The Basics
What is Chocolate?
Popular snack.
Brand names for Chocolate
N/A
How Chocolate is classified
Cocoa Plant, Cocoa Powder, Theobroma cacao, Foodborne Diseases
Chocolate During Pregnancy
Chocolate pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Chocolate while pregnant
N/A
Taking Chocolate While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Chocolate?
Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine and larger amounts of the closely related compound, theobromine. It also contains anandamide and two related compounds that stimulate cannabinoid receptors, tryptophan, and polyphenols.[1][2] All of these compounds are detectable in breastmilk in small amounts. Low intake of chocolate by a nursing mother is not problematic, but extreme amounts can affect the infant.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine and larger amounts of the closely related compound, theobromine. It also contains anandamide and two related compounds that stimulate cannabinoid receptors, tryptophan, and polyphenols.[1][2] All of these compounds are detectable in breastmilk in small amounts. Low intake of chocolate by a nursing mother is not problematic, but extreme amounts can affect the infant.
Possible effects of Chocolate on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Chocolate
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Manganaro R, Marseglia L, Mami C et al. What risk for newborn infant of chocoholic mother? Agro Food Industry Hi-Tech. 2007;18 (Suppl. S).
2. Khymenets O, Rabassa M, Rodriguez-Palmero M et al. Dietary epicatechin is available to breastfed infants through human breast milk in the form of host and microbial metabolites. J Agric Food Chem. 2016;64:5354-60. PMID: 27285570
3. Resman BH, Blumenthal P, Jusko WJ. Breast milk distribution of theobromine from chocolate. J Pediatr. 1977;91:477-80. PMID: 894424
4. Rivera-Calimlim L. Drugs in breast milk. Drug Ther (NY). 1977;7:59-63. PMID: 12336945
5. Cambria S, Manganaro R, Mami C et al. Hyperexcitability syndrome in a newborn infant of chocoholic mother. Am J Perinatol. 2006;23:421-2. PMID: 17009197
6. Uenishi T, Sugiura H, Tanaka T et al. Aggravation of atopic dermatitis in breast-fed infants by tree nut-related foods and fermented foods in breast milk. J Dermatol. 2011;38:140-5. PMID: 21269309
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
