Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate, many sodas, and some medications. Caffeine crosses the placenta and reaches the baby, and a small amount also gets into breastmilk. Since the baby’s body is still developing, it is not capable of fully metabolizing caffeine. After decades of studies with controversial results, there is no agreement on how much caffeine is safe during pregnancy. The March of Dimes advises women to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200mg per day, which is about one 12-oz. cup of coffee. Also breastfeeding women should limit their coffee intake to less than two to three cups of 12-oz. coffee a day.
Risk of Miscarriage
The results of studies on caffeine consumption and miscarriage have been controversial and conflicting. For example, one study by researchers from the Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, in January 2008, found that women who consumed 200mg or more of caffeine daily were twice as likely to have a miscarriage as women who consumed no caffeine. At the same time, another study by researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, showed no increased risk among women who had between 200mg and 350mg of caffeine daily. Studies from 1999 and 2000 found that large amounts of caffeine, more than 500mg a day--more than 3 large cups of coffee--are likely to cause miscarriage.
Low Birth Weight and Risk of Stillbirth
Caffeine causes constriction of blood vessels and may reduce blood flow to the placenta. Since it can reach the baby, caffeine might directly affect the baby's developing cells. Some studies suggest that high levels of caffeine consumption may slightly reduce infant's birth weight. One Danish study from 2003 suggested that women who drank four or more cups of coffee a day might be at increased risk of having a stillborn infant. With eight or more cups a day the risk of stillbirth increased; it was 3 times higher than in women who drank no coffee.
Irritability and Difficulty Sleeping
Caffeine increases blood pressure and heart rate, not only from the mother but also from the infant. It can disturb their normal sleep pattern and keep them both awake. According to March of Dimes, infants whose mothers consumed more than 500mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy had faster heart rates and breathing rates and spent more time awake in the first few days after birth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers it safe for a woman to consume low amounts of coffee while breastfeeding. However, they recommend breastfeeding women to limit their daily consumption to less than two to three cups of coffee, because both mothers and infants may become irritable and have difficulty sleeping.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: What's the Real Scoop on Caffeine During Pregnancy
- March of Dimes: Caffeine in Pregnancy
- “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology”; Maternal Caffeine Consumption during Pregnancy and the Risk of Miscarriage: A Prospective Cohort Study; Weng X, Odouli R, Li DK; March 2008
- “Epidemiology”; Caffeine and Miscarriage Risk; Savitz DA, Chan RL, Herring AH, Howards PP, Hartmann KE; January 2008
- “New England Journal of Medicine”; Caffeine Intake and the Risk of First-Trimester Spontaneous Abortion, Cnattingius S, Signorello LB, Annerén G, Clausson B, Ekbom A, Ljunger E, Blot WJ, McLaughlin JK, Petersson G, Rane A, Granath F.; December 2000
Member Comments