Find out how much coffee a pregnant woman can drink per day

Throughout pregnancy it is recommended that the woman does not drink too much coffee, nor consume caffeine-rich foods on a daily basis, because too much caffeine can cause serious changes such as decreased growth of the baby and even prematurity because the baby can be born before the date Preview.

The maximum amount of caffeine that the pregnant woman can consume daily is only 200 mg, which corresponds to 3 cups of espresso or 4 cups of black tea, for example. Also, it is very important not to overdo the amount of coffee because caffeine can cause overdose. Know more in Coffee and Caffeine Drinks Can Cause Overdose.

But if you like coffee very much and you can not give up that drink, a good strategy may be to use decaffeinated coffee, which, although it does not have 0% caffeine, contains a minimal amount of this substance, which does not harm the baby.

Coffee is a drink with several benefits because it has antioxidants that help protect cells and helps to be more alert as it stimulates the brain, so it is not contraindicated in pregnancy, there is only one limit of consumption that should not be exceeded so as not to harm the health of the baby.

Coffee can make baby restless

After the baby is born, during breastfeeding, it is also recommended not to drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day because caffeine passes through breast milk. About 2 hours after you drink coffee or some caffeinated drink you will get to your milk and when the baby suckles you may get agitated.

So it may not be a good idea to consume anything with caffeine close to baby's bedtime, but if you need it well awake, for a photo shoot, for example, this may be a good strategy.

This effect is easier to see in women who do not drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages regularly.

Foods That Contain Caffeine

Besides coffee, there are more than 150 foods that contain caffeine, here are some examples of the ones that are most consumed in Brazil:

• Black tea, green tea and white tea;
• Chocolate and cocoa or chocolate drinks;
• Soft drinks, such as coke and pepsi;
• Industrialized tea, like ice tea.

To know the amount of caffeine present in this and other foods see: Foods rich in caffeine.

Caffeine-containing Remedies

Caffeine is also present in some remedies for flu and headache such as:

In addition to these, caffeine is also present in many dietary supplements indicated for those who practice physical activity.

What to do if you consume more caffeine than you should

If you end up consuming more caffeine than is recommended by the World Health Organization, do not worry and stay calm. Excess caffeine is unlikely to cause harm to the baby, especially if you just 'slipped' one time or another.

However, if you consume too much coffee every day and only found out that you are pregnant now, talk to the obstetrician at your first prenatal visit. He can assess the baby's health and check for any damage. The important thing is, from now on, to consume only the recommended amount.