Tea For Kids: Is It Safe For Them To Drink?

Tea is unsafe for kids due to caffeine; instead, try herbal teas as home remedies.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anuradha Bansal, MD Dr. Anuradha Bansal Dr. Anuradha BansalMD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pediatrics and NeonatologyExperience: 13 years
Written by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Edited by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Fact-checked by , M.Pharm, PhD Dr. Joyani Das M.Pharm, PhD Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma, Health and WellnessExperience: 3.5 years
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A Girl Drinking Tea

Image: iStock

Tea is believed to have several health benefits. However, it may not be safe for you to consider tea for kids. The tea we usually make contains caffeine and refined sugar, which are not recommended in excess amounts, especially for children. Plunge into this post as we tell you whether or not tea is safe for children, the correct age for introducing the beverage to them, its benefits, and possible adverse effects.

In This Article

Is It Safe For Children To Drink Tea? 

Ideally, tea is not recommended for children due to its natural caffeine content. According to Dr. Cidny Gellner of the University of Utah Health Sciences, “Drinking high amounts of sweetened caffeinated drinks can lead to cavities in children.”

Also, caffeine is diureticiA substance that enables the kidneys to produce more urine and get rid of the excess fluid from the body that can make your kids pee more frequently. (1)

You may replace caffeinated tea with herbal tea. However, make sure that the ingredients in the tea are suitable for your child. For instance, some herbs that suit one child may not suit some other.

What Is The Right Age For Children To Start Drinking Tea?

There are no studies that specify the age when children may start drinking tea. As long as tea consumption is moderate, and the caffeine limit is under control, there may not be significant risks.

However, it is good to know the caffeine limit for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics observes, ”Kids and teens should be careful when consuming caffeinated drinks. Adolescents between 12 and 18 age may take 100mg caffeine (around one or two cups of tea) in a day. But for children below 12 years of age, they have no said safe threshold (2).”

Children may drink one or two cups of tea after 12 years

Image: IStock

 

Before serving a cup of tea to your child, do consider the possible health benefits and side effects of tea for children.

Are There Any Benefits Of Tea For Children? 

An occasional cup of regular caffeinated tea may provide some short-term advantages to kids.

  • It can be relaxing
  • It may soothe body aches and tummy aches
  • It may help treat cough and cold

You may have to make tea the right way for the child to enjoy the above benefits.

protip_icon Quick fact
Herbal teas such as peppermint or chamomile tea can break up mucus and stimulate immunity to help soothe the throat in children (10).

Tips To Make A Cup Of Tea For Kids 

Make a cup of light tea for kids

Image: IStock

If you are planning to give your child an occasional cup of regular tea, here’s the way to do it.

  • Use fewer tea leaves to make a light tea.
  • You can also make light tea by steeping the tea or tea bag for two to four minutes. If the tea gets strong, add some water to it.
  • Serve lukewarm or chilled tea and not piping hot tea.
protip_icon Did you know?
A study highlights that adding skimmed or whole milk to the tea reduces the tea’s antioxidantiCompounds that help prevent or delay cellular damage from free radicals capacity. However, whole milk reduces antioxidants less than skimmed milk (16).

Possible Side Effects Of Tea For Children 

Excessive consumption of tea may result in the following side effects for children. 

  • Caffeine in tea may affect your child’s development, behavior, and sleep (3).
  • Interestingly, a research study conducted on this topic found that regular consumption of tea or coffee by children also increased the risk of type 1 diabetes in them (4). It is essential to monitor tea consumption in children because, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, in 2019, approximately 244,000 children and adolescents under 20 had type 1 diabetes.
  • Regular intake of caffeine could increase children’s preference for cold beverages and sweet foods. Such eating patterns could increase the risk of obesity (5).
  • Caffeine in excess could be responsible for fidgetiness, jitteriness, and nervousness in children (6).
  • Caffeine and sugar in tea may be associated with overweight issues in children (6).

    Caffeine and sugar in tea may cause kids to be overweight

    Image: IStock

  • Drinking sugar-sweetened tea in high amounts could be responsible for extra calories, which might result in heart diseases, tooth decay, and even type-2 diabetes.
  • Caffeine in tea inhibits the absorption of iron and calcium affecting their hemoglobin and bone strength
  • Excessive consumption of tea might lead to acidity issues also

Various Teas For Children 

Pediatrician Dr. Bidisha Sarkar says, “Herbal tea or tea made from herbs and fruits, is typically devoid of caffeine. It serves as a beneficial choice for children aged two and above, aiding in hydration and alleviating mild illness symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and congestion.” The following could be some other tea options you may try as home remedies for some common illnesses.

  1. Chamomile tea: A study noted that chamomile is used to treat fever, croupiA viral respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the upper airway, leading to breathing difficulty , and coliciPersistent crying in babies without any apparent reason in children (7). According to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences, chamomile tea may help in reducing anxiety. It is even known for its calming effect on the stomach (8). But if your child is allergic to marigolds, ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums, then avoid this tea (9).

Ginny Kemp, a mom of two and registered medical herbalist, uses chamomile tea for her children. She writes, “For conjunctivitis, cooled, filtered Chamomile tea can be used to bathe the eye throughout the day to soothe and fight infection. I used this for both of my babies (ⅰ).’’

  1. Ginger tea: A cup of ginger tea could be a good idea to soothe a child’s tummy. It might even help in reducing nausea (10).”. Dr. Sarkar adds, “Ginger tea is generally safe for children over the age of 2, provided it is prepared correctly and administered in moderation. It can be beneficial for various issues such as digestion, nausea, motion sickness, inflammation, and cough. However, caution should be exercised when giving ginger tea to children with bleeding disorders, diabetes, or heart problems. Additionally, children taking blood thinners or other medications that may interact with ginger should avoid consuming it.”

    Ginger tea can soothe a child’s tummy

    Image: Shutterstock

  2. Fennel tea: It helps in reducing the symptoms of colic. It might also help in getting rid of gas by relaxing the gastrointestinal tract (11).

You could consider the above alternatives or even consider not giving tea to the child at all. 

Healthy Alternatives To Tea For Children 

Homemade fruit juices will help kids stay hydrated

Image: Shutterstock

Instead of getting addicted to tea, children may consider healthy drinks such as freshly-prepared, homemade fruit juices, milk, yogurt drink, coconut water or lemon water or flavored water (made with natural ingredients and no added sugar). These sugar-free and caffeine-free drinks can help them stay hydrated and provide vital nutrients to the body.

protip_icon Quick tip
Make iced tea with lemon, cucumber, and mint to enjoy a healthy alternative to sweetened beverages and sodas (16).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is tea good for hyperactive children?

Tea with caffeine may make children more alert and energetic (12). Therefore, herbal teas, such as chamomile, lemongrass, and spearmint, work better for hyperactive children. Herbal teas are safer alternatives for relaxing and calming a child (13).

2. Can I give tea to my kid before bed?

No, anything that has caffeine is not suitable for children before bed. Ideally, you should avoid giving them caffeine-containing food six hours before bedtime (14).

3. Which is good for children: tea or coffee?

You should avoid giving excess caffeine to children because it may cause headaches, stomach upsets, or sleep trouble (12). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests young children avoid caffeine (15).

4. Can children consume sweet tea?

Dr. Sarkar opines, “Sweet tea is a variety of black tea that gets sweetened with sugar or other sweeteners. Black tea has caffeine, which is not advisable for children. Additionally, sweet tea has high sugar content, which can lead to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and various other health issues in children. Consequently, regular consumption of sweet tea by kids is not acceptable.”

Experts do not recommend tea for kids since sweetened and caffeinated drinks often cause dental cavities. Children should consume alternatives to caffeinated drinks, such as milk or other pediatric supplements. Experts also recommend keeping caffeine intake minimum for adolescents and adults. Caffeine in tea can cause developmental issues and sleep problems if consumed excessively. So consult your child’s doctor before giving them caffeinated drinks.

Infographic: Side Effects And Healthy Alternatives Of Tea For Children

Tea is a refreshing and go-to beverage for many. But the caffeine in tea may not be suitable for children’s health, and large quantities of it may even have detrimental effects. Here is a brief overview of the notable side effects of tea and a few tea alternatives for children.

things you should know about tea for children (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • It’s recommended that parents avoid giving tea to their children due to its caffeine content.
  • Children above 12 years old may have moderate amounts of tea.
  • Drinking tea in moderation may offer benefits such as relaxation and relief of sore throats and body aches.
  • Excessive consumption of tea can have undesirable effects on a child’s health, behavior, and sleep patterns.
Tea For Kids_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

ⅰ. Why Chamomile Is My Top Herb For Children. The Herb Clinic;
https://www.theherbclinic.co.uk/blog-pages/13/12/2016/chamomile-my-top-herb-for-children-babies

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Limit Kids’ Caffeine Intake To Preserve Their Health, Your Sanity; University of Utah (2014)
2. K. Joy; Parents, Perk Up to the Dangers of Caffeine for Teens; University of Michigan Health; (2017)
3. Healthy Drinks for Children; Healthy Family BC (2014)
4. S. M. Virtanen et al., Is children’s or parents’ coffee or tea consumption associated with the risk for type 1 diabetes mellitus in children? Childhood Diabetes in Finland Study Group; European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1994)
5. D. Liu et al., Dietary Patterns and Association with Obesityof Children Aged 6-17 Years in Medium and Small Cities in China: Findings from the CNHS 2010-2012; Nutrients (2019)
6. J. L. Temple, Caffeine Use in Children: What we know, what we have left to learn, and why we should worry; Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2009)
7. J. K. Srivastava et al., Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future Molecular Medicine Reports (2011)
8. J. E. Pentz, Healing Through Wholeness; The University of New Mexico Health Sciences (2019)
9. Chamomile; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
10. Dr. Sara Smith;Home Remedies for Sick Kids; Children’s Hospital of The King’s Doctor
11. Infantile colic; leehealth.org
12. Caffeine; KidsHealth
13. Paediatr Child Health; The use of alternative therapies in treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; (2002)
14. Food Before Bed: What to Offer Kids and When to Hold Back; Indiana University Health
15. Is Coffee Bad for Kids?; Johns Hopkins Medicine
16. Tea; Harvard T.H. Chan

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Dr. Anuradha Bansal
Dr. Anuradha BansalMD
Dr. Anuradha Bansal is a highly accomplished pediatrician and neonatologist with 13 years of professional experience. Presently, she is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at PIMS Jalandhar. She has done her MBBS and MD Pediatrics at GMCH, Chandigarh.

Read full bio of Dr. Anuradha Bansal
  • Dr. Bidisha Sarkar
    Dr. Bidisha SarkarMBBS, DNB Dr. Bidisha Sarkar is a pediatrician with nine years of experience. She did her graduation in Medicine from NRS Medical College, Kolkata and holds specialization in Pediatrics. Dr. Sarkar currently practices at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, India.
    Dr. Bidisha Sarkar is a pediatrician with nine years of experience. She did her graduation in Medicine from NRS Medical College, Kolkata and holds specialization in Pediatrics. Dr. Sarkar currently practices at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, India.
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

Read full bio of Rohit Garoo
Dr. Joyani Das
Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD
Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das