Accessibility may also play a role. Toddlers are more likely to see coffee around the house or in their parents' hands these days. They want to be "just like Mom" or "just like Dad" and sip their morning cup of joe. Toddlers learn about the world from the adults around them, so it makes sense that they may be curious about coffee if it's a daily habit in their caregivers' lives. In , the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP put together a special task force to address the rising consumption of caffeine in children.
The most common sources of caffeine included soda drinks. Coffee drinks came in second. In fact, between and , approximately one-quarter of caffeine consumed by children came from coffee. Energy drinks came in third and their consumption is also on the rise.
Tea was also especially common in young children starting around the age of 2. The AAP has not specifically set guidelines for caffeine in children, although they do recommend that children not consume caffeine. This recommendation came after the rise of energy drink consumption, especially among teenagers.
Extremely high doses of caffeine can cause both seizures and cardiac arrest, which can lead to death. Caffeine can also dull appetite, making it harder for small children to feel hungry when they are and making it more likely they may skip a meal or snack when they've had caffeine. Children, especially toddlers, are more at risk to experience negative health outcomes of caffeine because they have less body mass, and their bodies are not as adept at processing the caffeine.
The biggest and most unknown risk to consider is that scientists simply don't know what the long-term effects of caffeine are on a developing brain, especially in the toddler years, when so much growth and development is happening.
It may be apparent immediately that a cup of coffee in a 2-year-old causes them to have lots of extra energy, but what happens to a toddler's brain if they are drinking that same cup of coffee every day for years? It's hard to say what the long-term consequences might be. Overall, the rising trend of children drinking coffee and other beverages with caffeine reflects how many Americans view caffeine as something that is "normal" and without risk.
The truth is, caffeine is a powerful drug and stimulant, and despite its widespread availability and use, should be treated as such. Is one sip of coffee going to mean a lifetime of negative health consequences for your toddler? No, probably not. But a daily habit of coffee or tea could be something that may harm your toddler's health as they grow older. If you are starting your little one on a habit of drinking coffee or tea every single day, you may want to speak to your doctor about the potential impact on your child's development.
It's important to talk to your child about healthy caffeine habits, especially if caffeine is a staple in your home. Talk to your child about why coffee might not be a healthy choice for them, check labels of drinks or foods that might contain caffeine, and if you want them to partake in a family tradition of drinking a hot cup of coffee together, consider fixing a special drink that does not contain caffeine.
For example, you may steam milk, stir up some hot chocolate, or consider an herbal tea instead of serving them up a cup of joe. Research suggests that caffeine ingested during pregnancy can change important brain pathways in the fetus. A study analyzed thousands of brain scans of 9 and year-old children and found changes in the brain structure of the children who had exposure to caffeine in the uterus.
The study found it caused minimal but noticeable behavioral issues, such as difficulties with attention and hyperactivity. It also recommended that a pregnant person consumes no more than 2 cups of regular coffee per day.
Sleep plays a critical role in the healthy development of the brain, particularly in learning and memory, regulating emotions and behavior. A lack of sleep, caused by too much caffeine intake, may affect brain development in children and adolescents. A study found that caffeine reduces sleep duration in adolescent boys. Learn more about coffee and tiredness here.
Coffee and caffeine can affect people differently, depending on weight, age, and other factors, such as underlying health conditions. If a child has any symptoms of caffeine overdose, or if they have taken a large amount of caffeine, seek medical advice. Adults should talk to children about safe daily limits of caffeine. Children in the U. Although the U. Large amounts of caffeine may even be toxic to young people. Knowing the harmful effects of caffeine and the symptoms of a caffeine overdose may help to protect the health of children and young people.
Caffeine occurs naturally in plants and is found in many foods and drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and cola. Although too much caffeine can cause….
Caffeine is present is some of the most popular drinks worldwide. However, in some people, it triggers an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can include…. Decaffeinated coffee, or decaf, is similar to regular coffee but contains very little caffeine. Research suggests that drinking decaf is not harmful…. Drinking coffee affects people differently and may have links to some skin problems. As a result, people who have acne may have concerns. ADHD is a behavioral condition in which a person is unable to focus on tasks for long periods. However, some research supports caffeine as a stimulant…. Coffee consumption in children: What to know.
Because children are smaller in body size, it takes less to impact their functioning. Children and adolescents are also still developing and the impact of caffeine on their nervous systems and cardiovascular systems is not fully known. Too much caffeine can cause issues such as increased anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, acid reflux and sleep disturbance. Too much caffeine is dangerous for kids, and in very high doses, can be toxic.
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness. If your child feels like he or she needs caffeine to get through the day, it would be better to work with a pediatrician to identify the root cause of what is creating the fatigue in the first place.
Most of these drinks tend to have not only the caffeine, but also high amounts of sugar, cream and whipped cream. Coffee beans contain antioxidants and other substances that research is showing help protect against disease.
Long-term studies would be needed to try to answer that question. I would say to err on the side of caution, and to try to limit coffee and caffeine intake of any kind, especially for the youngest children. If a child swallows a button battery, it can cause severe damage if not removed promptly.
Emergency medicine physician Ebony Hunter, M. Matthew D.
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