Well, nay-sayers, prepare to be proven wrong. All of you snarky mamas who glared at me nursing my 3 1/2-year-old on the NYC subway, prepare to be amazed. And to all of my family and friends who wanted to chastise me about nursing a walking, talking, thinking, laughing little man named Fred, thanks for holding your tongues. Because we did it.
What's in this article? Drinking alcohol during her pregnancy can cause a woman's baby to be born with birth defects and developmental disabilities. In fact, alcohol (beer, wine, or hard liquor) is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States.
Alcohol consumption should be completely avoided during pregnancy. Although there is no concrete evidence that caffeine causes birth defects, some studies indicate an increased risk of miscarriage. It is best to be cautious and limit consumption of coffee and caffeinated beverages. If you must drink coffee, drink decaf.