Caffeine and young children

The short version

Water and plain milk are the drinks young children need (AAP). Caffeine isn’t one of them:

• US: the CDC says children under 2 should avoid caffeinated drinks such as soft drinks, tea, coffee and sports drinks, and that there’s no established safe limit of caffeine for young children. A 2019 expert panel backed by the AAP goes further: no caffeinated drinks for children aged 0 to 5 (Healthy Eating Research).
• UK: the NHS says tea and coffee are not suitable for babies or young children.
• Energy drinks: never. The FDA reports that medical experts, including the AAP, advise against energy drinks for children and teens.

This site follows the stricter line: no caffeine up to age 5. That’s why the tea page starts at 5 years.

Why caffeine and small children don’t mix

The AAP says caffeine in young children increases the risk of poor sleep, irritability, nervousness, headaches and trouble concentrating. The FDA says too much caffeine in children can also cause a faster heart rate, palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, stomach problems and dehydration.

Poison Control says medical experts generally agree that children under 2 shouldn’t be exposed to caffeine at all, and that limiting it until the teenage years is a good idea.

Where caffeine hides

The FDA gives these typical amounts for a 12 oz (355 ml) drink:

• Caffeinated soft drinks (such as cola): 23 to 83 mg
• Green tea: about 37 mg
• Black tea: about 71 mg
• Brewed coffee: 113 to 247 mg
• Energy drinks: 41 to 246 mg

Other sources parents miss:

• Decaf isn’t caffeine-free. Decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 mg per 8 oz cup, and decaf tea has some too (FDA).
• Iced tea, bottled tea and cola also contain added sugar, which US and UK advice says to avoid up to age 4. See salt and sugar for babies.
• Chocolate is a well-known source of caffeine (FDA). It also has added sugar, so the chocolate page starts at 4 years.
• Other products can have caffeine added: energy or protein bars, ice cream, chewing gum, dietary supplements and some over-the-counter medicines (FDA).
• Guarana, often added to energy drinks and teas, is a strong source of caffeine that may not be clearly labeled (Poison Control).

Energy drinks and energy shots

Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, added sugars and other stimulants. The CDC lists dehydration, heart problems (such as an irregular heartbeat), anxiety and trouble sleeping among their dangers. The AAP advises that even teenagers shouldn’t have them (CDC).

The UK Food Standards Agency says a can of energy drink can contain 80 to 200 mg of caffeine, about the same as 2 to 5 cans of cola, and an “energy shot” can hold up to 200 mg in a small 60 ml bottle. The FSA notes that even one small can may contain more caffeine than the daily amount considered safe for a 10-year-old (about 90 mg).

Sports drinks are a different product, but they’re sugary, and the AAP says sugary drinks, including sports drinks, are harmful to children’s health. See water for babies for what to offer instead.

Reading labels

• UK: drinks with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre must say “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women,” with the amount per 100 ml. Foods with caffeine added for its effect must say “Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women” (FSA).
• US: the Healthy Eating Research panel notes that caffeine content doesn’t have to be listed on nutrition labels, which makes it hard to tell how much a product has. Check the ingredients for caffeine, coffee, tea, guarana or cocoa.

If you’re breastfeeding, the FSA says up to 200 mg of caffeine a day (roughly two mugs of instant coffee) doesn’t raise safety concerns for a breastfed baby: see breastfeeding and solids.

Keep caffeine products out of reach

Caffeine pills, energy shots and pure caffeine powders or liquids are the real danger for small children. The FDA says just one teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine can contain as much caffeine as 28 cups of coffee, and that the gap between a safe amount and a toxic one is very small. Store them like medicines: in their original packaging, locked away, out of sight and reach (AAP). Put down your coffee, tea or energy drink where your child can’t get to it. Hot drinks can also scald: see the tea page.

If your child swallows caffeine

Signs of too much caffeine include shaky hands, a pounding or fast heart, a queasy stomach and vomiting (Poison Control). With strong products, the FDA warns of a dangerously fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and, rarely, death.

A sip or two of tea, coffee or cola may leave your child jittery or restless, or keep them awake. If you’re worried, or they seem unwell, get advice: Poison Control says that sometimes it’s fine to watch at home with expert guidance, but it’s best to let the specialists decide.

If your child swallows caffeine pills, an energy shot, an energy drink, or caffeine powder or liquid: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if they seem fine. The line is free, expert and confidential (AAP). If they’re unconscious, not breathing, struggling to breathe or having a seizure, call 911.call 999 or go to A&E (NHS). If you’re not sure whether what they swallowed is harmful, for example a sip of tea, call NHS 111.call your local emergency number (such as 112 in Europe or 000 in Australia) or your local poison information center right away. Don’t try to make your child sick: they could choke (NHS). Take the can, bottle or packet with you, and if they’ve been sick, keep some of the vomit to show the doctors (NHS). If your child is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR (NHS): see choking first aid for the steps.

Where US and UK advice differs

• Age. CDC: avoid caffeinated drinks under 2, with no established safe limit for young children. Healthy Eating Research (backed by the AAP): none from 0 to 5. NHS: tea and coffee aren’t suitable for babies or young children, with no age given. This site follows the stricter line: none up to 5.
• Labels. UK drinks over 150 mg per litre carry a “not recommended for children” warning with the amount. US labels don’t have to show the caffeine content.
• Energy drinks. The AAP advises against them for children and teens. In the UK, a voluntary industry code says energy drinks shouldn’t be promoted or marketed to under-16s (FSA).