Is Soda & cola safe during pregnancy?
Caffeinated sodas add about 23–83 mg per 12 oz; caffeine-free sodas don't count toward the 200 mg/day limit.
What the sources say
ACOG says moderate caffeine — under 200 mg a day from all sources — is not linked to miscarriage or preterm birth. FDA lists caffeinated soft drinks at 23–83 mg per 12 oz; Mayo Clinic lists cola at about 33 mg per 8 oz and most root beers and citrus sodas at 0 (some citrus brands contain caffeine). Diet sodas use sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose — see those entries. While breastfeeding, CDC considers up to about 300 mg/day (2–3 cups of coffee) low to moderate; newborns and preterm babies clear caffeine slowly, so less may be better.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
soda, cola, coke, coca-cola, pepsi, dr pepper, mountain dew, soft drink, root beer, diet coke, diet soda, coke zero
Sources
- FDA: Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
- Mayo Clinic: Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more
- ACOG: How much coffee can I drink while I'm pregnant?
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.