In general, some adults are very fond of drinking coffee. As adults, they understand the side effects of caffeine consumption, but toddlers do not. In the following we will tell you whether coffee is harmful for children or not.
Coffee for children
One truth about toddlers is that they are the last group to join the ranks of coffee lovers. According to a 2015 study by Boston Medical Center, 15% of toddlers consume a maximum of 113 grams (4 ounces) of coffee per day. This means drinking half a cup of coffee, which is a small amount for a child of that age and body size. This study showed that 2.5% of 1-year-old children drink coffee, and this number increases at the age of 2 years. But the question here is, can toddlers drink coffee?
Why do toddlers drink coffee?
There are several factors. For example, especially in the Boston study, most Hispanic families in the United States give their toddlers a cup of coffee every day. The researchers found that these families saw no reason to stop toddlers from the tradition of drinking coffee. Another interesting point was that, on average, toddlers and infants drank more coffee per day than toddlers.
Access to coffee may also have an effect. Toddlers these days are more likely to see coffee at home or in the hands of their parents. They want to be “just like mom” or “just like dad” and sip their morning cup of coffee. Toddlers learn different habits from the adults around them, so it makes perfect sense for them to be curious about the behaviors of their parents and carers and to be interested in drinking coffee.
At what age is it possible for children to drink coffee?
If you still have questions about the right age for children to start drinking coffee and caffeine in them, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it is best not to drink coffee before the age of 12, and after this age should not be more than a cup of coffee (Drink more than 100 mg per day).
Is coffee harmful for children?
In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) formed a special group to look into increasing caffeine consumption in children. They noted in their special report that 73% of American children consume some type of caffeine product every day.
The most common source of caffeine was lemonade. Coffee drinks came in second. In fact, between 2009 and 2010, about a quarter of the caffeine consumed by children came from coffee.
Energy drinks are in third place and their consumption is increasing.
Tea consumption is also very common in children around 2 years old.
What are the side effects of coffee for children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not provide specific guidelines for caffeine consumption in children, although they do recommend that children not consume caffeine. Excessive doses of caffeine can cause both seizures and cardiac arrest, which can lead to death. Caffeine can also reduce appetite, make children feel less hungry, and make food more difficult to eat, and this is possible. When consuming caffeine, generally skip a meal or snack.
Children, especially toddlers, are more at risk for the negative health consequences of caffeine because they have less body mass and their body is not proficient in caffeine metabolism.
The biggest and most unknown danger to coffee for children is that scientists still do not understand the long-term effects of caffeine on the developing brain, especially in the young years when there is a lot of growth and development.
As an immediate effect of drinking coffee for children in a 2-year-old, you may find that he has a lot of energy that day, but you have to think about what to do if he is going to consume caffeine every day for a long time. Disaster strikes his growing brain. It is generally difficult to tell the long-term consequences of caffeine and coffee consumption for children.
What you can do
In general, the increasing trend of children drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages indicates that many Americans consider caffeine to be “natural” and safe. The truth is, caffeine is a powerful and stimulant drug, and despite its widespread availability and use, a solution must be found to prevent its overuse.
Does drinking a cup of coffee mean a lifetime of negative health consequences for your toddler?
Probably not, but the daily habit of drinking coffee or tea can be harmful at the same time as your child grows up.
Can I have tea or coffee?
If you start your toddler’s day with a habit of drinking coffee or tea, you may need to talk to your doctor about the potential impact on your baby’s growth.
It is important to talk to your child about consuming less caffeine as well as the harm of coffee to children, especially if caffeine is one of the main ingredients available in your home.
Talk to your child about why coffee is not a good choice for him, check the labels of drinks or foods that may contain caffeine, and if you want to follow a family tradition, sit together every day and have a cup of coffee together. Drink, it is better to prepare a decaffeinated drink for your toddler. For example, instead of coffee, make him a cup of hot milk with some chocolate or herbal tea.
What are the side effects of coffee for children?
As an immediate effect of drinking coffee for children in a 2-year-old, you may find that he has a lot of energy that day, but you have to think about what to do if he is going to consume caffeine every day for a long time. Disaster strikes his growing brain. It is generally difficult to tell the long-term consequences of caffeine and coffee consumption for children.
Does it reduce the child’s appetite?
Yes. Caffeine can also reduce appetite, make children feel less hungry and make it harder to consume food, and they are more likely to skip a meal or snack when consuming caffeine.
At what age is it possible for children to drink coffee?
If you still have questions about the right age for children to start drinking coffee and caffeine in them, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it is best not to drink coffee before the age of 12, and after this age should not be more than a cup of coffee (Drink more than 100 mg per day.
Why do toddlers drink coffee?
Access to coffee may also have an impact. Toddlers these days are more likely to see coffee at home or in the hands of their parents. They want to be just like mom or dad and sip their morning cup of coffee. Toddlers learn different habits from the adults around them, so it makes perfect sense for them to be curious about the behaviors of their parents and carers and to be interested in drinking coffee.
