My son is 3yrs old and LOVES coffee with alot of milk. Is he too young to drink?

Rachael - posted on 04/15/2013

I am amazed that this is even a conversation, why oh why would you put such a stimulant inside such a little body?

Lisa - posted on 01/28/2013

My daughter loves her chinno but its just frothed milk. There's no way I'd give a toddler caffeine.

Casey - posted on 07/20/2011

@Karissa, again, it is being an adult with adult rights and adult choices. Just because I love a coffee doesn't mean my child should have her own. It is an adults drink, same as wine, or beer, or energy drinks. I have these drinks knowing what they do, I don't expect my 6 year old or any younger kids to even have that choice yet. What is dangerous for a 6 year old is not dangerous for a thirty year old. This is why I can have Panadol and she has child paracetamol. And although coffee may not be dangerous as such, why give something to a child thats not made for child consumption?

Karissa - posted on 07/20/2011

Coffee is not that big of a deal. In heavy amount, obviously it could be bad. But don't we usually do that to ourselves anyways? My daughter is almost 2 and even though I haven't given her coffee in her own cup I do share some sips from my cup.
I don't like when people say that giving your child caffeine is bad for them. Each child is different. In the late 70's her father had severe ADHD when he was young and was given Ritalin when it was still a trial drug. And back then it wasn't used for everyone like it is now. Every night his mom would give him a small cup of black coffee and he would fall asleep.

Off topic a bit, but good to think about. If you feel that giving your child coffee is unsafe, dangerous, and bad for them, then why would you set an unsafe, dangerous, and bad example for them to see?

Linda - posted on 07/19/2011

I would not give my 5 yr old DS coffee, even if he liked the smell, which he dosen't. I just recently allowed him to drink pop, like sprite or noncaffine rootbeer, and those are even rare treats. I encouge juice, milk and water as his choices and we talk about healthly choices which he is making on his own now. He says that he dosen't want to get fat, where that comes from, I don't know but it is a good idea to promote good health.

Rachel - posted on 07/14/2011

Once in a great while I give my son a warm cup of milk with a touch of sugar and a splash of coffee to make it a little brownish. He feels grown up and he knows it's only a once in awhile treat. I think its fine.

Keneesha - posted on 07/13/2011

Now that you have him addicted, the best thing for both of you if you haven't already done so is to switch to healthier coffee. I now allow my 7yr old son to drink coffee because I can give him a tasty version that oxygenates instead of dehydrates the body and is not acidic. I myself became a more regular drinker because I no longer have to drink coffee with my sugar.

Keneesha - posted on 07/13/2011

Now that you have him addicted, the best thing for both of you if you haven't already done so is to switch to healthier coffee. I now allow my 7yr old son to drink coffee because I can give him a tasty version that oxygenates instead of dehydrates the body and is not acidic. I myself became a more regular drinker because I no longer have to drink coffee with my sugar.

Teresa - posted on 07/08/2011

Caffeine stresses the nervous system, and with children's nervous systems still maturing, ANY kind of caffeine is NOT good for them. I drink 2-3 cups a day, and I noticed recently one day, that I didn't get it, that later that day, I didn't get the 3:00pm low at work. I just coasted through. That let me know how jacked up my nervous system got and by the time the caffiene was gone I hit a wall. I've quit drinkning caffeine just for that reason. My son has ADHD and his caffeine is very limited. He loves Coca-Cola but does NOT get it every day. BTW decaf is not completely decaf.

Brittany - posted on 07/06/2011

my little girl is 3 and she has been dranking my mothers coffee sence she was 1 or so and se loves it and i do not think there is anything wrong with it and it dont give your kid add or adhd and i do not think it will make him have any problems later in life and my little girl only dranks it because my mother does and my mother never gives her much but she sleeps fine has a fine diet and one little thing is not going to mess up his whole life and some doctors say coffee is good for you so maybe if you are worried about the caffine in it just get him decf and just give it to him the way you have been

Casey - posted on 06/30/2011

I think the difference between a lollipop once a week and expresso every morning is rather huge. My daughter had nothing but milk and water till she was three, I don't even where the idea to give a child coffee would enter into a persons head. There are studies that red wine is good for you in moderation should I add that to my daughters diet?

Holly - posted on 06/30/2011

question, do you that are opposed to the coffee, are your children also not allowed to have candy or chocolate???chocolate has caffeine, anything can be addictive, there have been a lot of studies and they have not quite decided weather coffee is good or bad, and i dont think they will ever make a final decision,

Katrina - posted on 06/29/2011

if there's a lot of milk in it, I wouldn't worry. My daughter started drinking expresso w/my dad when she was 2. Its now a tradition w/her & Grandpa.

Stacee - posted on 06/28/2011

My babysitter gave my daughter coffee when she was really little and I threw a fit!!! This lady is from the mountains and believes a baby should eat from the table asap (I was unaware of this for quite some time while she was caring for my child) but in response to the coffee part- I insisted she stop and she started giving her decaf- which I also objected to- it has some caffeine in it as well! So, I guess the moral of this post is this- it's probably not going to do your child real harm but ultimately YOU should make the decision about what your small child eats or drinks! TELL THEM NO...and if you have a child you cannot tell NO- you have bigger problems than coffee. Good luck!

Casey - posted on 06/22/2011

OMG.

Holly - posted on 06/22/2011

my son loves coffee, im not worried about the caffeine cuz when he was in the nicu they gave him lots of caffeine to help him breathe

Victoria - posted on 06/18/2011

My mother starting my daughter on some coffee when she was an infant and now that she is four years old she aske for some but we put about half a cup or more as just milk than a quarter of the cup is coffee. I don't think it is a bad thing just as long as you limit the amount and frequency and make sure they brush their teeth good before going to bed.

Joy - posted on 06/18/2011

Oh yeah, 3 or 4 YEARS old. I was going by the OP, which, now that I look at it, was posted a year and a half ago lol Although, I do think it's a little nuts to be ok with letting someone spoon feed coffee to a 4 month old.....

Chatty - posted on 06/18/2011

Joy, did you mean 3 or 4 YEARS? Not MONTHS, right?

Joy - posted on 06/18/2011

My mom gave me coffee when I was very little, probably around 3 or 4. It was mostly warm milk, with a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of coffee. Did it harm me? No. But would I give my son coffee? HELLLLS NOOOOOO! That boy has ENOUGH energy to burn. I don't need to be giving him more. Plus, like everyone else has said, it's addictive, stains the teeth and just not good to introduce to someone so young, in my opinion.

Liz - posted on 06/18/2011

My father-in-law started letting my daughter sip coffee from a spoon when she was 4 mths old

wat

Chatty - posted on 06/18/2011

I'm honestly in disbelief. I cannot believe that some of you would give your young children coffee. IT'S CAFFEINE! IT'S ADDICTIVE!

Vette - posted on 06/15/2011

My father-in-law started letting my daughter sip coffee from a spoon when she was 4 mths old, and she is a healthy happy little girl. Ocassionaly she will ask for some coffee when I make it on Saturday mornings, I just water it down some and add creamer, I can't see it as any worse than her drinking soda as far as having the caffeine. So, I say as long as he is not drinking it as a substitute for milk, let him have his coffee!

Karen - posted on 03/16/2011

It's not going to hurt him, my 3 year old loves his coffee. He just gets a little bit to think he is drinking it and he is satisfied...If you don't want him having coffee, try hot chocolate. It's hot and has lots of milk and he will think it's his own special blend of coffee.

- - posted on 03/16/2011

I didn't have coffee until I was about 10 - and I didn't like it.
I don't think i'd be giving my son coffee at all, unless he obviously wants to try it when he's older or something.
Not only is it bad for them, but they don't even need it.
I don't get why a young child would be given coffee - no offence.

Lotte - posted on 03/11/2011

Why is it ok to give kids coffee? We need to set boundaries for our kids - coffee should not be given to a young child, not a whole cup to themselves. I find that ridiculous. I love coffee myself, so much that I consider it my morning religion, but I do NOT push my beliefs on my kids.

Jessica - posted on 01/13/2010

Coffee stunts growth and cause problems that young. Caffiene is addicting, not as bad as drugs but the brain grows to depend on it. I am fully against it for my son, but he is hyper enough so I don't dare. All in all thats up to you. My kids won't have coffee on a reg basis until they can drive, when their brain is fully developed.

Shelly - posted on 01/12/2010

Yes true but the level of the contents is higher in coffee. But you are right decaff that is loaded with milk is better! =)

Lauren - posted on 01/12/2010

for all of you who say caffeine is bad...give em chocolate....chocolate contains caffeine! You might be better off with decaf coffee that is loaded with milk.

Shelly - posted on 01/12/2010

I think coffee is too much for kids, its an adult beverage. I am amazed at parents who allow their children to drink coffee especially considering caffee content. How about warm milk with chocolate and make them believe its another type of coffee for kids. I would hate to see an already hyperactive kid on coffee, caffeiene is a stimulant folks.

Maureen - posted on 01/12/2010

I drank coffee in a sippy when i was very young. Lots of milk! Loved it then and love it now! No ADD or other health problems! My dd is 3 years old and loves it too!

Lauren - posted on 01/11/2010

Quoting Marsha:

My son is 3yrs old and LOVES coffee with alot of milk. Is he too young to drink?

My son just loves it but,I was young when I began drinking coffee also. He begs his grandmother(my mom) every morning now that its just a routine for him to drink. Hmm what to do?

Just give him decaf...that's what I do for my son and he loves it.

Alia - posted on 01/09/2010

yes is 2 young 2 drink coffee why would give him that lol

Lauren - posted on 01/05/2010

My cardiologist says caffeine is the WORST thing you can put into your body! I personally wouldn't give a child any form of caffeine no cokes and especially no coffee, but to each their own :)

Lyssa - posted on 01/05/2010

most of these comments are completly rude. You raise your child the way you want to. I raised my nephew for the first 3 years of his life and at about 1 1/2-2 years he started sneaking my cup of coffee and drinking it. A little bit of coffee is not going to hurt him. A little bit of caffiene is not going to hurt him. I recommend using mostly milk and a splash of coffee, but like i said your child. All these people are talking about how caffiene is so bad for children but then in return are saying they give they're kids chocolate milk.....hello chocolate is full of caffiene too! A little coffee is not going to hurt your child and if it makes him feel better and makes him feel grown up give it to him. Like i said i recommend milk with a splash of coffee, it's not going to stunt his growth, make him adhd, or anything like that. If it'll make you feel better try out the coffee flavored syrup in warm milk. But don't listen to half these people and their rude comments. Raise your son how you want to.

Emily - posted on 01/04/2010

I'm not sure if its a fact or a myth about it stunting a kids growth? My niece has loved coffee since she was 4 (now 14)and though she is kinda short, she is not at all adhd, in fact she's very patient and very smart ! If YOU are worried..... slip him some decaf !!! lol

Sherry - posted on 12/11/2009

Ask any pediatician and they will tell you to stop immediately!!!!!!!!!!!

Veronica - posted on 12/10/2009

it's not good but i no when i was young i always sip my mom's cause it was good but not a hold cut mite be to much caffeine for him at the age he his just my op

Evangelia - posted on 12/09/2009

caffeine is a drug, whether its legal or not it is.

Crystal - posted on 12/09/2009

I think its fine....the caffiene in coffee isn't any different than the caffiene in chocolate or soft drinks. My dad use to give us milk with a few teaspoons of coffee growing up...and I've done the same thing with my son. Infact, my son will mix a glass of milk, with some flavored creamer and a few teaspoons of coffee.

Amy - posted on 12/08/2009

I don't think it's a good idea to give that young of a child coffee. That much strong caffeine is like too much sugar. This is just my opinion, but, I think I would talk to his grandmother and as her to at least cut back significantly.

Suzy - posted on 12/08/2009

I say, you guys are nuts. my son is 2 and knows nothing else but milk, juice, and water. i will never give my children soda, i don't even drink soda. caffiene is bad for the nervous system. i believe if you give coffee and soda at a young age as of 2 and 3, they will have an addiction to it for the rest of their life and health will be in jeporady. Even if it's just "a lil bit" they will just want more of it later.

MELODY - posted on 12/07/2009

My son is like that too....been drinking coffee since he was a baby. He is 10 now and asks for coffee on the plane and loves Starbucks. I just limit him to 1 beverage a day and have it really watered down......if not i'm in for a long night.

Dina - posted on 12/07/2009

To answer your question yes he's too young to drink coffee. I'm sorry but there's no reason for children, especially young toddlers to be injesting caffeine in any form and that includes soft drinks (coke). Not only does it stunt the growth of a child but it can be highly addictive. There is absolutely NO health benefits associated with giving children coffee. Stick to milk. That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Elizabeth - posted on 11/28/2009

if you get concerned about the caffeine, give him some decaffeinated coffee, my little one loves tea . . . she does not get it very often because of the sugar( she only gets on cup of juice a day and we use crystal light to fill in the gaps when she is bored with water) but i buy decaffeinated tea so I don't even have to worry about that aspect of it :)

Carole Oakes - posted on 11/28/2009

Coffee in general isn't really healthy so why would anyone give it to a child? Jenny, your coca-coffee makes more sense. I just think kids are hyper enough as it is, even giving them caffeinated beverages like coke, isn't smart in my opinion. It's not a path I want my child to take. We have to care for our precious children b/c they can't do it for themselves. I want my son to have a healthy start in his life, and avoiding things I know isn't good for him is on my top priority list. But I am HIS mother and I am only responsible for him. And I realize this. :o)

Valerie - posted on 11/28/2009

Coffee at such a young age is definitely bad. Too much caffeine has been proven to stunt growth and slow other development. Don't allow it. Protect your son. Substitute something better for him (caffeine free) milk or juice. Sometimes it can be milk with a squirt of chocolate (to make it look brown) or hot chocolate (if it's the heat he likes). Chocolate milk can be warmed too just be ware chocolate has caffeine too, just not as much. I really felt this when I was pregnant. Even hot chocolate (the strong kind from the store) gave me a racing heartbeat and scared me. I didn't start drinking full drinks with caffeine again until after I quit nursing. He can still have a routine drinking together in the mornings. Maybe even in the same kind of cup just different drinks. : )

Jenny - posted on 11/25/2009

My daughter sees Daddy and I drink coffee every day, she has asked for it, wants to have what Mommy and Daddy have. Its just like everything else, she wants to grow up tooooo fast. We have never given her coffee, but we will give her what she calls "coca-coffee" on weekends or holidays. I think she understands that its not the same as what we drink, but she is happy with it. Its more sugar than we normally will let her have, but it usually is early in the day, so she can run it off and it makes her happy that she gets to be like us. Most of the time we make it with milk to at least get SOME healthy in it, but she is young enough that we dont need to worry about the fat in it.

Deborah - posted on 11/22/2009

My daughter loves coffe with french vanilla creamer. Her grandmother gives her a splash of coffee with a lot of creamer.

Carole Oakes - posted on 11/22/2009

Hi Marsha. I'd have personally never have started him on it at 3 years old regardless of how young you were. My son is only 6 months old but I can say for certain that when he is your son's age he'll only be drinking milk/chocolate milk, juice (100% fruit juice) and water. That's it. I thought starting coffee when I graduated college was too early but that's just me. I assume he's drinking regular caffeinated coffee? How does he react when he drinks it out of curiosity?