Anyone Drink Diet Coke While Pregnant?

Don't fret. I drank diet cokes throughout my pregnancies and have 4 normal healthy children. I drank the ones with caffeine and a lot more than you did per day and all 9 months.
Honestly, I think being nervous and anxious about the baby and pregnancy causes more harm than anything else, especially once they come out. Your baby can sense that you feel something is wrong. Just relax and everything will be fine.
I am very laid back and think of things like this... some people drink, smoke, do drugs throughout their entire pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. Others do "all the right things" according to whatever book they decided to read and have stillborn babies, babies with birth defects, etc. Some people will smoke until the ripe old age of 100 and die getting hit by a bus, others will develop lung cancer having never smoked a day in their lives. I'm not a very religious person but I believe that whatever happens is god's will and can't be traced back to your few diet cokes per day for a few months.
Now relax, and enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy!

1 mom found this helpful

I drank caffeine free diet pepsi through both pregnancies. My oldest at 2 1/2 can say and read all his letters (including lower case), can count to 30 on his own, knows a good amount of sign language, can recite at least two prayers by heart and is starting to read sight words. Likewise, he is in the 90% for height and 70% for weight... so far so good. My baby, 10 months this Friday, is very active, very healthy and very happy. He's had two ear infections and no other illnesses.

You'll be fine! My endocrinologist that I saw because of GD told me that caffeine free diet was OK.

Hi, not only did I drink Diet Coke, but everything I drink is aspartame. I have't had real sugar in 20 years. My son was born completely healthy and is growing like a weed (he's 4 1/2 months old) and he's meeting all his developemental marks. Throw in the fact that I'm over 40 and we are truely blessed. I really wouldn't worry at all.

I drank diet coke with all three pregnancies and had 3 healthy babies. I was just careful not to have more than one or two per day.

I drank a cup of caffeinated tea every morning, followed by a Diet Pepsi. It was under the recommendation limit.

I am sure two DC is under the limit too.

We had a wonderful natural child birth, and my girl is perfect.

I wouldn't worry about it. I turned out OK, and my mother smoked, drank, etc. A few Diet Cokes isn't going to hurt the baby, a six pack a day? That's another store.

I drank Diet Caffine Free diet coke all through my pregnancy and had a very health son. I think that you will be fine. Congratulations.

Hi A., I understand your nervousness. People can really get you worried about everything during pregnancy! I was so sick during my pregnancies, and diet coke really helped to keep me from vomiting all day long. So I asked my doctor about it one day, and he said 2 diet cokes a day were fine. I now have 2 beautiful healthy girls, ages 4 and 1. I think your baby will be fine, but try to stop worrying about it! Best wishes!

Hi A.,

I just read your post and all the wonderful responses. This is such a great site for suggestions and support. I do agree with the postings. There is nothing that you can do about it now, so don't stress yourself or the baby worrying about something you can't change. You can do everything right and have an UNhealthy baby, or do everything wrong and have a healthy baby. Life is mysterious that way. I would recommend though, that you stay away from it from now on, especially if you plan to nurse. Anything can be okay in small moderation, but aspartame is not healthy by any means. I have a friend that drank diet coke every day and was literally addicted to it. There is actually a medication to help with detox from aspartame. It is also a formaldehyde releaser, which is a known carcinogen. So if there is anything you are unsure of, I would just stay clear in the future.

I am sure you will have a perfectly healthy beautiful baby. It doesn't sound like you did anything out of the norm. Just take time to enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy and the blessing that is coming to your life and give grace to God for your miracle.

Hi A.,

I am a mom of 2 and was worried about the same thing. My doctor had said that everything would be fine in moderation. So I allowed myself 1 regular diet coke/day and then had the caffeine free diet cokes the rest of the time (I couldn't stand having just water all the time). I'm not sure of the exact number, but it was at least 2 or 3 cans a day.

Both of my kids turned out healthy and are still healthy. My 2 year old weight 8lbs 13oz when she was born and my 5 month old weighed 8lbs 7oz when he was born.

I hope this helps ease your mind a little bit. Good luck and congratulations!!

I drank about 3-5 Mountain Dews until about 6 weeks, then switched to Diet Mountain Dew until I was about 4 or 5 months pregnant and then because of heart burn and acid reflux I switched to 2-3 Diet Cokes and Coke Zero a day.

My daughter was born at 34 weeks and weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds! She was the largest baby in the NICU. She also was the healthiest (once I refused for them to give her formula because of glucose levels- long story) She does have some speech delays but so did my niece and nephew whose Mom did everything perfectly and by the book! I also am a smoker- I know, I know... I wont be getting Mom of the Year Award anytime soon!

If it helps to make you worry less- know that the European Union considers Apartame safe. Not only that you only drank it for about 2 months. They have more strict guidelines for food safety than here. I use A Consumers Dictionary of Food Additives when I buy my daughters foods now because of allergies to MANY unknowns (another long long looooong story)

Remember that everything in moderation is just fine! Even if something was to be "wrong" it would not have anything to do with what you did or did not do while being pregnant. How many mothers drank the first several months because they did not know they were prego? How many of our Mothers back in the day did everything wrong- I like to believe I turned out pretty decent anyhow! lol Relax and enjoy the last couple of weeks you have of your pregnancy.... you do not have much more time to get any relaxing for the next several years!

Good luck and blessings to you and your new baby to be here soon!

I did have a beautiful healthy daughter! Don't worry!

Don't sweat it, as stated previously you can't undo what has been done. It really isn't a big deal. If you are now concerned then don't drink any more.

I personally stayed away from asparateme but I did drink a Venti Choc chip brownie Frapp at STarbucks almost every day when I was preggos with my first and he is now 7 and doing GREAT!!

Having a few diet sodas in the third trimester shoudl be fine really. do what you feel you must and trust your instincts youll be fine!! Eat some extra veggies & fruit to make up for the "artificial" sweetner!! ;0)

I drank diet coke on a fairly regular basis and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Please try not to worry! Aspartame is not a banned substance for pregnant women.

I drank a lot of CF diet coke (as much as you) with both my kids and they are both happy, healthy and very bright. Not to worry

I drank diet coke as well during my pregnancy. I did also drink a bottle of water between cans (I know that sounds weird)but I had gestational diabetes & was always thirsty. My daughter is 20 mos now & absolutely perfect! She is actually very advanced verbally & no defects. Don't always believe everything you read, I'm sure your baby will be perfect too!!! Good luck & enjoy :)

First of all, whatever you did already you cannot change so it is very unproductive and unhealthy for your health and the fetus to be stressed. So just put it behind you and know that by making good choices now you are doing your best. That being said, personally I would not drink diet anything during pregnancy or nursing. It is known to be unhealthy for a variety of reasons. Even when people give birth to healthy babies, we don't know how our actions, good or bad effect our children's bodies throughout their lives. I do not believe smoking and drugs and chemicals leave no effect, regardless of the amounts. Everything in moderation, but not things that are known to be dangerous. You are doing the best you can as we all do. Don't worry too much. We all get worried about our fetuses and I remember being a nervous wreck the first time around so I feel for you and understand how nerve wrecking every little thing can be. G-d willing your baby will be fine and happy and healthy. Feel good and enjoy these last few weeks. It all goes sooooo fast! Congrats...

I drank Caffiene Free Diet Pepsi the entire time I was pregnant with both of my boys (ages 6 & 3). I am now in my 4th month of pregnancy and I still drink it. Sometimes when I was at a resturant I would drink whatever diet they had, many times with caffeine, but I don't drink coffee so that was the only amount of caffeine I got. Both of my boys are healthy with no problems at all. I do try to drink a lot of water and just have pop when I really want it.

HI A. T,
I drank 2-4 cans of Diet Pepsi (with caffeine) about 4-5 days a week (believe me-if I could get by without it, I would have). I did not, nor have I ever drank coffee. I am 35 years old and gave birth to a healthy 7lb, 8 oz baby girl (I also ran 3 miles 2-3 days a week during my first trimester).

I did ALL my research on aspartame before I even got pregnant. The best advice would of course be to eat all organic, heathly foods with the right nutrients and drink water-that is the best case scenerio. I am an advocate of that, but life gets in the way. I found no evidence (yet) that having caffeine (under 200 mg) or aspartame would lead to birth defects, learning disabilites, etc-so my 2-4 cans of diet pepsi kept me stress free and able to eat healthy and get through the day while being pregnant. I hope that info helps. I am a high school teacher (chemistry) so I know how to read and interpret studies/experiements as well as validate the source.

I drank one to two cups of coffee with each of my three children. I also drank diet Coke periodically throughout all three pregnancies...especially the second one since I craved it. I had about three a week.

All my babies are healthy 8lbs 14oz, 7lbs 3oz, 8lbs 15oz...all are very smart and ahead of their peers. None of them has any birth defects...

Now about teh worrying. Tell me what good is it doing you to worry about something that is done. You can't change it. You can't undo it. There is absolutely no proof one way or the other that it harms anyone....only mice that they give 100x regular servings....even I would suffer ill effects if they gave me 100x the recommended serving of ANYTHING.

Let it go!!! How does that religious phrase go? Something about not worrying about what you can't change. It's done, it's over...and your baby will be fine. Your worrying does more damage than that artificial sweetner.

Really just spend the rest of your pregnancy eating well, drinking your orange juice, eating your protien, taking your pre-nats....and all that jazz. Stop worrying about what can't be changed.

Prepare for that baby and focus on being a great mommy when he/she comes along.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You drank Caffeine Free which is well below the caffeine limits, and everyone has different feelings about sweeteners. I drank Diet Coke periodically with my first and do now that I am pregnant with my 2nd. I also drank/drink coffee that is 2/3 decaf to 1/3 Caffinated. I did alternate which one I drank. We have a handsome and very healthy 2 year old boy. He seems to be a little ahead of himself in a lot of ways. I also allowed myself a can/ cup of coffee when I was pumping and it had no effect on him. #2 is off to a healthy start during my pregnancy as well. I have also read reseach that says there has to be a genetic predisposition to trigger autism.

Many people so a lot worse than have a Diet Coke :)

I drank 1-2 Diet Pepsis during each pregnancy. I have had 4 healthy children. My Ob said it was fine. Enjoy your upcoming baby. Time flies so enjoy every moment and don't worry about all the little things!

I drank diet coke throughout my pregnancy and delivered a healthly 7lb 11 oz 22 1/2 inches long girl with no problems. She is now 4 and is already reading short books, has an excellent memory and no allergies.

I had twins almost 2 years ago, and limited myself to 1 can of diet coke a day once I knew I was pregnant. (I drank a LOT more than that before I found out!!) Doc said 1 a day was okay at that point.

My kids were born at 35.5 weeks, and spent 17 and 18 days in the NICU.

The March of Dimes shortly after my pregnancy said even small amounts of caffience affect the baby. So if I ever get pregnanct again, I think I will attempt to do without.

I agree with the other posts. No use stressing about stuff you can't undo.

BTW...My kids are overall healthy kids!

Hi A.,
I drank some diet coke during my pregnancy not a lot but we had about a half a case in the house that I drank probably over a month. I a gave birth a healthy baby a year ago. We have not had any health issues behavioral issues or anything. My baby boy is a healthy, happy, easy going baby.

Hi A.- I had the same worries during my pregnancy when I was reading alot of articles.

I drank 1-2 diet caffeine free cokes per day (it was my guilty pleasure). I also added splenda to the ocassional caffeine free Starbucks Misto.

I delivered a healthy baby girl 2 months ago and would tell you not to stress out and enjoy the balance of your pregnancy.

I drank one can almost every day throughout both of my pregnancies. They were both full term, very healthly each with 9 apgar scores. Now they are extremely healthy 6 and 2 year olds. I personally wouldn't worry about it another second. Good luck!

The pop in moderation is ok. Aspartame is not the greatest but like some of the posts....I drank diet mt dew....I was so tired the last few months and I needed it....My son was born healthy and a better sleeper than his older sister....Don't over do it and monitor your intake.

I drank caffeine free diet dr. pepper with all three of my kids, and they are all perfect. with my last one, I would occasionally have caffeine, either in a glass of diet soda from a restaurant, or a cup of coffee. While it made me a little wired since I was so use to no caffeine, it had no effect on my little ones.

Not Diet Coke, but Diet Pepsi - 1, sometimes 2 cans a day - while trying to kick the soda problem I had. My son is 13, healthy and no disabilities.

I drank Caff. free Diet Coke about once every other day or so and my daughter is perfectly healthy.

Hello, it is suggested not to drink or eat anything with artificial sweetners while pregnant as studies have not been done to see lasting affects on the development of the child. I would stop using these products and just stay calm. Worring about it can create unneeded stress that can cause even more problems. I am a childbirth educator and one of the things I go over in my class is nutrition which includes eliminating artificial sweetners. You mentioned you only drank for 2-3 months when was this in the stage of pregnancy? The baby should be okay, but I would definetly watch what you ingest.

don worry about what you cant change. I know many people who drank fake sugar all day long through their entire pregnancy and their kids are fine. I wouldnt recommend it, but there is no sense worrying in what you already did. Stress is very bad for baby too...especially at the end so RELAX and get some rest before your beautiful healthy baby comes out and keeps you up all night! (also breastfeed as a precaution :)