Here is just a little bit of information about Aspartame, and why you probably shouldnt drink it whether you are pregnant or not. Mind you, once I read this I simply changed to normal coke. But during the pregnancy I have been pretty good and only drinking it every now and then, as opposed to what I was before. Simply because it doesnt taste the same anymore LOL!! So I agree that while we are being over cautious when it comes to some foods and everything else, Aspartame is nasty, and its not something you would want to give your baby Im sure.

When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.

Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics. We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control.Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance. Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage,seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage. Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics, as well.Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and AHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet. Most of these children were being "poisoned" on a daily basis with the very foods that were "better for them than sugar".

Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e., mental retardation,if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners. There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances due to the use of aspartame. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to convince people that Aspartame is to blame for their child's illness.

Source : EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS - written by Dr. Russell Blayblock and;
DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE - written by DR H. J. Roberts