Is it ok for kids to drink tea?
By usemyname
@usemyname (640)
Philippines
July 13, 2012 5:34pm CST
It's a habit a mine to drink at least one cup of tea each day. My son (a five year old toddler) noticed this, and wanted to taste the drink himself. But I stubbornly refused because I'm contemplating that he's too young to drink tea. I'm afraid it could cause damage to his GIT and liver. My opinion has no basis but I'm just playing safe with my kid. It's better safe than sorry. I don't want to gamble my son's welfare. Do you think I made the right decision? Or is it ok for kids to drink it?
3 people like this
8 responses
@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
I think it's ok to give your son a cup. Just make sure it's not too strong, though. If it is, just dilute it with more hot water. Tea is a healthy drink and better option than giving children sodas. You don't need to worry so much that it might cause him any damage. In fact, tea is given to children having stomach ache. Depends on the problem, of course. ^_^
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
Thanks for your friendly comment, sharkfin.
Now, I can't wait to give him his first cup of tea. Speaking of stomach ache, does also it include LBM? I once had an upset stomach, but I after I drank a cup of tea, my tummy didn't give me any worries no more. Hopefully, it could work for my son as well.
Now, I can't wait to give him his first cup of tea. Speaking of stomach ache, does also it include LBM? I once had an upset stomach, but I after I drank a cup of tea, my tummy didn't give me any worries no more. Hopefully, it could work for my son as well.@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
I believe it does, usemyname. I remember when a cousin of my suffered LBM, my granny prepared him hot tea and he instantly felt better. I think most stomach concerns can be helped by drinking this wonderful drink.
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
15 Jul 12
My son is now 3 years old, and I still don't let him drink tea or coffee, as these drinks contain caffeine. If I am not mistaken, caffeine is not good for the brain development. Hence I stopped drinking tea and coffee during my pregnancy too. Many of my friends commented that I am too strict to my son, I just don't want to risk his health, as I think it's okay not to take tea at this young age. As you said, it's better to be safe than sorry.
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
Thanks for your opinion, kaka135! I never thought about the relationship of caffeine and brain development. I'll try to read more about this. Thanks for the useful information.
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
By the way, coffee is a big NO NO for my son! I'll give him tea if its harmless but coffee, forget it.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
I guess that is better than give him soft drinks of course. If you are drinking the traditional tea not the flavored ones then I guess that is safe. That is even safer than coffee as well. It is said that tea contains a lot of antioxidants that is healthy to your body.
I guess you can safely give this to your kid to get her out of her curiosity.
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
I'm drinking the traditional green, bitter tea. My son doesn't drink soda, so I guess I should give it to him as an alternative.
My son doesn't drink soda, so I guess I should give it to him as an alternative.
@CelticSoulSister (1640)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
15 Jul 12
I don't think it'll do any harm to give your son a cup of weak tea, say with plenty of milk in it to make it more palatable for him (that's if he likes milk). If he's not a milk lover, how about some lemon? Although in adult life I've never been a tea drinker simply because I prefer coffee, I was given weak/milky tea often as a child and it did me no harm at all. I think I was given my first cup of tea when I was aged about 3 which was 55 years ago, and I'm still here, alive & kicking.
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
Ok, I'll take your word for it since there's no better teacher than to experience it yourself.
By the way, my son is not that choosy when it comes to food and drinks. One time he even managed to eat a bowl of spicy soup where other kids his age would have otherwise stopped eating it.
@monkmano (585)
• Canada
14 Jul 12
absolutely you can give your kid tea! i would advise decaffeinated teas,
i used to have sleepy time tea (actually name not baby talk ;) ) at night the kids from down the street and their mom would come watch tgif (tv) at our house and have a cup of tea.
...and popcorn of course!
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
The one with bear in pajama emblem? Maybe I should try this with my son one time. TV, popcorn and tea! It does have a nice ring to it.
Maybe I should try this with my son one time. TV, popcorn and tea! It does have a nice ring to it.
@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
Whoa! Tell us more! Same here. It's the first time I heard someone who was bottled fed with cold tea. My dad told me his brother was bottle fed with tomato juice. That's another something. ^_^
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
Just wow! I think you're the first person I've heard to have been bottle fed with tea. Speaking of which, what advantage did you have over the other kids who were drinking milk intead? Let me guess, you've never been fat all your life, right? I believe there's something in tea that helps speed up metabolism.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
18 Jul 12
I think for a kid as young as 5 years old, milk and natural fruit juices are the only healthy beverages for them. Tea do contain caffeine so I don't really allow my kids to drink tea or coffee for that matter. I also don't allow them to drink any kind softdrinks or soda. You are right. Don't gamble on your son's welfare. It is better to explain to him why he should not drink tea yet and it is better if he won't see you drinking tea as well.
You are right. Don't gamble on your son's welfare. It is better to explain to him why he should not drink tea yet and it is better if he won't see you drinking tea as well.
