From playing with a toy teaset to reaching out for an actual cuppa — we’ve all done it at some point in our lives! What do those adults drink in the cup? We’ve all been curious! Most of all, we’ve all wanted to have a sip from the cup, too!But here’s the thing: a lot of parents aren’t sure if it’s alright to let their kids have a sip of their morning tea or evening coffee. Kids see adults drinking these every day, so it’s natural they’d want to join in. But honestly, tea and coffee aren’t just harmless mini versions of grown-up drinks. Doctors and researchers have looked into this, and they’re clear: caffeine affects kids in ways that are different from adults. It messes with sleep, appetite, and even how kids grow. Knowing what’s actually risky—and what’s not—helps parents skip the guesswork and make decisions based on real info, not just habit.
Tea, coffee, and kids: What experts advise
So, what do the experts actually say? Tea and coffee are everywhere. Adults drink them for the little energy boost, but kids’ bodies just aren’t built to handle caffeine the same way. It’s a stimulant, which means it gets the brain and nervous system going. As per the Cleveland Clinic, for kids, especially those under 12, that’s not a good thing. Most pediatricians say kids shouldn’t have caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee at all when they’re young.
Why caffeine is risky for children
Here’s why caffeine is a problem for children. It hits the brain pretty fast, so kids might seem more awake for a bit. But it often brings along anxiety, a racing heart, the jitters, stomach aches, and trouble sleeping. Since kids are smaller and still growing, even a little caffeine can hit them harder than it does adults. Too much can also make acid reflux worse and lead to trouble with behavior or focusing at school.There’s more. Caffeine can mess with how kids absorb nutrients, especially calcium and iron — two things that kids really need as they grow. Some research even links caffeine to lower calcium absorption, which isn’t great for bone health. So, letting kids have tea or coffee is more than just sharing a ritual — it’s something to think twice about.
Should kids be drinking tea and coffee? — What doctors say
The short answer is no.Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy told HuffPost UK: “It’s not a good thing to give any caffeine-containing food or drinks to babies, toddlers and young children. Generally, young children are those aged under 12.”The NHS also advises that tea, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks are not suitable for babies and young children. Along similar lines, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire warns against giving children caffeine, adding: “Tea is not recommended for children as it reduces iron absorption.”
Why caffeine is the main concern
“Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant, and its effects in babies and children are largely unknown,” Dr Lee explained.She pointed out that young children have developing brains and much smaller body sizes than adults, making caffeine intake harder to regulate safely. “The problem is that young children have a developing brain and a relatively smaller body size. The safe limit of caffeine intake in this age group is not known.”According to Dr Lee, there is also limited research on how caffeine affects children’s hearts and nervous systems. “She added that the effects of caffeine on the central nervous system and heart have not been well researched in children.”What is known, however, is concerning. “Caffeine has been shown in children to cause anxiety, insomnia, acid-reflux, raised blood pressure, and a rapid heart rate,” she said.There is some conflicting evidence. One study suggested that drinking tea from the age of four could help children reduce the risk of obesity, stress, and heart disease. As reported by the Evening Standard, “the caffeine in tea was outweighed by the hydration and flavonoids it provides.”Still, caffeine appears in many everyday foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, caffeinated fizzy drinks, hot chocolate, and chocolate itself. Energy drinks, in particular, contain very high levels of caffeine.Dr Lee also warned that diluting tea or coffee with milk does not make it safer. “Dr Lee noted that adding lots of milk to tea and coffee doesn’t affect the caffeine content of the drink, either.”Sugar is another issue. “Also, many children want sugar in tea and coffee, and children should avoid sugary drinks because of the increased risk of dental decay and the ongoing concern about childhood obesity,” she added.
What about decaf?
Even decaffeinated versions are not recommended for younger children.“Decaffeinated tea and coffee still contain caffeine,” Dr Lee said. “Coffee contains around 7mg and tea around 2mg per 200ml cup. Ideally, babies and young children should not have this either.”She summed up her advice clearly: “In my opinion, you should avoid giving even milky tea, coffee, or decaffeinated tea and coffee to children under 12.”On energy drinks, her stance was even firmer. “I would absolutely advise against children having energy drinks under any circumstances. A healthy child has plenty of energy – if they don’t have energy, take them to the GP!”
