Giving Children Caffeine: What are you Crazy?!
previously published in SimplyKC magazine in December 2011 issue
by Stacey Hatton
PARENTING
Caffeine, which unfortunately is my middle name and comprises 58% of my blood fluid, may not be the healthiest choice for adults – but you can bet your bottom dollar it certainly is NOT for your child! If you think caffeine is found only in pick-me-up adult beverages, you would be mistaken. It lurks everywhere. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, which not only can be found in coffee and soda pop, but chocolate, cold medicines, diet pills and some pain relievers.
Caffeine is a Drug
The Nemours Foundation reports caffeine may be fine for adults, but can have ill health effects on kids, especially younger children. Some of these symptoms may be a jumpy or twitchy feeling, anxiety, or an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Nausea, headaches, depression, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating in school can also be related to children consuming caffeine. “The United States hasn’t developed guidelines for caffeine intake and kids, but Canadian guidelines recommend that preschoolers get no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine a day. That’s equivalent to the average amount of caffeine found in a 12-ounce (355-milliliter) can of soda or four 1.5-ounce (43-gram) milk chocolate bars,” states Nemours Foundation. Caffeine is labeled a stimulant, or drug, since it stimulates the central nervous system. The adrenalin rush for an adult is similar to what children experience. The problem is it takes quite a bit less caffeine for a child to feel these effects than adults.
Research Findings (Source: The Nemour Foundation)
- Children are 60% more likely to be obese if they drink one or more 12-ounce sweetened soft- drinks every day.
- Children who drink these caffeinated beverages do not get enough calcium from milk, which is necessary for healthy teeth and bones. (It can even decrease bone mass density, by interfering with the ability to absorb calcium correctly, eventually leading to osteoporosis.)
- Caffeine may lead to fibrocystic breasts, or worsen lumpy and painful breasts.
- Replacing water and milk with sweetened caffeinated drinks is also damaging to your child’s teeth. The high amount of sugar from these beverages is shocking and incredibly acidic, which erodes tooth enamel. This can lead to dental cavities (caries).
- Caffeine acts as a diuretic by eliminating excess water from the body via the kidneys. If too much caffeine is consumed, dehydration can occur.
- In regards to the wives tale of caffeine stunting your growth, it is a fallacy. There is no research to support this; however, I like to tell my kids that it does since I am 5 feet tall. Puts the fear in them!
- Normally caffeine will pass out of the body within a couple of hours; but if a child is sensitive to it, they could feel the stimulant up to 6 hours.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping caffeine abruptly, even with children or young adults, can cause the body to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. It is important to decrease the amount slowly so that the child’s body doesn’t miss the “drug” and have feelings of: tiredness, irritability, severe headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.
Replacing Caffeine
“Caffeine may have a negative effect on a child’s nutrition if caffeinated drinks replace healthy drinks such as milk. A child who consumes caffeine may also eat less, because caffeine reduces the appetite,” reports the National Institute of Health. Offering water, low-fat milk, and small quantities of 100% fruit juice are better substitutes for sugary, caffeinated drinks. Older children can have an occasional soda, but if sugary drinks were the only beverages available when they were younger, they probably will reach for it as a teen.
Finally, just because chocolate has trace amounts of caffeine in it, don’t insist your child pass on every hot fudge sundae. Moderation is always key for everything you put in your body! Just don’t pour yourself a cup of Joe and then fill up your kids’ sippy cups to give them their morning preschool boost. Kids have enough battles to fight throughout their lives. Please don’t get them started early on the caffeine rollercoaster!
