Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

For related content, visit our food content hub.

For related content, visit our food content hub.

Food/recipes

Do you let your toddler drink tea?

17 replies

FeelingLucky · 14/07/2009 21:35

If so, why?
Are there any health benefits?

OP posts:

Report

Yorky · 14/07/2009 22:03

If I am having a cup of tea (trying to limit myself to just first thing in morning, not doing well!) and he asks for tea I pour a little of mine into a cup for him.
There are worse things he could be drinking, he doesn't often ask and I don't give him much. I have no idea about health benefits or risks, so not sure why this sounds as if I am being quite defensive, but hey, its what we do

liath · 14/07/2009 22:09

Yes, they have a small cup once a week or so (age 4 and 2). I know it inhibits iron absorbtion but don't think that's an issue in small quantities. I never offer tea & only give them it when they ask. I drank tea most days as a child.

MiloMummy · 14/07/2009 22:11

My 18 month old drinks it. Like Yorky said, I give him a bit of mine - with loads extra milk. Normally decaff but not always. I don't see the harm. My 4 yr old asked for a coffee the other day though and I never drink the stuff so don't know where that came from.

Just remembered I always used to let DS1 have fruit teas which are supposed to have health benefits. Cammomile before bed I remember. Wonder why I haven't done that with DS2, must try.

Stinkyfeet · 14/07/2009 22:11

Sometimes, if he asks for some - I make it with my used teabag, very weak and very milky!

PrincessToadstool · 14/07/2009 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarthaFarquhar · 14/07/2009 22:15

Yes. 2yo DD has a beaker of redbush daily.

In my defence (why do I feel the need to justify this? WhY?) she rarely drinks water, I prefer not to give her artificially sweetened squash, and the sugar in the Rocks Organic Super Pious Cordial was not agreeing with her. I need to get some fluid into her otherwise we will have another UTI.

plimple · 14/07/2009 22:17

Yes. My teabag sits in my cup for as long as it takes to pour the water on, then goes into DDs for proportionally shorter time and then goes to DP to brew so he gets some tea with his tea. I like my tea with a whiff of tea and loads of milk - DP has made it before with just hot water and milk and I've not noticed!
I just do it because it's nice to have a cup of tea in the morning. I know the iron problem, but don't think there's enough tea in our tea to make a difference.

MrsBadger · 14/07/2009 22:17

Nope

in fact there are health risks as the tannins inhibit iron absorption
and tea still contains caffeine

admittedly no biggie if it's only a little now and then, but if they aren't asking why start?

plimple · 14/07/2009 22:24

My DD (2) has asked for coffee, but as I drink mine with coffee in it she is told a firm no!

FeelingLucky · 15/07/2009 08:33

Thanks everyone, it's just that I noticed that some of the toddlers we know have been offered tea and I wondered if my DD was missing out, so good to know about health risks.

OP posts:

AmazingBouncingFerret · 15/07/2009 08:37

My DS who is 2.6 has one every morning, admittedly a very weak, milky decaff one though!

MadEyeballsMoody · 15/07/2009 08:39

DD has a dribble if she asks but it's very rarely as she's still little. Another one here who grew up drinking tea.

TAFKAtheUrbanDryad · 15/07/2009 08:42

My ds (also 2.6) finishes the dregs in my cup sometimes (maybe once or twice a week) - I think it's less to do with liking tea - I drink mine very strong and not much sugar - and more to do with being like mummy!

Won't let him have coffee, although he's had swigs of both coke and wine (unintentionally on my part!) - luckily he didn't like the coke as he's a bit freaked out by fizz but he liked the wine and always makes a beeline when I'm having a bottle glass!

MrsTittleMouse · 15/07/2009 08:43

Hell no! Both my DDs have shown an interest, but they are fidgety and restless enough without caffeine.

MadEyeballsMoody · 15/07/2009 08:47

Funny isn't it. DD is a real independant i want it and I want it now type of child. But she will never touch my can of coke or tea cup because she knows they are mummy's drinks. Why doesn't that work with mummy's toast or chocolate?

TAFKAtheUrbanDryad · 15/07/2009 08:50

Has she burned herself on your teacup before? Ds did and has since left them alone, he asks for them nicely and if it's appropriate - and personally I don't think a few swigs of cold tea are going to do him that much damage, and I can't be arse with the faff of saying no - I let him. Hence why he doesn't get coffee. Although, from what Mrs Badger seems to be saying, coffee might be better for him, cause it doesn't have tannin?

Obviously the best thing is for them to only drink water, but ds is still bf-d so I use that to justify other shoddy parenting!

MadEyeballsMoody · 15/07/2009 09:07

No, but she has on the radiator so is familiar with the word 'hot' which we do say when we put the tea down. Damn, and I thought I was on the way to toddler taming

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.