Coffee is a stimulant that most of us cannot live without, let alone in the morning. But while the caffeine it contains wakes us up and helps us survive, its effect on a future baby is sometimes controversial. Is it ok to drink coffee during pregnancy or is it better to do without? We found the answer for you.
For most people, coffee is an integral part of the morning routine and the waking process. This is due to the fact that its components have a stimulating effect on the body. Among other things, it gives us energy and aids digestion. However, the coffee and caffeine it contains are often questioned when it comes to how much is allowed during pregnancy and when it becomes too much for the unborn child.
Caffeine withdrawal
For many pregnant women, it is obvious to avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks. However, anyone who has ever had or wanted to give up coffee is aware that weaning from caffeine has side effects. Without the daily dose, many coffee drinkers suffer from headache, ofexhaustion, of constipation, of weight loss or gain, ofirritability, of tremors and much more in the first few days. Caffeine acts like a kind of drug on the body.
Sometimes coffee loathing happens early in pregnancy (and can even be the first symptom of pregnancy). In this case, no worries about weaning and no panic: the taste for coffee will return after the baby is born.
So should pregnant women go without coffee or is it enough to reduce the daily amount of caffeine?
Do not panic ! We have good news for all coffee lovers: it's not banned during pregnancy.
However: its amateurs should reduce their consumption significantly. The caffeine absorbed by the expectant mother is then found in the baby's blood. Unlike us adults, the embryo lacks enzymes to break down caffeine. The coffee will stimulate the nervous system of the mother, but also of the fetus.
The risks of caffeine in pregnant women
The effect of caffeine on an unborn baby is still widely disputed by science. For example, studies have shown an increase in the number of miscarriages, a decrease in body weight at birth, or problems sleeping in children, if the mother-to-be ingested too much coffee during her pregnancy. There would also be an increased risk of premature births.
How much coffee during pregnancy?
More recent studies give the green light. "A little coffee during pregnancy is good. Moderate caffeine consumption does not harm the baby", say scientists from Ina Santos from the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore prescribes (future) mothers a maximum of 300 milligrams of caffeine per day. -to say one to two cups of coffee, three cups of black tea or a liter of Coca-Cola (even if we ABSOLUTELY NOT recommend that you drink a liter of soda per day…).
Coffee to moderate only during pregnancy?
Coffee is not just a problem during pregnancy. Breastfeeding mothers should also moderate their coffee consumption and preferably do not drink more than one or two cups a day. Babies process caffeine more slowly and respond to it, for example, with trouble sleeping or acid reflux, especially premature babies.
Babies respond to coffee the same way adults do. Except hyperactivity and wide eyes in a little one can be scary.
It is best for nursing moms to sip their coffee right after breastfeeding. By the time the next breastfeeding session begins, some of the caffeine will have already been broken down.
But rest assured, the rules for drinking coffee while breastfeeding are more flexible than those for pregnancy. This is because caffeine does not enter breast milk the same way it does through the placenta.
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10 misconceptions about weight gain during pregnancy
Foods to absolutely avoid when you are pregnant
While coffee in moderation goes with pregnancy, pregnant women should avoid certain foods and mixtures. These include:
– The alcohol
– Raw milk cheese (but you can still eat raclette or tartiflette!)
– Raw meat such as ground pork or tartare
– Uncooked cold meats (in case you are not immune to toxoplasmosis) such as sausage (yes …), raw ham and other pâtés
– Raw fish like smoked salmon or sushi (we're really sorry …)
– Soft ice cream
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Can we eat foie gras when we are pregnant?
These various dishes are strongly discouraged and can be harmful to baby's health. When you have questions about a food, it is better to inquire!