Do you remember the last time you had a cup of coffee? How you felt after a few sips? Well, think twice before offering a cup of coffee to a baby.
Coffee is a drink often consumed by adults. It contains caffeine, a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, making us feel more awake and alert. However, newborns, due to their undeveloped digestive and nervous systems, are unable to process caffeine as quickly as adults. For this reason, caffeine does not suit them at all and its dangerous effects can outweigh its potential benefits for newborns.
The effects of caffeine on babies can be divided into two categories: short-term and long-term. In the short term, caffeine can disturb babies’ sleep cycles, increase intestinal gas and cause vomiting. In addition, caffeine can also cause babies to become irritable and jittery, have increased heart rate and even have difficulty breathing.
In the long-term, caffeine consumption during infancy and early childhood can lead to a range of possible health issues. According to Dr. Rachel Hart, a specialist doctor at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, exposure to caffeine during this period could have a damaging effect on the development of the brain, including impairing the ability to concentrate and potentially leading to a decreased IQ.
What’s more, a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics discovered that babies who had coffee added to their bottle formula had a higher risk of developing obesity as toddlers. This risk was doubled if the coffee-bottle feeding was maintained until six months of age.
Let us not forget the effect of sugar on developing teeth and the increased risk of cavities in young children. Caffeinated beverages are often full of added sugar. Bacterial growth is more likely to be sustained if the baby drinks coffee sweetened with sugar, increasing their risk for tooth decay.
But worry not, parents. There are alternatives to coffee for babies that can still make them feel alert and attentive. Decaffeinated coffee, as well as herbal teas and filtered water can provide children with the safe stimulants they need without any side effects.
Spontaneous Movements
Infants do not have enough body mass or muscular strength to focus, so exercise is important for the development of their coordination. Such exercise helps the baby relearn their spontaneous movements, or the involuntary, momentum-driven movements they usually start out making in their first months of life.
Such spontaneous movements include shaking their head in circles, twisting their torso and other twitches, kicks and flailing. While reflexes and voluntary movement shape an infant’s earlier motor skills, spontaneous movements help them develop balance and proprioception.
These stimulate very important sensory centres in the brain: the cerebellum, responsible for coordination and balance, and the unconscious, primal parts of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure, satiety and territoriality.
The stimulation of these two very important areas of the brain is why babies should not and cannot be disciplined with rigid movement. On the contrary, they should be “instructed” with natural and instinctive movements.
Lack of Appetite
Another side-effect of giving infants coffee is that it can lead to a lack of appetite.Because caffeine is a stimulant, the first feeling it usually causes is that of the jitters and hyperactivity, which can eventually lead to the baby feeling nauseous and not wanting to eat.
Some other consequences that can result are that babies could get distracted more easily than usual, and will become irritable. In some cases, it could even lead to a feverish state, owing to the effects of caffeine.
Moreover, coffee can prevent the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to stunted growth. This is why it is essential to create a healthy and balanced diet for your baby. Coffee is not a suitable beverage for infants due to its high caffeine content, which could lead to the previously described side effects.
Sleeping Issues
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means that it can impede your baby’s ability to relax, making them stay up for longer and thus, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Whether a drink made of coffee or any other food with caffeine content, introducing it to your baby’s diet is a task that should be taken with extreme precaution – not only because of the possible consequences on the baby’s nutrition, but also because of how it reflects on their sleep cycles.
According to Dr. Jennifer Shu, a paediatrician, caffeinated beverages should be completely avoided during infancy, as it disturbs their sleep cycles which could lead to sleep deprivation and in the worst cases, mental health problems. This is why parents need to be aware of what beverages their babies are ingesting and make sure they’re conscious of any changes in behaviour that can be caused by caffeine.
Heart Health
As previously mentioned, caffeine is a stimulant that can speed up a baby’s heart rate and metabolism, leading to higher levels of alertness and restlessness. A study published in the Annals of Pediatrics found that caffeine has a greater physical effect on children than it does on adults and can result in the increases of their heart rate and glycated haemoglobin levels, which in turn can increase the risk of diabetes if maintained for long periods. In addition, this can increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases in later life.
This is why Dr. Amanda Lee, a paediatrician and nutritionist, highly advises against letting babies ingest coffee, as it not only has short term health effects, but can also lead to serious health concerns in the long run.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterised by painful sensations in the legs, that occurs when the child begins to rest. It is very similar to adult RLS, although it is much harder to diagnose in babies.
Since caffeine behaves as a stimulant, it may worsen this syndrome in babies, who have to be encouraged to move less frequently in order to prevent or modify its development. As a result, avoiding caffeinated beverages is important risk management.
It is also suggested that, as one of the main causes of RLS in children may be iron deficiency, adjusting the infant’s diet with sources such as fortified infant cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds can also help prevent this disorder.
Nutritional Density
Coffee is a popular drink for adults, it contains components with possible beneficial effects and others considered as harmful for our health. Caffeine is present in coffee, and it being a stimulant drug, its consumption must be restricted and monitored due to potential health risks.
Coffee does not contain any essential nutrients, so providing it to babies is a waste of time and resources. Besides, having coffee as part of their diet will decrease the intake of other foods and beverages that provide essential nutrients and energy for the necessary growth and development of an infant.
Babies should therefore not be given coffee and alternative beverages such as tea, decaffeinated coffee and water should be introduced instead. Furthermore, parents should get informed about the necessary nutrients babies need and make sure to provide them in the most natural way.
