theIndusParent Logo
theIndusParent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Fertility & Conception
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Post-delivery Care
    • Miscarriage
    • 9 Months
  • Baby
    • Development
    • Breastfeeding
    • Weaning
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Gear & Wear
    • Baby Names
    • Nine Months-0 to 1
  • Toddler
    • Development
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Life Skills
    • Trendy Wear
    • 9 Months Season 3: Toddler Years
  • Pre-teen
    • Development
    • Health
    • Education
    • Behaviour
    • Lifeskills
    • Fashion
  • Mums
    • Awesome Working Mums
    • Celeb Mums
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Sex
    • Labour Story
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Home Remedies
    • Chakra Healing
    • Experts' Corner
  • Family & Leisure
    • Relationships
    • For Dads
    • Essential Life Tips
    • Money
    • Recipes
    • Celebrations
    • Travel
    • Vastu
    • Astrology
    • Baby Photos
    • Video
    • Events & Workshops
    • Review
    • Contest
  • हिंदी
  • தமிழ்
  • বাংলা
  • Video

How much coffee during pregnancy can harm my baby?

4 min read
How much coffee during pregnancy can harm my baby?How much coffee during pregnancy can harm my baby?

Time to give up coffee now that you're pregnant? Read on

If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, one of the first advices you’re bound to receive is to “cut down caffeine”. Now if you’re someone who needs her morning cuppa, you’re probably wondering how you will pull through nine whole months without it.

How harmful is caffeine intake during pregnancy? “Caffeine is easily absorbed through the placenta and reaches the foetus in a concentration similar to that of maternal levels,” says Anandini Swaminathan, dietician and co-founder, Diet Unlimited, Bengaluru.

Some studies state that women who consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine during pregnancy increased the risk of abortion, stillbirth or low birth weight infants. However, most reports about caffeine consumption during pregnancy are conflicting.

But what has been observed with certainty is that the lesser the caffeine intake, the healthier the body feels.

Sources of caffeine

Coffee is not the only source of caffeine. It is also found in tea, cola, other soft drinks, energy drinks, cocoa and several medications. Here is a table provided by Swaminathan (adapted from: Marchofdimes) that cites the amount of caffeine present in common foods.
[table “2” not found /]

It is therefore, always advised to read labels of various medicines and beverages carefully.

Continue reading to know the various side effects of caffeine.

Side effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy

Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. High levels of it in the blood could cause a variety of side effects.

  • The stimulating effects of caffeine increases the heart rate, making one feel jittery
  • It causes sleeplessness, specially when caffeinated beverages are consumed in the late hours of the day
  • It may increase the frequency of urination, leading to dehydration
  • Too much of caffeine also increases nausea and vomiting during periods of morning sickness
  • It stimulates the secretion of acids present in the stomach and increases heartburn 

“So even though the mother’s body can handle these conditions, the baby’s metabolism is still under developed and will be affected,” adds Swaminathan, who has also authored ‘Confessions of a dietitian’.

caffeine intake during pregnancy

Limit your caffeine intake during pregnancy through various sources

How does one curb caffeine intake during pregnancy?

You don’t need to feel guilty about drinking coffee during pregnancy as long as you monitor your intake. “Less than 300 mg coffee per day is considered safe during pregnancy and lactation, which means 1-2 cups per day,” says Dr Tripat Chaudhary, director, obstetrics and gynaecology, Fortis La Femme, Delhi.

Partner Stories
How to get rid of your stretch marks?
How to get rid of your stretch marks?
How to protect your child from flu?
How to protect your child from flu?
109-year-old woman shares her secret to long life
109-year-old woman shares her secret to long life
Experts talk about foods to eat after childbirth
Experts talk about foods to eat after childbirth

But, the lesser caffeine consumed, the better for you. So, if you are planning for pregnancy or are pregnant and want to cut down on the amount of tea or coffee you consume, make a note of the following tips:

  • Try switching to instant coffee rather than brewed or filter coffee, as the brewed variety has more caffeine content.
  • Carry your own instant coffee sachets if the coffee machine at work offers only the brewed variety
  • Try adding more milk to your coffee 
  • When you brew your tea, brew them for a shorter while to have a lighter tea
  • Switch to having other varieties of tea as they will limit the intake of caffeine during your pregnancy. Do consult your doctor before trying out anything new.
  • Control the amount of chocolate you consume during the day. This includes chocolate in cookies, cakes and chocolate bars
  • Sleep whenever tired so that your body gets adequate rest. Then you need not depend on a stimulant to wake you up
  • Switch to fresh fruit juices if you’re used to having soft drinks
  • Stay motivated through withdrawal symptoms. There’s nothing better than having a healthy, stress-free pregnancy

Do you have any questions regarding intake of caffeine during pregnancy? Please share in the Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest from theIndusparent.com.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Preeti Athri

  • Home
  • /
  • First Trimester
  • /
  • How much coffee during pregnancy can harm my baby?
Share:
  • Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

    Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

  • Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

    Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

  • Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

    Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

app info
get app banner
  • Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

    Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

  • Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

    Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

  • Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

    Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Ages + Stages
    • Baby
    • Baby Concerns
    • Baby Development
    • Baby Formula Feeding
    • Baby health
    • Baby Milestones
    • Breastfeeding
  • Family Life
    • Family & Leisure
    • Essential Tips
    • Family Fun
    • Events
    • For Dads
    • For Mum and Dad
  • Health & Wellness
    • India
    • International
    • Lifestyle
    • Kid's Entertainment
    • Indoor
    • Learning Activities
  • Toddler
    • Toddler Behaviour
    • Toddler Development
    • Toddler Discipline
    • Toddler Education
    • Toddler Health
    • Toddler Life Skills
  • Gallery
    • News
    • Celebrity
    • Features
    • Bollywood
    • Video
    • Marriage
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it