An interesting thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I was at a routine chiropractic check up for our little bunny (there is nothing wrong with her and we are keeping it that way by having regular spinal checks to ensure she grows and develops well) and I was explaining how she was not having long restful sleeps and how she was often upset after feeds. I was wondering what it was and what i could do to help her as it was very distressing for both of us.

He asked me if I was eating any of the commonly known things that upset babies like cauliflower and onion, coffee/tea or peas. All no’s. And then he said what about chocolate? I looked down and said ‘a little’ thinking the problem would lie with the sugar…. This was when he explained something interesting. The caffeine in chocolate is processed without much to do in an adult body within 6 hours maximum. In an infant who receives caffeine via breastmilk, caffeine is not processed for up to 80 hours! This means it can upset their tummy, prevent them from sleeping, make them irritable, and over tired and also give them headaches as it leaves their bodies….. just like it does to an adult.

i was horrified and instatly stopped. Within three days she was a different baby. So relaxed at feeding time and sleeping much better. It was such a relief to find the cause and be able to do something.

So, I advise not eating chocolate - no matter how tired you are, which is why I was doing it :) -  while breastfeeding your little ones. A devastating blow, if, like me you just love the stuff, but worth the sacrifice when you see how calm and settled they can be.