Arwen,
I’m in the midst of dumping caffeine too, but for blood pressure effects.  We’ve got 2 toddlers and I was VERY dependent on the kick for a soda and tea throughout the day.  Things that help me (not easy to do on a plane or at a Mass) are bursts of activity like a walk or run around the yard with the kids, a good bellylaugh, keeping well hydrated, protein with good carbs and fruits/veggies, putting my feet up while reading to the kids in lieu of catching a catnap.  Good luck, enjoy the flight and weekend.

In general, I don’t like to chew gum, but it definitely keeps you awake, and it can be sugar-free.  Plus, on a plane trip, it will help to keep your ears from popping.  Maybe not as appropriate at Mass, but a graduation ceremony is probably fine.

No coffee when you have a baby!?

And I thought nine months would be trying enough.

Looks like I won’t be a mother after all.

(Hehe. Only kidding….I think.)

When I was pregnant with my dd, who was born in November, I was exhausted and needed a little pick me up, just to keep up with the toddler.  My doula suggested I use Emergen-C, twice a day.  I took her advice, and was amazed.  It’s a great supplement anyway, but has the added effect of giving you a nice energy boost, the natural way.   Now, I swear by it, and on those days where I need more than my breakfast tea to get going, I drink one.  You can find them almost anywhere.  I get mine at Walmart.

I never gave up caffeine when I was nursing my four children and I just accepted the outcome.  And I’m not really certain if there was any, I simply accepted that a baby will be fussy at times and some days are better than others.  My attitude at the time was that if I imposed all these limits on myself, I would just as soon give up the nursing.  I would have been miserable. My mom who had eight children and breastfed them all,  would jokingly say to me that the reason that her generation had so many children was that they didn’t give much thought to not having a glass of wine or some coffee while they were pregnant and/or nursing a baby.  We all turned out fine, and so did my 29 first cousins!

I’m no mother, but I am a grad student with a habit of putting papers off until the last minute and dealing with the resultant long nights. Does my advice count?

At the moment, since I have an enormous amount of work to do in the next 17 hours, I’ve given up and bought Red Bull, which I usually don’t do, because I’m very sensitive to caffeine and it makes me bouncy and jumpy and off the wall.

I was going to recommend apples, which I’ve read wake you up as well as a cup of coffee, thought I can’t verify that. Just eating in general tends to help me - if I graze or snack often through the day when I’m really tired, it helps keep my blood sugar up (at least, that’s the explanation I’ve invented. Sounds plausible, no?) and keep me awake.

I also second the advice of “burts of energy” - jumping jacks, or even a walk across the room can help, as can general stretching and calisthenics, which get your blood flowing and reinvigorate you. You might be able to make stretching look a little less obtrusive/obvious than jumping jacks in a place like an airport, too!

If you really feel yourself flagging and need to make sure you don’t actually fall asleep, cold drinks, or crunchy foods, or anything that’s a little bit of a shock to your system should help temporarily.

(Anyone want to guess how many of these I’ll be using over the course of the next 17 hours?)

I didn’t drink coffee during my first trimesters because smells bothered me, especially coffee.  I drank my regular two cups during my pregnancy and while I was nursing.

I did get the idea to give up my beloved coffee one Lent.  My teenagers told me that I wasn’t allowed to do that EVER again.  LOL.  But, I started drinking soda, which was worse for my weight.

I have also heard of apples giving you a pick up.

I don’t drink coffee when pregnant or nursing.  If I’m really exhausted and can’t take a 10 minute catnap (those little naps have really helped me), then I might have a cup of hot cocoa or hot tea.  I realize they both have caffiene in them, but not nearly as much as a cup of joe.  I also drink decaf to psychologically fool myself into thinking I’ve had a pick-me-up.  Amazing how that can help sometimes!

I second the Emergen-C recommendation. I love the stuff and have used it every time I’ve tried to cut back on coffee. Have a wonderful trip!

Don’t forget the airlines limitations on liquids.  Is it still that you can’t bring on anything more than 3oz??  Maybe you should take something to help you SLEEP on the plane instead of trying to energize you!?  of course, you know that if you actually could sleep that sweet baby Blaise would be full of energy during that time!!  Probably not a good idea…. 

I drink lots and lots of water for a real energy booster.  I love coffee and iced tea, but if it is too late in the day, I will fill up on as much water as I can and I am always amazed at how great I feel after.  Also, when I’m really exhausted, I hit my knees and beg the Holy Spirit to fill me up where I am weak.  As mothers, God knows what we need to take care of His little ones.  I ask Him to give me His strength, His love, His power.  Thanks be to God…He never lets me down!

Having a protein snack will keep you more alert.  Dont’ eat carbs when you need to stay “awake”.  They’ll make you more sleepy.  Of course don’t cut out all carbs. Eat fruit and veggies!

Try decaf coffee - less caffeine - but you’ll feel like you’re getting the real thing . . . frappacino’s have a lot of sugar, so that could work too.  Something to consider - baby’s schedule is going to be a wreck no matter what you do so you might as well have some caffeine . . .  and since you’ve given it up you’ll need nless to get your energy.

Peppermint tea!  It’s herbal and caffeine.  Good luck! 

This is such my topic!
Being a busy mom of 6 kids under age 8, I totally depend on my coffee. Not that I am happy about this but this mom has to do what a mom NEEDS to do to make it through the day!  I completely need my caffeine boost first thing in the morning, and plus I really do love the smell and taste of coffee too!   When the sleepless nights just build up on one another, coffee is part of survival!
God bless!