IS IT SAFE TO LET CHILDREN DRINK COFFEE?

[Addict?]

I wouldnt insist on it at all
any addiction is bad

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[MakoShark]

It seems strange, but many children as old as eight and older have a reverse affect from the caffeine. That is, it tends to moderate their excess energy and helps them regulate their impulses and behavior.

My wife and I have been "therapeutic" foster parents for some ten years. We are not psychologists or therapists of any kind. Just good parents. But we've been around a lot of Masters level psychologists and councilors who often believe it to be a good idea to try approaching hyperactive behaviors with caffeine to slow the kids down. We have seen it work.

We adopted a couple of our foster kids, and have one that is now five years old. She is very very active, to put it mildly. She loves to sip our coffee. We allow it, and do notice that it helps her regulate her body. Her OT therapist also encourages it.

So, don't be too quick to judge. There are many more invasive behavioral drugs being used out there. We're very much against them. If coffee works, I'm a believer.

Mako

[iampatches13]

I am a little more than 20 years older than my youngest sibling. For various reasons since they were very young (I am talking 2 years old, maybe a bit younger) they have been a bit on the over active side. We were told by our doctor that giving small amounts of coffee to children actually will calm them down rather than hype them up. I don't understand the chemistry behind this (and actually would appreciate any insight on it should anyone have the same experience) but it definitely worked. I was baffled and awed at such a thing as it completely contradicts what I would have thought.

On the stunting of the growth side, well we'll see in a few years for my sibling. I'm 6'2'' and I was drinking coffee at a pretty early age. It's my opinion that it has the stunt affect on some people and not others, depending on their biology.

[Davec]

We were told by our doctor that giving small amounts of coffee to children actually will calm them down rather than hype them up. I don't understand the chemistry behind this (and actually would appreciate any insight on it should anyone have the same experience) but it definitely worked. I was baffled and awed at such a thing as it completely contradicts what I would have thought.

Perhaps the effect of caffiene on the child is less than the supressive effect it might have on other endocrine systems within the body?

[iampatches13]

Since posting I have looked into it a little more. Apparently coffee is considered an herbal treatment for hyperactivity not only in children but adults as well. Hyperactivity treatments across the board are in perma debate mode so theres no good answer as to why it works apparently, other than speculation of course. Coffee however seems to have widespread support for treatment as it works a lot like the popular stimulant Ritalin.

So there we have it, stimulants in multiple forms being used to treat people who are over stimulated. Isn't science fun!

[MakoShark]

I'm feelig a little edgy ... Pass the Caffeine.

Mako

[Alun_evans]

Look, I think this is one of those debates that has raged on endlessly, with a huge ammount of medical opinion lining up with supporting evididence on either side of the battlefield. As a recently annoited father, I would probably err on the side of safety when it comes to my child, however in saying that in Indonesia where I live, Coffee is drunk by all beginning at a very early age. I think the stimulant effects (including the laxitive effects of robusta- which is the choice of caffeine here) somewhat balance out the general lack of fibre in the diet etc. My 8 month old is damn keen to try coffee, he for sure is hooked by the aroma of what ever I am drinking- but I will wait a while yet before I let him try coffee of any description.

[intently]

My 13-year-old daughter is spending every day this summer chugging down coffee at a local coffee house with her friends. After reading this thread I don''t know if I should be more worried or less. If I try to stop her it''ll bause a huge fight... sigh.

[sunshinecafe]

I don't think it's a bad thing to let children drink coffee. In Moderation. I certainly wouldn't be giving my 5 year old a double latte before he goes off to kindergarten though. I have been in the coffee business since my kids were 5 and 8 years old. They have been known to drink a cup of my good house blend with some hazelnut and cream in it before school. It has not stunted their growth as of yet! They are now 12 and 15.
My sister is a Registered Nurse. Her son had been on Ritalin for his ADD for years with horrible side effects. After nursing school she was so freaked out about what she learned about Ritalin that she tried giving him a strong cup of coffee every morning before school. Eventually it eliminated the need for the Ritalin. It seemed that the caffeine had a calming effect on him and did not have the side effects of the Ritalin.

COFFEE IS A WONDERFUL THING!

[u_lee06]

Hi. Cindy !
Thank's for your topic. I hope we have much more uniq topic a bout coffee. Cause i like it. Succes for you.