Help! Pg woman wants to be caffeine free!

FiddleFit

FiddleFit

Cathlete
I would like to wean myself off my daily 2 cups of coffee, and am open to all suggestions. I should preface this by saying that I don't truly *want* to do this, so much as I know I'd better do it before my taste buds switch and the smell and taste of coffee makes me want to gag. It's a common food aversion for pregnant women, and I experienced it in both of my previous pregnancies, so there's no reason to think it will be different this time around. But I'd like to do this a gently as possible, so I don't compound first trimester fatigue with caffiene-withdrawl.

Here's my addiction pattern:
* one large cup at 5am, to open my eyes and get me ready for my workout at 5:30am;
* second cup, a bit smaller, at 10am, to regenerate for the afternoon;
* no caffeine after 12pm because it affects my ability to go into deep sleep at night.

I am most concerned about removing the first-cup-in-the-morning, because it is typically the one that motivates me to get out of bed during these dark, cold winter days.

Any suggestions, ideas, or personal anecdotes?
Sandra
 
Can you have decaf coffee(mabey mixed with the real thing for a little to wean yourself off) or do you like hot tea? there are alot of great caffine free teas.....

jes
 
Hi Sandra,

I am a coffee/caffeine addict!!! I would drink several cups of caffeinated coffee through my day and evening. I am now down to 1 regular size mug of 1/2 caff/1/2 decaf at home in the morning before work and 1 cup of regular ol caff coffee when I first get to work and that's it. The rest of the time, if I want the taste, I drink decaf coffee or decaf tea. I just cut back gradually so that I wouldn't feel the affects of sudden withdrawal. I would get migraines from caffeine withdrawal. Cutting down a little at a time left me with no withdrawal symptoms and now I don't even miss all of that caffeine!:)I will never give up coffee in general though...I love it!

I would say to first maybe try cutting the size of that first a.m. coffee in half (or you can reaplace with 1/2 decaf. like I did so you still get your LARGE cup in.:)) Once you are used to that, then maybe do the same to the 2nd cup. Then I guess if you are looking to just cut coffee out completely you can make those cups a little smaller every time until you are down to nothing.

Good Luck!
You can do it!
~Wendy~
http://www.bullmarketer.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/Sports/exercise/thumb_exercise15.gif

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN
 
Congratulations again Sandra, that is such exciting news!!

as far as the caffine.......ooooh that's a tough one for me to give advice on as I am addicted toox( The first cup in the early a.m. will probably be the most difficult, so I'd start with your 10:00a.m. cup by trying to wean (as jess recommended) to decaf. Once you have that down....go for the 5:00a.m. switch.

You can do it!!
 
Congratulations Sandra!!

When I was pregnant with my second child I was really addicted to coffee as well(love that stuff). I started mixing my coffee with half reg & half decaf. I continued doing this for a few weeks and then started diluting even more with decaf. Within a month's time I was drinking full cups of decaf instead. For me it was the taste of coffee as well as the caffeine, but this weening process worked pretty well. Good luck with it!! I know how hard it is!!

Aila:)
 
Sandra,

I had this problem and this is what I did. I started drinking well I like to call it "fake coffee". I got it at the health food store sort of like Postum (I think that's the name of the one you can get at a regular store) the one I drink is called Kafree. But the health food stores have many different brands. I tell you what it did the trick for me. Is made out of garbanzo beans and other kinds of beans. It tastes very good. But of course you being pregnant it might take some time to get used to the flavor. When I have a cup I use flavored creamers so I don't feel so deprived. I almost forgot the best part, I went to a candle shop and bought coffee scented candles. For those moments when I really missed the smell of a fresh pot of coffee. I got cappuccino, regular coffee and mocha, they smell so gooood! Also think how good it would be for the baby. I remember when my mom used to give me coffee in my bottle. She was a big time coffee drinker, what am I saying? she still is. Hope this works for you like it did me.

Jen
 
Hi everyone,

Thanks for your suggestions. I've been trying to figure out, "what? Brew two pots of coffee every day, just for a half cup of decaf and regular?? Are these people nuts?" Then clever DH pointed out that I could just blend the beans, and brew them in the same pot. Somebody hit me with a stupid stick. So, I may go that route, as well as switching the 10am cup to tea.

Jen, what a novel idea! Am I right in thinking that you are suggesting this fake coffee after I've weaned from the regular stuff? You're not suggesting I just switch right over?

Wendy, are you telling me that you did not develop an aversion to the smell and taste of coffee during your first trimester??? Is it possible that I could be so lucky?? In my first pregnancy, the first time I upchucked was in a coffee shop, from the smell. I had to quit cold-turkey, and that was horrible. The second time, I refused to quit; I powered my way through my morning coffee, but had to switch to a light bean, and make my husband go to the local coffee shop to have his cup, because I couldn't stand the smell of his dark beans. The minute I miscarried, I was back to loving the smell and taste. Actually, I don't think the taste itself ever bothered me; I think it was always the smell that repulsed me and kept me from getting close enough to taste it. Hmmmm, maybe I just need to brew it by an open window :)

Even if I get through the pregnancy fully-caffeinated, I think I would like to be caffeine-free when nursing. Those little critters don't need anything helping to keep them up at night!

Thanks for your replies; any other ideas are still appreciated.
Sandra
 
When I went off caffeine, I weaned myself by mixing full caf with decaf and gradually lessening my intake. Circumvented withdrawl. Once off the caf, it was easy enough to quit drinking coffee, albeit very sad. I adore coffee! The thinkgs we do for love!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top