Coffee during Pregnancy: What you Need to Know

A steaming cup of coffee at the breakfast table or a latte macchiato on the way to work is part of the mandatory morning program for many people to start the day. At the beginning of a pregnancy, however, expectant mothers are often unsure whether they have to do without the popular wake-up drink. With our following tips and advice, we shed light on how coffee drinkers should behave during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Caffeine: harmless in small amounts

Unlike alcohol, the consumption of which is completely discouraged during pregnancy, there are no clear guidelines regarding coffee consumption for pregnant women. It is known that the caffeine contained in coffee passes through the placenta and thus enters the circulation of the unborn child. But whether a high dose could have a harmful effect has not yet been fully researched.

According to current scientific knowledge, there is no increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth in expectant mothers who drink coffee during pregnancy. However, a Norwegian study found evidence that larger amounts of caffeine could lead to decreased birth weight. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day. This corresponds to a maximum of two cups of coffee. Note, however, that caffeine is already present in cocoa, chocolate, green and black tea, and some soft drinks.

Limit coffee consumption even when breastfeeding.

Because caffeine is absorbed by infants through breast milk, nursing mothers should also enjoy coffee only in moderation. The German Nutrition Society (DGE), like the WHO, recommends a limit of 300 milligrams of caffeine per day for breastfeeding. Higher doses may cause restlessness, abdominal pain and sleep disturbances in the child. It is also best to enjoy your coffee immediately after breastfeeding, so that as much caffeine as possible is broken down by the body before you next breastfeed your child.

Try out tasty alternatives

Even if you don’t have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s worth trying out alternatives to the stimulating hot beverage. We’ve put together some tasty ideas for how you can get through the day without coffee:

  • Smoothies made from seasonal fruit and milk or yogurt provide energy and vitamins in the morning. However, be sure to use only pasteurized milk. Because raw milk can contain bacteria that can be dangerous for pregnant women.
  • Rooibos tea is caffeine-free and contains many valuable ingredients such as trace elements and flavenoids. In addition, it is said to have a blood pressure-lowering and antispasmodic effect.
  • A glass of warm water with a dash of lemon juice right after getting up gets the circulation going and can help against morning sickness.
  • As an alternative to caffeinated coffee can also be a soluble substitute coffee made from barley, malt and rye. It contains no caffeine and is more digestible than coffee.

Coffee variants such as cappuccino and latte macchiato, on the other hand, are not suitable alternatives to classic coffee, because they contain caffeinated espresso and should therefore also be enjoyed only in moderation. Energy drinks are also not a recommended alternative to coffee for pregnant women.