Coffee is an energy-boosting beverage that will help kick-start your day. Although this is an excellent beverage for adults, you must know whether it suits your kids before giving it.
Since coffee contains caffeine, some parents consider providing decaf coffee to their kids. Can you provide decaf coffee for your kids?
If you need clarification regarding kids consuming decaf coffee, this article is for you!
Knowing when you can start providing decaf coffee to your kids is important. Since they are highly sensitive, avoiding caffeinated beverages is better. Many researchers mention that decaf coffee is unsuitable for kids under 12. Hence, it is better to avoid providing your 3-year-old with decaf coffee.
Continue reading the blog to learn why you should not provide decaf coffee to kids and the best age to give them caffeinated beverages.
Can Kids Drink Decaf Coffee?
As your children grow, they will become more interested in the world around them. There might be a situation where they like to sip your decaf coffee and would like to know how that tastes.
Before offering your kid a sip of decaf coffee, it is essential to see if it is good for them. The healthcare professional will often say at what age you must start to provide specific food items for kids.
Following such instructions will help prevent picky eating and digestive problems.
Imagine that you think an energy-boosting beverage like decaf coffee will suit your 3-year-old.
Most parents believe decaf coffee contains very little caffeine, so it is a safe beverage for their kids. Although a decaf coffee sip will not harm your kid, it is better to avoid it until the child turns 12.
Coffee is not the only caffeinated beverage; even hot chocolate contains 5mg of caffeine per cup. Hence, it is essential to check the ingredients, calories, etc., when purchasing food for kids.
At What Age Can Your Children Drink Coffee
Many professionals advise providing caffeinated beverages or decaf coffee only once your child turns 10-12 and not below that.
However, some parents try giving decaf coffee to their kids at an earlier stage. Even some professionals say that consuming decaf coffee in small amounts is acceptable for children ages one to twelve.
In contrast, it is better to avoid caffeinated beverages until the age of twelve. Decaf coffee is also included because it is not caffeine-free. This beverage contains approximately 3mg of caffeine per cup.
That means the 3-year-old cannot consume decaf coffee. If your child accidentally sips a small amount from your decaf coffee cup, you should not be concerned because it will have little effect.
Why Is Decaf Coffee Harmful to Three-Year-Olds?
You might wonder why decaf coffee is terrible for your 3-year-old even though most of its caffeine is removed. The following are a few reasons for this.
Not 100% decaffeinated.
As mentioned, decaf coffee is produced using coffee beans that are 97% decaffeinated. Hence, the beverage will still contain around 3 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces.
This tiny amount of caffeine may cause side effects when introducing small kids to decaf coffee.
Chemicals in Decaf Coffee Are Dangerous
Not all decaffeinated coffee is made with the swiss water process. Assume you buy decaffeinated coffee that has been decaffeinated with methylene chloride.
Then there is a high chance that it may contain chemicals.
Since the health benefits of drinking decaf coffee outweigh the risks, it is okay if your kid drinks a moderate amount of this beverage.
Cannot Predict the Caffeine Content
Best-quality decaf coffee produced using Swiss water process will remove most caffeine. In contrast, methylene chloride will remove around 96% of caffeine.
Hence, your decaf coffee cup may contain over 3 mg of caffeine.
How Much Decaf Coffee Can Your Child Consume in a Day?
If your kid is under the age of 12, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the child should not consume more than 2.5 mg of caffeine.
Then imagine giving your 3-year-old child an 8-ounce cup of decaf. Will this be a good idea?
Since the cup of decaf contains 3mg of caffeine, this will be too much for kids. If you plan to give your kids decaf coffee, strictly check the caffeine content you provide daily.
When Should You Give Your Children Decaf Coffee?
When giving coffee to kids, it is also essential to know the best time. Most professionals say that you can provide decaf coffee in the morning. This will be an energy-boosting beverage.
If your child is under 12, getting advice from your doctor about giving decaf coffee is best.
Drinking decaf coffee at night may cause sleep deprivation. Even trace amounts of caffeine can disrupt their sleep cycle.
Healthy Drinks for Your Kid
Since there are few side effects related to caffeine consumption, it is best to provide healthy drinks to kids.
A child between the ages of one and three will consume approximately one litre of fluid per day. Hence, hydrating your kid by giving him healthy drinks is essential.
Following are a few healthy beverages for your 3-year-old kid.
- Water
- Coconut water
- Milk
- Infused water
- Herbal tea
- Vegetable smoothies
Bottom Line
Now you might clearly understand whether a 3-year-old can drink decaf coffee. Since avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee is best, people tend to provide decaf coffee to their kids.
Before doing so, talk to your doctor; he will give the necessary advice by considering your kid’s health.
Compared to many other beverages, decaf coffee is a safe option for kids, but it is essential to know how much caffeine your child consumes.
Usually, the maximum caffeine content for a 3-year-old is 2.5 mg daily. Decaf coffee will be a safe beverage for kids if it is consumed moderately.
FAQs
Is It Safe to Provide Decaf Coffee to My Kid?
Yes, you can give decaf coffee to your kid, as it is a safe beverage. Please keep track of your kids’ daily caffeine consumption to ensure they are on a balanced diet.
Can My Child Have an Allergic Reaction to Decaf Coffee?
On most occasions, decaf coffee does not have many side effects.`
Sometimes, depending on the type of decaf coffee, there is the possibility of developing a coffee allergy.
If your child experiences unusual symptoms after drinking decaf coffee, it is better to consult a doctor.
How Much Decaf Coffee Can My 3-Year-Old Kid Drink?
Generally, it is best to avoid decaf coffee or any other caffeine beverage for kids under 12. The maximum caffeine content they can consume is 2.5 mg per day.
If your 3-year-old kid loves decaf coffee, giving them a sip or two is fine, but do not make it a part of their daily routine.
