How to cope without (much) caffeine when exhausted?

[greywoollyjumper]

I'm pregnant with DC2 and am majorly struggling with the caffeine restrictions this time around as between work and DC1's crazy early wake ups I'm averaging 5-6h sleep per night 😴 Is there anything we ARE allowed that helps with tiredness? I'm guessing dosing up on sugary sweets wouldn't be recommended either?! 🤔

No brilliant ideas but following for the same reason. I'm struggling too even with my DC sleeping through the night. To get through a work day, I'm having to have a cup of tea mid morning😴

I would really recommend reading the book 'Expecting Better' which takes a modern, scientific look at the guidelines in pregnancy. One of the things she looks at is the caffeine guidelines and it certainly convinced me that a cup of coffee or two is fine.

I had 1-2 cups of regular tea per day (or a few cans of coke in the hot weather) but otherwise I just used sugar! It may not be the healthiest thing but sometimes it was the only way to keep going. Cake and biscuits were my go to snacks

I agree with PP read expecting better and the chapter about caffeine. I read it and decided that I was happy having 1 coffee a day but 2 or 3 on bad days

Omg this is me, 36 weeks with DC2. I’m having two cups of tea and one coffee, and not counting chocolate. Yes it’s over the guidelines but it’s either that, I get from fired from work for falling asleep, or I have a breakdown.

Thanks @purplefig I read EB last time round and loved it - currently having 2-3 teas or coffees a day which is probably pushing me to / beyond (?) the recommended limits as it is but feel like I still need more! 🙈 Had a 5-6 cup a day habit before so this is tough... think I'll have to just up my sugar intake 😂

Didn't pay any attention to caffeine really. I don't drink much coffee (And never strong) and drink loafs of tea. Baby is a good weight.

I wouldn't worry. Unless you're drinking about 8 espressos a day...

My hardest thing was sugar. Can't do it. I take sugar or of my trea and i crave pepsi.

This isn't possible in lots of workplaces but if there is a first aid room or meeting room at work that you can use then coffee naps really work. You have a coffee, then immediately take a 10-15 minute power nap. When you wake up you get the double benefit of the nap and the caffeine, which will have hit your bloodstream.

Otherwise go to bed at the same time as your DC1, even if it means leaving the housework or not seeing your partner in the evenings. You just have to do whatever it takes to get through this bit.

I read expecting better and now I have two coffees in the morning and one about mid morning. Also have snacks etc to keep me going! Like PP said unless you’re drinking 8 espressos a day or those pint size Starbucks coffees I wouldn’t stress over having a couple of coffees

Lol meant to say one mid afternoon!

@EstebanTheMagnificent that would be amazing if I could nap at work but not possible unfortunately. Can't go to bed early either as I've always got a couple of hours work to do in the evening after putting DC1 to bed - it's the pay off for being able to leave early to do nursery pick up 😕

Thanks for all the messages - definitely put my mind at rest a bit that I'm not overdoing it! Can't believe I complained about how tiring pregnancy was last time, this is definitely way worse 😱

Haha @VapeVamp12 two coffees in the morning and one about mid morning sounds perfect! 🤪

Oh no, that’s a shame. Plan your coffees and your snacks strategically then if you have certain times when you tend to hit a lull. Make sure that you are taking iron and vitamin D. Berocca is safe in pregnancy and might help too.