Kombucha has about 15 mg per serving. Kombucha is made of tea, which naturally has caffeine in it. Black tea has a higher caffeine content than other teas, but it’s still within the limit recommended for breastfeeding women. Breastfeeding women should consume a maximum of 300 mg daily.
How much caffeine is passed through breast milk
Only 1% of the caffeine you drink will pass through breast milk to your baby. However, a baby’s body metabolizes caffeine at a slower rate. A 1984 study by Berlin, Denson, Daniel & Ward revealed that it takes a newborn baby several days to metabolize the caffeine you consume. For babies aged between 3-5 months, caffeine takes a little over a day to metabolize, and still half a day for infants aged six months or older.
How much caffeine is safe during breastfeeding?
Consuming up to 300 mg of caffeine daily while breastfeeding is considered safe. Therefore, drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding is safe, as the caffeine levels are well within the recommended range. However, watching for signs of caffeine sensitivity in your little one is essential because some babies are more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Below are six key symptoms of caffeine sensitivity in infants:
- Fussiness or an irritable baby
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Problems staying asleep
- Trembling
- Wide-eyed
- Hyper
These are all symptoms that your breastfed baby has difficulty dealing with the caffeine in your breast milk. If you notice these signs, decrease your caffeine intake, even if it’s within the recommended amount.
Does Health-Ade Kombucha have caffeine?
Yes, Health-Ade Kombucha does contain caffeine. Health-Ade Kombucha has an average of 8-15 mg of caffeine per serving. However, Health-Ade sells Kombucha in 16-ounce servings, so this average is based on how much caffeine is in 16 ounces of Health-Ade Kombucha.
Does drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding cause gas?
Drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding may cause gas in nursing moms. However, it’s unlikely to cause gas in breastfed babies. The carbonation of Kombucha is one of the reasons that adults may feel gas, but this won’t pass through your breastmilk to cause gas in your baby.
Can you drink Kombucha while breastfeeding a 2-year-old?
It’s not recommended that moms drink Kombucha while breastfeeding a 2-year-old. The caffeine in Kombucha is within the recommended amount and should not be a problem for a 2-year-old. However, the level of alcohol in Kombucha poses a point for debate. The safest amount of alcohol while breastfeeding is none.
Are there benefits of drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding?
Yes, there are benefits to drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding. Kombucha is full of antioxidants and probiotics to boost your immune system. Once the alcohol is out of your system, your baby will still enjoy a boost in their immune system. We don’t recommend drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding because of the alcohol content, but we can’t deny that there are a few benefits.
Is flat Kombucha still good for you?
Yes, flat Kombucha offers the same benefits that carbonated Kombucha does. The only difference is that it is not carbonated. This makes it ideal for anyone that gets gassy after drinking carbonated beverages.
Is it safe to drink raw Kombucha while breastfeeding?
No, it is not considered safe to drink raw Kombucha while breastfeeding. Drinking raw Kombucha while breastfeeding is not recommended. Most Kombucha undergoes pasteurization. Pasteurization involves heating and rapidly cooling the Kombucha to kill harmful bacteria. While this does kill off some of the bacteria that are good for you, it’s considered healthier because there is less of a risk that you’ll get sick from drinking harmful bacteria. Good and bad bacteria both pass through into breast milk, which is unsafe for your baby.
Can I drink pasteurized Kombucha during breastfeeding?
Yes, you can drink pasteurized Kombucha while breastfeeding. Pasteurized Kombucha does not contain the same harmful bacteria that raw Kombucha does. While pasteurization also means a reduction in the levels of healthy bacteria, meaning you won’t get the same health benefits or high levels of probiotics. Most companies add probiotics after pasteurization, but this is not the same level found in Kombucha naturally.
However, because of the alcohol content found in Kombucha, it’s important to wait 2-4 hours per drink before feeding your baby to ensure no alcohol in your breast milk.
Is store-bought Kombucha safe to drink while breastfeeding?
Yes, store-bought Kombucha is as safe as other Kombucha to drink while breastfeeding. Kombucha has a low caffeine content that most babies can tolerate. However, always read the label to determine the alcohol content before drinking Kombucha. The alcohol content is so low that this fermented tea is often considered non-alcoholic, so it won’t be in the aisle with other alcoholic drinks.
Can you drink Kevita Kombucha while breastfeeding?
Yes, Kevita Kombucha is safe to drink while breastfeeding as long as you make sure that there is no alcohol in your breast milk. Kevita Kombucha has an alcohol content of .5%. This is low enough to be certified as alcohol-free, but breastfeeding moms must remember that there is still a tiny amount of alcohol in Kombucha that passes through into breast milk.
Can you drink Synergy Kombucha while breastfeeding?
Yes, you can drink Synergy Kombucha while breastfeeding. However, when drinking Synergy Kombucha while breastfeeding, it’s important to remember there is alcohol in it. The level of alcohol in Synergy Kombucha is slightly higher than other brands of Kombucha at 1%. Individuals under 21 cannot buy it because of the higher alcohol content.
Does Kombucha have safe probiotics for breastfeeding?
Yes, Kombucha is packed with safe probiotics for breastfeeding women. The natural and synthetic versions of probiotics used in Kombucha make it excellent for gut health for new moms. Most doctors recommend against drinking Kombucha while breastfeeding because of the alcohol and caffeine content, not because of the probiotics it contains.
What is the best probiotic for nursing moms?
Pink Stork Total Lactation Probiotic is the best probiotic for nursing moms. Pink Stork Total Lactation Probiotic is one of the few drinks specifically designed to cater to nursing moms. Containing five different strains of probiotics, Pink Stork Total Lactaion works to support gut health, promote healthy skin, and help balance your mood.
Is there Lactobacillus in Kombucha?
Yes, according to the 2022 study on Microbial and Chemical Profiles of Commercial Kombucha Products, there is lactobacillus in Kombucha. Lactobacillus is a strain of bacteria offering several benefits to both mothers and babies, including boosting the immune system and promoting gut health.
Is it safe to add turmeric to Kombucha while breastfeeding?
Yes, it is safe to add turmeric to Kombucha while breastfeeding. However, Kombucha is not recommended for breastfeeding women due to the alcohol content in it. Turmeric is considered safe for breastfeeding mothers to consume. A 2022 report published by the National Library of Medicine looking at the impact of turmeric on lactation states that it does not harm breastfeeding babies.
Is ginger Kombucha safe for nursing?
Yes, ginger is generally considered safe for breastfeeding babies. A 2022 report published by the National Library of Medicine looking at the impact of ginger on lactation confirms the safety of the spice for breastfeeding mothers and babies. However, too much ginger can increase your milk supply. Decrease your ginger intake if you discover you’re producing too much milk. As with everything, use moderation when consuming ginger while breastfeeding. Due to the alcohol content of Kombucha drinks, we don’t recommend drinking ginger Kombucha while breastfeeding.
Are Kombucha detoxes safe while breastfeeding?
No, Kombucha detoxes are not safe while breastfeeding. Kombucha has alcohol in it, which is not safe for your baby. No detoxes are not safe for your baby while breastfeeding. While they can make you feel better, they release toxins, resulting in many toxins circulating throughout your body. Toxins then make their way into your breast milk. Wait until you’re done breastfeeding to start detoxing again.
Are fermented drinks generally safe while breastfeeding?
No, fermented drinks are generally considered unsafe while breastfeeding. The process of fermentation turns sugars and yeast into alcohol, so most fermented beverages have low alcohol content. While this is not usually high enough for Kombucha to be classed as an alcoholic beverage, the safest amount of alcohol while breastfeeding is none. So many doctors recommend avoiding fermented drinks entirely.
What are some healthy alternatives to Kombucha for breastfeeding mothers?
Over-the-counter probiotics such as Pink Stork Total Lactation probiotic are a great healthy Kombucha alternative for breastfeeding mothers. While we don’t recommend that breastfeeding mothers drink Kombucha while breastfeeding, Additionally, black and green teas are packed with antioxidants to boost your immune system while breastfeeding. You can safely drink 2-3 cups of herbal tea daily while nursing.