Coffee

Wait until a child is at least 4 years of age (and ideally even older) to regularly serve coffee, due to its high caffeine content. While sharing an occasional sip is generally not a cause for concern, caffeine can interfere with sleep, appetite, and nervous system regulation, and babies and toddlers are more susceptible to these side effects. Even decaffeinated coffee has some caffeine, so it’s best to wait on serving this regularly as well.

Coffee is brewed from roasted coffee beans, which are the seeds of a fruit native to northeastern Africa. From its origins there, coffee spread through the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, becoming deeply embedded in cultures across the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. From strong, rich Turkish coffee brewed in a cezve to flavored iced coffees and many many more preparations, coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide.

• Serve coffee alongside food rather than on an empty stomach to reduce the chance of jitteriness.

• Choose coffee beans with the most recent roast date to get the freshest and most flavorful coffee beans when shopping.

• If you want to experiment with different flavors in coffee but minimize added sugar, try adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or other warm spice.

No. Coffee presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though whole coffee beans do pose an increased choking risk. To reduce the risk, serve coffee in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of a child during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

No, but allergic reactions to coffee have been reported.^[1] Some flavorings added to coffee can include common allergens, such as tree nuts, so be sure to read labels carefully. Coffee may also cause reactions that can be mistaken for allergies, including digestive symptoms such as reflux or loose stools, often in relation to the coffee’s caffeine and tannin content.^[2][3]

No. Avoid sharing coffee with babies due to its high caffeine content. Babies and kids can be particularly sensitive to caffeine’s stimulant side effects, like reduced appetite, jitteriness, poor sleep, reflux, and more.^[4] For these reasons, it is important to avoid caffeine for babies, and to minimize caffeine intake for children.

Every pregnant person is different and you should consult with your doctor about guidance for your individual health and pregnancy. That said, 1-2 cups of coffee a day while pregnant is generally considered a safe amount of caffeine.^{[5] [6]} It is recommended to try and reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy when possible, and if you aren’t in the habit of drinking coffee, then it is not recommended to start while pregnant. Note that iron deficiency, which can make you feel tired, is quite common in pregnancy, so be sure to talk to your doctor for guidance if you find yourself craving coffee as a pick-me-up more often.

Take a deep breath and know that it is unlikely that your child drank enough coffee to be of concern. If you think your child drank a large amount of coffee and is showing signs of being overcaffeinated, such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, jerky movements, fast heart rate, changes in breathing, or other concerning symptoms, then reach out to your child’s doctor, urgent care, poison control, or emergency department for individualized guidance. In the meantime, keep the child well hydrated.

Yes. Coffee generally contains more caffeine than tea, though exact amounts vary by brewing method and serving size.

Recommendations on caffeine intake for children vary worldwide. In the United States, it is recommended to avoid caffeinated drinks until 12 years of age, while Canada offers guidance starting at 4 years of age, if desired.^{[7] [8]} Regardless of when you decide to introduce caffeinated drinks, avoid sharing soda, energy drinks, and other highly caffeinated drinks with babies and toddlers due to added sugars and in some cases, harmfully high levels of caffeine. 

Daily acceptable caffeine content for kids by age per Health Canada:^{[7] [8]}

• Ages 4-6: 45 mg (about ½ cup of coffee or 1 cup of black tea)

• Ages 7-9: ~63 mg (roughly 2/3 cup of coffee or about 1.5 cups of black tea)

• Ages 10-12: 85 mg (roughly 3/4 cup of coffee or about 1.75 cups of black tea)

Note: Caffeine consumption is entirely optional and not required nutritionally or for general health.