Can energy drinks affect an unborn baby?
Doctors and midwives do not recommend energy drinks to anyone during pregnancy. Energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine and many other ingredients that could be unsafe for pregnant people. Let’s discuss what drinks and foods contain caffeine and why it’s important to watch how much you have during pregnancy. Researchers have not reported an association between low (under 200 mg) levels of caffeine and an increased chance of miscarriage. Some studies suggest that the chance of miscarriage might be increased when people consume moderate (200-300 mg) or high (more than 300 mg) levels of caffeine.They found that women who drink even a moderate amount of coffee and soda a day during early pregnancy have a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, but that caffeine consumption prior to conception does not appear to elevate risk.Around 100,000 children consume at least one high-caffeine energy drink every day. There is growing evidence linking these drinks to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes.Some energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine. For example, a 24-ounce energy drink may have up to 500 milligrams of caffeine. Energy drinks may have a lot of sugar, too, and they may contain ingredients that may be harmful to your baby during pregnancy.
What happens to the baby if you drink caffeine while pregnant?
A) In humans, caffeine intake during pregnancy may give rise to pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage [4,17], fetal growth restriction [5,12], and low birth weight [21–24], which would also increase the risk of overweight and impaired cognitive development in childhood [25–27]. Overall, the authors concluded that there was little evidence to recommend against consuming moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnancy. Other studies reported no adverse effects on child behaviour with the consumption of moderate amounts (less than 300 mg/d) of caffeine during pregnancy.Babies of pregnant women who consume over 200 mg of caffeine per day are at an increased risk of fetal growth restriction which could result in low birth weight and/or miscarriage.Caffeine is rapidly absorbed and crosses the placenta freely. After ingestion of 200 mg caffeine, intervillous blood flow in the placenta was found to be reduced by 25%.Yes—but with caution. A pregnant woman can consume up to one 20 oz can of Red Bull per day, as long as her total caffeine intake from all sources stays under 200 mg. However, keep in mind: Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some medications.
What if I drank energy drinks before I knew I was pregnant?
Use of energy drinks before pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension. It would appear that drinking no more than 1. So, no evidence of harm from low levels of intake in pregnancy, but we can’t completely exclude the possibility.Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birthweight. It can also affect your baby after they’re born. Drinking during pregnancy can cause your baby to develop a serious life-long condition called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Can energy drinks affect my baby’s development?
Not only can they contain high amounts of caffeine that may be unsafe for baby, they’re also often loaded with processed sugar and may include herbal ingredients that aren’t pregnancy-safe. That doesn’t mean all energy drinks are off-limits—but you should choose your beverage wisely if you’re expecting. In addition to this, some types contain artificial sweeteners which are not recommended for babies. The carbonic acid, or fizzy, in these drinks can cause tummy upset. Energy drinks are not suitable for babies as they contain stimulants which are not safe for babies.
How do I know if caffeine is affecting my baby?
Fussiness, jitteriness and sleeping problems have been found in babies whose mothers consumed high levels of caffeine, more than 5 cups of coffee each day. There is no agreed upon safe level of caffeine because every baby’s tolerance is different. Caffeine appears in breastmilk with a peak usually occurring about 1 hour after a dose.The half-life of caffeine is about 97. In comparison, the half-life of caffeine in an adult is 4. Hale, Medications and Mother’s Milk 2017).Caffeine gets into breast milk in small amounts. It has been suggested to limit daily consumption to 300 mg/day or less while breastfeeding. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (agitation, irritability, trouble with sleeping, rapid heart rate or tremor), contact the child’s healthcare provider.
What happens if you accidentally went over 200mg of caffeine while pregnant?
Babies of pregnant women who consume over 200 mg of caffeine per day are at an increased risk of fetal growth restriction which could result in low birth weight and/or miscarriage. An increasing dose of daily caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, compared with no caffeine intake, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1. HR of 2.During pregnancy, you may be especially sensitive to caffeine because it may take you longer to clear it from your body than if you weren’t pregnant. It may also make you feel nauseous or lightheaded.Yes—but with caution. A pregnant woman can consume up to one 20 oz can of Red Bull per day, as long as her total caffeine intake from all sources stays under 200 mg.Research suggests that moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 milligrams per day) does not cause miscarriage or preterm birth. That’s the amount in one 12-ounce cup of coffee.