Caffeine

olivemomma

All right ladies, What is everyone doing in regards to caffeine. I went pretty much cold turkey on it with DD1 but man it's a lot harder when chasing a toddler around. Are you giving it up, modifying, or just indulging?? For those maybe making a switch what are you changing to? I'm not a tea drinker and want to avoid soda but would love other suggestions!

imrachellea

I tried cold turkey with my DD and got NASTY headaches, so I was taking Tylenol every 4 hours. My doctors said they would rather I have a cup of coffee then take so much Tylenol, so I went back to my regular (big) cup a day. This time, I planned to just continue with my cup, then I read that caffeine CAN affect SOME babies (particularly during first trimester) yet NOT affect other babies. So I figured I'd try and stop drinking coffee again and see how it goes. I'm pleased to say I've had no headaches this time around! So I will continue not drinking coffee (or choosing decaf like I did this morning after seeing an ad for iced coffee from Dunkin last night!) until second trimester. Even then, it will still remain at just one cup a day. Pre-pregnancy I would have a second cup in the evenings once a week or so.

PeggyOlsonFTW

I'm drinking half a cup to a cup a day. Down a bit from pre-pregnancy. I stopped altogether with DS, but couldn't manage without it this time around.

TKtravels

I'm a recovering Coke Zero addict.  Up until about two months ago, I was drinking 1-2 cans a day.. and then my daughter started pointing out sodas and saying "mama soda."  I don't want her associating me with soda or thinking it's normal to drink sodas every day, so I more or less quit. 

I'll have one if I'm really feeling like I need it, but I no longer buy any to keep at home.  I really have to want it to make the effort to go get it, and that helps me.  I've also found that drinking sparkling water helps me too.  

I'll continue to consume caffeine as I have been the last two months.. only as needed/strongly desired.  I see no problem with the occasional soda or cup of coffee.  

chanelwest

They have the half-caf or I'm going to try the decaf and see how I manage. Great thinking on waiting for second tri. I too can't imagine no coffee with #2 or more, I'm older and working more than I ever have. Yikes, so much props to you women with 2 or more children or toddlers going at this. Love love love having this forum to connect to other great mamas.

MrsCayEye

I have a cup of coffee in the morning, I did the same with DS.

GridIronGrrl34

I haven't cut it out entirely because I also had the headaches with my last. I've been doing one cup from my Keurig when I go to work (4 days a week) and days like today where I'm home (and would normally brew a pot and have 2-3 cups at least!) I am doing decaf. I had cut out soda 2 months ago because I started working out, so I haven't really missed that.

ShamrockGirl518

I’ve cut down on the amount of coffee I drink since finding out I was pregnant. For now I only drink one 8oz cup in the morning. I used to drink a 20oz in the morning plus an afternoon espresso. I haven’t had any headaches or anything from cutting down.

emiliothetall

I'm still sticking with a cup of coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon.

With my first, by 8 weeks coffee revolted me, so I'll be indulging as long as I can

hazel14rich

I am addicted to Dr. Pepper (I know it's terrible. I used to drink it all the time but now that I'm pregnant I limit myself to one glass a day. And the rest of the time I drink only water, while battling some horrible headaches!

[Deleted User]

I don't do coffee or soda... but I love Spark (AdvoCare) it has 120mg/serving, so I'm going to stick to that as needed.

mumidi

Last time I cut it out for a while but as others have said I felt crappy and had headaches.  My goal is to drink less coffee.  Last time I would often do half regular / half decaf and that was good.

AliSummer

I don't drink coffee, but I do drink about 2-3 cups of tea a day (one green and one or two black). I don't plan on cutting back. 

sarahufl

AliSummer said:

I don't drink coffee, but I do drink about 2-3 cups of tea a day (one green and one or two black). I don't plan on cutting back. 

Some tea has a lot more caffeine than coffee.

AliSummer

sarahufl said:

AliSummer said:

I don't drink coffee, but I do drink about 2-3 cups of tea a day (one green and one or two black). I don't plan on cutting back. 

Some tea has a lot more caffeine than coffee.

The kind I drink has about 30mgs per cup for the green and 50mgs for the black. 

pinottoparenthood

emiliothetall said:

I'm still sticking with a cup of coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon.

With my first, by 8 weeks coffee revolted me, so I'll be indulging as long as I can

This! My doc said with my first that I could have 1-2 cups a day but i had a horrible aversion. The smell made me feel nauseated and I didn't drink any hot coffee throughout my whole pregnancy. Around second tri. I did start getting cravings for frappuccnos so I had those sometimes :-)

I will stick to one cup of coffee a day unless my body tells me otherwise.

NMort

I live on caffeine and am addicted to Diet Coke. I already have three kids (ages 6, 4 & 2) and this is my fifth pregnancy (yes, I had a miscarriage). I stay home with my kids during the day, while working evenings and weekends in retail. I usually get home from work between 11pm-12am, only to be up with the kids around 6am. Like I said, I live on caffeine. I am trying my hardest to kick the habit, but for now I am dealing with cutting back. I will have one cup of coffee in the morning, and one Diet Coke at some point throughout the day. I had the same caffeine habit with my third child and she turned out okay! Any way, good luck! The struggle is real!!

ChicVicky

Tried to give it up but got terrible headaches! So instead I have loaded up on the half-caff K-Cups, just one per morning. Drank one every morning during my first pregnancy and he turned out just fine... maybe a little hyper now that I think about it.. jk! Doctor said totally OK to have a cup per day. To be honest it's starting to make me nauseous so we'll see how much longer I get to enjoy!

sarahufl

I do 1 cup of real coffee, the rest decaf, at work. At home, I drink half-caff. But I still limit myself. It's tough, because I love iced coffee, but it is really hard to find decaf.

loveymay

Hi! My name is Loveymay and Im a Monster addict.  *waves hello*

 I dont like coffee and the only soda I like is Dr. Pepper, but I dont drink it very often because of all the calories. I also dont like hot tea, and iced sweet tea I make doesnt give me any energy since its so diluted with water (giant pitcher). The struggle is REAL! Ive just been so exhausted. I thought about just drinking half a can, but I want to ask my dr first. Im not sure if she is a "no caffeine at all" or "caffeine in moderation" kind of Dr, so Im nervous about even asking. The ones I drink have only 140 mg per can, but I am unsure about the other ingredients like taurine and guarana. I havent found anything that says those are harmful, but Im not drinking any just to be on the safe side. In the meantime I just chug cold water like there's no tomorrow and take a nap when I get home.

RNJH2010

I don't drink coffee but I do drink soda once in a while. I won't cut back, didn't with my first 2 either, it's not like I'm chugging a 2 liter every day. I'm a pretty lax pregnant lady and mom.

chantzies

We are coffee roasters... We roast an awesome decaf (Swiss water process). I'd already cut down to 1.5 cups s day and am not cutting down any more.

akb1125

I'll probably stick to 1-2 caffeinated drinks a day. I have a 17 month old running around so some days I'll definitely need a boost! Haha

zoedog37

I have one cup of coffee to start my day than switch to a non decaf tea like a green tea. I also drink alot of Pepsi and I'm switching to a decaf pepsi and cutting back to one or two a day. Good Luck!

orangegoggles

I used to be a coffee addict....tried cutting down before I got pregnant. Now I either have half of a small cup or decaf. I find I'm not craving it as much. 

HappyToBe2012

I don't drink coffee, never have.  Trying to limit sodas but if I want a coke once in a while I will.  I drink iced tea like it's water, so I'm trying to cut back some.

Lilpenguin3

I am a caffeine addict. Sugar free monster, espresso, coke zero, diet coke....I went cold turkey awhile ago and had horrible headaches so I cut down to one cup of coffee a day. So far I decided to cut out all other sources and go with just one cup of coffee if I really need it. I think I have found that the more water I drink the less I want coffee. It is totally against everything I am because not being pregnant I barely drink any water at all and now I can't get enough. 

worldsokayestmom

I'm still drinking my daily cup of coffee and will continue to.

St0v3s

I'm not a big coffee person. If I order a drink it will more than likely be a Sprite so I'm not really worried drink wise. And when I get my coke and root beer cravings I'll just make sure to get a small.

k3brad

I'm still drinking my 2-3 cups. I always get a major aversion by the time real nausea hits so I am enjoying it while I can. I can already tell I'll be done with coffee in the next two weeks or so

attagirl1113

One cup of coffee a day for me, water the rest of the day 8-}

geminioftwo

I try not to have it, but i end up drinking a cup every other day or so...

yodiggity

The iced coffee I drink is about 90mg of caffeine and I only drink that about 2-3 times a week. It's the cherry coke that I'm struggling with. :-/ 

brittonlin

I decided to go cold turkey with this one. I'm only drinking water, vitamin water zero, and lemonade. It was really, really hard for the first week. I'm used to having at least 2 cups of coffee and a Diet Coke or two a day. I do think I'll allow myself a cup of half-caff every morning once I hit the second trimester. I drink coffee mostly for the warmth and comfort, and can't imagine not having it in the winter months.

CashN044

200 mg of caffeine per day is the recommended maximum throughout pregnancy, and I think this is pretty conservative compared to other sources that say 300mg. Black and green teas have much less caffeine per oz than coffee, so maybe you'll need to become a tea drinker! I also enjoy "half-caff" every now and then if I really need a kick. I have also read that if your body is already accustomed to caffeine it will probably be better absorped (and therefore affect baby less), than if you are new to caffeine (but who really is, right?).

danahorowitz

I'm sticking with my one cup of coffee in the morning and then water or milk for the rest of the day. With my first pregnancy, I had such strong cravings for milk - at one point I told DH we were going to have to get a cow and put it in the backyard

alexvause

I don't cut caffeine when pregnant. I only drink one coffee a day anyway.

olivemomma

Thanks ladies! Great input! I think I'm going to have my morning cup when I feel I need it and just see how it goes.

kas172

I've cut back to 1 cup of coffee in the morning (I'm a multiple cup of coffee person). So far is working for me, but fatigue hasn't kicked in too bad for me yet (I'm 4w5d). For those of us who are also soda lovers, try seltzer! 

Not a big tea drinker, but does anyone have any favorites they could recommend?

Julesby

I have half a cup of coffee in the morning to keep me regular (sorry if that's TMI) and half of another caffeinated drink in the afternoon to help me get through the rest of the workday and Crossfit. I have found this is the bare minimum for me. 

Considering that I weaned myself off of my ADD meds before TCC, I consider this a huge accomplishment. (If you aren't familiar with ADD meds, they are essentially large doses of caffeine.)

Lilpenguin3

Lilpenguin3 said:

I am a caffeine addict. Sugar free monster, espresso, coke zero, diet coke....I went cold turkey awhile ago and had horrible headaches so I cut down to one cup of coffee a day. So far I decided to cut out all other sources and go with just one cup of coffee if I really need it. I think I have found that the more water I drink the less I want coffee. It is totally against everything I am because not being pregnant I barely drink any water at all and now I can't get enough. 

I can now say I cut out caffiene. I haven't had any headaches and SO gave me a sip of his soda the other day and it tasted horrible. So it's only water and juice for this girl now.