Caffeine in pregnancy

[Tir3edAndTested]

What do you guys think about caffeine in pregnancy and risks of it causing withdrawal and 'colic-like' behaviour?
Pregnant in 2nd trimester with baby number 2, with my first I drank a bit of caffeine in Pregnancy, no tea or coffee or energy drinks but fairly regular cans of coke/ Pepsi (maybe 4/5 per week. I had an EXTREMELY colicky, unsettled newborn, she screamed constantly. I have recently read that a build up caffeine which can't be broken down by a fetus can then cause withdrawal in newborns....what do you think? I love my cans of pop but obviously if avoiding it meant my baby being less fussy I'd give it up instantly.
Please no sarky or mean responses.

There’s a chapter on caffiene in Emily Oster’s book Expecting Better, basically there’s limited scientific evidence for caffiene as it’s impossible to do proper clinical trials which isolate for caffeine. Honestly I’d be more concerned by the aspartame in soft drinks like that, rather than the caffeine, as 4/5 a weeks would be within the caffeine limit advised by NHS

There is lots of evidence about caffeine impacting foetal growth, misscarriage and preterm labour, but it causing colicky behaviour / withdraw is a new one to me. I primarily drink decaf coffee during pregnancy, with the occasional real coffee and a bit of chocolate here and there. We don't regularly drink soft drinks. Could you switch out the pepsi/cola with fizzy flavoured water?

Yeah pregnancy is annoying for that, minimal research and trials because understandably who wants to get tested on during pregnancy.

I don't drink diet drinks for this reason. I always have full sugar. I have an otherwise very good diet (I am an athlete) but I do enjoy a sugary can of pop every couple of days, as do most athletes after an endurance activity.

Yeah. Although even that risk is very minimal (I'm a specialist nicu nurse). Some of these mothers come in having had multiple energy drinks a day all throughout pregnancy and then deliver at term with a normal sized baby. Same with drugs, cigarettes, obesity, you name it. Some babies come out small/ withdrawing/ premature and others are absolutely unaffected, strangely.

I had one cup of coffee and one cup of tea a day throughout the second and third trimester. I would have done in the first trimester too if I wasn't so sick 🙈 I gave birth to a 9lb 7oz baby and never had any issues with colic or reflux.

On the other hand, my SIL doesn't drink tea or coffee, never has, and she had a 6lb 13oz baby and was tormented with reflux as a newborn.

Definitely just another tale I'd say x

I think it's most likely luck of the draw!
Reflux is truly savage for babies and the parents dealing with the baby!

I didn't cut down on caffeine at all during my first pregnancy (1 large coffee a day, occasional chocolate, tea etc). Baby was born big (95th percentile!) and no issues with colic/reflux. Taking the same approach in my current pregnancy. Personally I don't think there's much/any real evidence to link moderate caffeine consumption to problems but do whatever you're comfortable with. I generally take a very lax approach with this sort of stuff (eg still have the occasional very small glass of wine, soft cheese etc), but aware most people prefer to be more conservative these days.

There are loads of caffeine free options now, like Coke Zero.

Never heard of this one before. Is there any science to back this up any scientific papers you can share?

I switched to decaf Tea and decaf coffee no biggie was enjoyable. 1 tea a day and 1 coffee a week. But all decaf so I was fine with it.
I don't consume any fizzy drinks.

I drank coffee regularly my last pregnancy. Baby had no issue with withdrawals or colic (although I was breastfeeding not sure if that changes likelihood of withdrawals?) Also had a big baby he was almost 9pounds.
This pregnancy I gave up coffee the smell alone would make me feel sick. However a few weeks back one of the maternity doctors told me that anytime I am concerned about movements I should drink a 500ml bottle of coke (regular not diet) I don't think they would recommend that if there was the belief it would cause issues for the baby.

I drank my normal amount of caffeine throughout pregnancy, 20+ coffee and teas. Baby was 6lb7oz and the only reason he was crying constantly was the cmpa which stopped when I switched his formula at 3 weeks

No, I read it as a comment (maybe on MN or maybe facebook) which is why I'm hunting on here to see if anyone else has the evidence 🤣

Oh definitely minimal risks, but I'd be more concerned about these risks than colic. My first was a refluxy baby even without much caffeine in my diet, but she also had daily bouts of hiccups throughout pregnancy so I think it was just her. This baby I've felt 1 stint of hiccups, so hoping they're more settled.

Oooh is hiccups in pregnancy an indication of reflux? Never thought of that. My daughter used to have hiccups multiple times a day during pregnancy and post partum. I'm 23 weeks now and have already felt this one have hiccups 😩

I think its mostly anecdotal like a lot of these things. I'm remaining hopeful there is something to it!

I had HG throughout with my 1st and the only liquid I could drink and keep down was full sugar pepsi. 3 cans a day of it. Baby was born absolutely fine and no colic etc.

I'm the same this pregnancy too, accept this time it's aldi diet cola 🙈 still got severe HG and was told by consultant its better for me to drink coke than not keep anything down!

Never heard of this, but I've been drinking 1.5 cups of caffeinated coffee each morning throughout my pregnancy and am due on Saturday (I've also been eating increasing amounts of chocolate in my 3rd trimester). Will report back on whether my baby has colic once she's out!

NB she's also very hiccupy (at least one bout of hiccups per day) so that's an interesting thing to note. Fingers crossed she won't be too fussy...