Convince me to STOP DRINKING CAFFEINE

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'm so hooked. I know it's affecting my moods, sleep, cravings, etc. I feel better when I'm off of it. But right now I'm caught in a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation from BFing all night and then i'm downing coffee and Spark to keep me going all day.

Any words of wisdom, encouragement, or BTDT? TIA!

[SuburbanHippie]

So you're drinking caffeine all day and your baby is up all night? Is there a connection there?

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by SuburbanHippie

So you're drinking caffeine all day and your baby is up all night? Is there a connection there?

Does caffeine pass through BM?

[mommathea]

0

Edited by mommathea - 5/11/11 at 4:20pm

[HeckedyPeg]

BTDT!! You have to wean yourself off or you'll have withdrawls! Drink one less cup every day, and when you're craving, drink water or an appropriate substitute. Drink decaf if you must. Don't beat yourself up if you slip. Once you get past the first two weeks it's easier.

Good luck!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Thank you for the responses.

Today is day one. I'm trying to have tea instead of coffee for a few days. We'll see if it works. Then eventually I'll have decaf or none.

[ashleybess]

I quit coffee (and I was a major addict - 5+ cups a day and woke up every morning with a withdrawal headache already developing) when my baby was about five months old. It didn't affect his night waking - he did and still does, now at ten months, wake frequently during the night - but it had a MAJOR positive effect on my moods and energy. I feel SOOOO much better. It's sincerely one of the best things I've ever done for my health. Do it!!!! The withdrawal headache is the worst part. You will also feel fatigued for about a week or two while your body readjusts. But then, one day you'll wake up and feel GREAT! Try to wean yourself gradually over the course of a few days to a week instead of doing cold turkey.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Today I only had 60mg of caffeine vs my usual 400+. I feel lazy and hot/clammy. Interestingly, DS woke up with a sweat-soaked shirt this morning (same sleeping conditions as usual- fan on high & a/c temp the same), so I'm wondering if he's going through withdrawal also??

[tanyalynn]

DS didn't wake less when I cut out caffeine either, but it really was good for me. And I need to do it again (it's 3 years later).

I cut myself a lot of slack in terms of what I expected to get done for a while, and really I felt wiped out for several weeks, just like the walking dead. But it was an important part of feeling better (it's because it's helped me feel so much better these past few years that I let myself fall back off the wagon).

I do the same thing, for me it's a switch from soda to iced tea, and then I wean off the iced tea.

Cutting out the caffeinated beverages helps me get to sleep earlier, and then I am more well rested and happier, and a better, more energetic parent, and the good things build on themselves just like the bad stuff did.

While I was feeling wiped out, having snacks on-hand, ready to eat, really helped. Nuts were great, nice and portable and they've got protein and fat and that was very helpful for me.

You're not alone in your struggles, but you can do it.