5 Negative effects experienced by toddlers if they drink coffee frequently

A deep research Journal of Human Lactation found that coffee consumption among toddlers began to increase. No half-hearted, the toddlers in the study even drank coffee frequently since they were 1 year old.

Coffee is indeed a delicious drink with many benefits. However, these benefits are aimed more at adults. Toddlers, especially babies who are two years old, need a drink that is more suitable for their growth and development.

So, what are the possible impacts if toddlers drink coffee frequently?

Health impact on toddlers who often drink coffee

Coffee is an antioxidant-rich drink with a variety of benefits. This drink is said to increase energy, help burn fat, provide a sense of happiness, and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

However, it's a different story if you give coffee to a toddler who is still growing and developing. Although not dangerous, drinking coffee can have the following effects:

1. Causes addiction

Coffee contains caffeine, and caffeine is a stimulant. A stimulant is a substance or compound that speeds up the transmission of signals between the brain and body. This is why drinking coffee can make you more alert, active, confident and energized.

Caffeine is also addictive or can trigger addiction. If a toddler drinks coffee frequently, he is more at risk for addiction when he gets older. Symptoms of caffeine addiction include headaches, lethargy, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

2. Make children hyperactive and have trouble sleeping

Caffeine does make your body more active and energized. However, if consumed by toddlers, caffeine can cause various side effects. Among them are hyperactive behavior, insomnia, changes in appetite and mood drastically, and anxiously.

This happens because toddlers have a lower caffeine tolerance than adults. You can consume 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per day without the side effects, but toddlers are usually only allowed to consume half of it.

3. Increases the risk of obesity

Coffee is actually low in calories, but this drink is now often sold with added syrup, cream, and caramel sauce. All three contain a lot of sugar and calories. If toddlers often drink coffee like this, their sugar and calorie intake is certainly very high.

Excess sugar intake is one of the factors causing obesity. In the same study, 2-year-old toddlers who drank coffee frequently had a 3 times greater risk of obesity when entering kindergarten.

4. Causes teeth and bone problems

Coffee is acidic, and acids can erode tooth enamel, causing cavities. Children in particular are more prone to dental problems because the enamel coating on their fixed teeth takes more time to harden.

Toddlers who often drink coffee are also at risk of losing calcium. The reason is, high amounts of caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption and trigger the removal of calcium from the body. If calcium absorption is impaired, bone mass can be reduced.

5. Exacerbate existing health problems

Some health problems for toddlers can get worse if they drink coffee too often. For example, coffee consumption can increase heart rate. Toddlers who have an abnormal heart rate may experience more severe symptoms.

Caffeine also doesn't always increase mood. In some people, this compound can actually worsen mood. For children who have anxiety disorders, decrease mood due to excessive coffee consumption can increase the anxiety he experiences.

Changing the drinking pattern of toddlers who often drink coffee

As long as your little one is still a toddler, give him a drink that is right for his age. Give him exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months, then continue until the age of two years while giving him food according to age stages.

As you get older, you can provide a variety of drinks so that he gets a variety of nutrients and gets to know more flavors. Here are some types of drinks you can provide:

• Water, especially whenever the child feels thirsty.
• Juice from 100% real fruit.
• Smoothies with yogurt, avoid added sugar.
• Infused water of fruit.
• Real coconut water without added sugar.
• Cow's milk, called milk full-fat with 2% fat.
• Almond milk, soy milk, and other vegetable milk.

Coffee may be a common drink for adults, but not for toddlers. Although drinking coffee is not dangerous, the caffeine, sugar and calorie content in these drinks have a big effect on their growth and development.

The high caffeine content in coffee can not only have an impact on the physical condition of toddlers, but also psychologically. So, let your little one grow up by trying a variety of drinks, but try to limit it from consuming coffee.

If your child is anxious to try drinking coffee, a safe time to give it is after 12 years of age. Even so, provided that the caffeine content does not exceed 100 milligrams per day. As much as possible, limit consumption so that your toddler doesn't drink coffee too often.

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