11 weeks Pregnant, Too much caffine??

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am absolutely addicted to iced tea right now...I don't care what brand (snapple, nestea, lipton) or flavor (rasberry, peach, lemon or Black, white, red, or Green). I Do not drink coffee, simply because I don't like it. I don't typically drink much caffine products anyway, and I have not been drinking all this tea for the caffine boost, just for the flavor..I CRAVE it! I am worried that I may be taking in too much caffine and it will affect the baby. I really drank little to no caffine w/ my daughter. I feel like the first 3 months are the most important, and I don't want to anything that will jepordize my baby's health...But I literally cannot stop drinking tea! I know they say you can have up to (what is is?) 2-3 coffees a day safely, but I still wish I could drink none. I'm not sure if tea has as much caffine as coffee, I have always thought it had less. I don't have several bottles a day, but do have maybe 2 glasses of instant powder iced tea, and 1 bottle a day..Do you think this is enough to have adverse affects? Did anyone else drink a lot of caffine during pregnancy and have no problems? What do you think of the caffine during pregnancy debate?

[Darkestlight]

I am 19wks pregnant and am addicted to caffeine. I drink mt dew like its going out of style. My baby is perfectly healthy so far and I wouldn't worry too much. I worried about caffeine intake too in the beginning, but now I just try to drink maybe as much water as I do soda that way I dunno maybe the water will help and caffeine won't be the only intake she has.

[sheddybear]

I don't think caffeine is as much as a problem while you're pregnant than after the baby is born.  Just like it can give you the jitters it can give it to the baby too.  Plus, I think it's linked to low birth weights.

[ma2isiah]

Iced tea has much LESS caffiene than coffee. I think the amount you are drinking is fine. Just remember that caffienated beverages can dehydrate you if you are not drinking enough water. Iced tea is a good choice though mostly water actually and much better for you than soda.

[mami2karina]

I drank soda throughout my entire pregnancy with my daughter and the same with this pregnancy.  I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant with a perfect baby boy. I wouldn't worry about it too much.  But I'm not sure about the GREEN tea, I've heard bad things about that during pregnancy.

[sheddybear]

In general caffeine in pregnancy is safe in mild doses.  But it sounds like you're drinking a lot.  Tea has more caffeine than coffee per serving.  Why don't you try decaf tea.  I made decaf iced tea all the time when I was pregnant and I thought it tasted pretty much the same (slightly weaker).  

[5preg2B]

I cut back on tea the first trimester but did not give it up..  have you tried the decaffinated kind??  I craved the caffeine and still do.  I get really bad headaches w/o it.   so I drink it...   moderations two cups a day shoudl be okay...  good luck..  

[lovethebops]

Thank you gals...some of you made me feel a lot better. I Would have no problem drinking decaf tea-if I could find it! (which, of course, I can't) Like I said I'm not addicted to tea for the caffine, just the taste, I can't stop craving it!! I never drank much caffine before becoming pregnant, Although I would drink tea sometimes, but coffee never. Coffee makes my heart race, and gives me the jitters, plus it hurts my stomach (too acidy) and I just don't really like the taste. I never drink soda either. Iced tea doesn't make my heart race or give me the jitters, so I figured it didn't have as much caffine as coffee.
I guess I should have been more clear about how much I drink. I don't typically drink that much every single day, but at the most I can drink up to 2 8 oz. glasses of instant powder iced tea ( I make mine watered down as it is) that I mix myself, and since I am still throwing up a lot, I don't typically keep it all down. By a bottle, I meant 1 20 oz bottle, like one snapple glass bottle full through out the morning. And I am a water drinker, so I drink a lot of water during the day too. I just thought I was drinking mostly water and sugar, which keeps my blood sugar from dropping, which happens if I don't eat every few hours or so. I think I have only had green tea a few times so far, only when I can't find the black iced tea at gas stations and such. So 2 glasses and 1 bottle is the most I have had in one day, but I don't typically have that much in 1 day, everyday...but I do still have one a day, most days...hope that clears things up..
Also, I don't plan to drink caffine when nursing either, because when I nursed my dd, she was very affected when I had any caffine whatsoever. I figured this baby would be the same way...Thank you all for your thoughts! :)

[lovethebops]

NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Actually there is a maternity shirt that says: "future colts fan" w/ an arrow pointing to the belly that I am going to wear to rub in my lil' brothers face...He gets so mad, cuz he is a HUGE Patriots fan..LOL, Oh well, can't please everyone...What's wrong with liking the World Champs anyways?? :}

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Sheddy, tea has approximately 1/3 the caffeine of coffee so it is a better choice when pregnant.

OP--Look for caffeine free iced tea, or make it from scratch yourself.  It is really good when you add the sugar and lemon while the tea is hot.

[kraziekracka]

i drank coke throughout my pregnancy...i mean thats mostly wat i drank all day everyday that & water & my baby boy had no problems at all...i say if u want it drink it lol i think the baby will be fine :D

[lovethebops]

Thanks...Sheddybear really freaked me out w/the "tea has more caffine than coffee"..I always thought it had less..thanks for posting that. I have tried to look for caffine free pre-made tea, I just have a hard time finding it. If I could find it, I would definately drink that over regular tea. As for making my own iced tea, I love doing that, but the premade is more convienient for me..I have been buying take out and premade food so much, I have been too exhausted to make anything for myself..I have just been so lazy..it is awful..I will try to make some this summer, I love making my own!

[rubyolivia]

Bops, I think the fact that your kid is going to be born a Colt's fan is probably more harmful than the tea! hehe!

Actually, I'm quite the iced tea drinker myself! My doc told me that 2 mediums from McD's in a day are perfectly fine. So I'm not sure how many ounces that is, but it's enough to get me through til the next morning! (The McD's drive thru girls in the morning are turning into my best friends! lol)  You and the baby should be A-OK. (Just as long as you find a new football team)

[pertykitty]

i have an iced tea maker. i buy decaff (just because when not pg i had enough with morning coffee!!) and id put a few small bags of regular tea mixed with a bag of flavored tea, plus a cinnamon stick. from what i have read you should limit your intake. i try to not have more than the smallest amount, however i have my posting above yours regarding stupid lunchmeat!! **** and then i read not to eat homeade ice cream or soft serve!!! and raw veggies......i give up! lol.

[Nicole24]

I Love the Colts!! I am from Chicago but dont like the Bears. Now my bf is a HUGE Bears fan so there is a problem in our house!! He tells me our son will not like the Colts end of story! ya ok!!!

[lovethebops]

Yes, a fellow Colt fan!! I can't get enough football, and I just crack up over all of Peyton Manning's silly tv ads. I love the cell phone one w/ him wearing  that fake black mustace and wig! LOL :) Imagine how unpopular I am here in New Enland..4 time champs and I don't like them?? People think I'm nuts! I just love football though! Can't wait for this fall for the season to start, I'LL be so big by then, I can sit on my big old pregnant butt, eat chips and watch good ol' Peyton Manning take us to another Championship, LOL!

[Nicole24]

LOL!! You sound like me! On Super Bowl our house was PACKED with people. All Bears fans. i was the only one with a Peyton Manning jersey on. I got yelled at so much but who too home the championship!! =)

[rubyolivia]

Oh for pete's sake! I've been outnumbered! lol

[ginmomof3]

I also drank a tom of ice tea while pregnant and my dr said was ok since it is diluted when you make.  The caffine is not as much as coffee in the ised tea, hot tea may be different

[lovethebops]

I was the only one w/ a Peyton jersy too! We love football parties, My brother just glared at me when I walked in the house w/  Peyton jersy on....After all, My team had just whooped his team's (the Pats) butts in the playoffs...I felt awsome when they won! :)