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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To make my 7 year old coffee

64 replies

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 19:25

I heard that caffine has the opposite effect with children with austism/ ADHD.

My son has ADHD and after googling a bit it has conflicting advice.

Would you give a 7 year old coffee

OP posts:

Lilipaddle · 31/03/2013 19:33

Personally I'd be worried about the effect of the caffeine health wise to a child. But my ex-MIL gives her other GC coffee every morning he stays over (2-3 times a week) and he's 3, so far it's not done any apparent damage behavior wise.

What about decaffeinated or very weak coffee if you do want to?

thornrose · 31/03/2013 19:34

Where did you hear that out of interest?

zwischenzug · 31/03/2013 19:36

No. Your medical sources for this advice sound highly dubious. Consult a doctor.

girliefriend · 31/03/2013 19:38

Umm no its highly addictive apart from anything else.

TobyLerone · 31/03/2013 19:39

No. I would not give any 7 year old a caffeinated drink.

Original poster

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 19:40

From a good friend, who at the moment is my rock (not had any medical training ) i suspect she has watch a documentey about it so I googled it.

I am waiting for the bank hoilday weekend to be over so I can try and get an emergency appointment with his paediatrician as he behaviour is getting worse at a rapid rate.

OP posts:

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 31/03/2013 19:41

No, I wouldn't.

I don't think enough research/trials have been done for it to be determined whether it's a good or bad thing for adhd. If it was, then through coffee wouldn't be the best way anyway. Probably would be a pill.

The amount of coffee you'd need to give would be ridiculous, wouldn't it?

then there's the caffeine comedown. And the fact that you get addicted to the bloody stuff! Withdrawal headaches (speaking from experience!) and too much can make you anxious, etc.

Original poster

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 19:45

It seems like a bad idea then, DH has taken him out so I can get an hour rest from it all.

OP posts:

defineme · 31/03/2013 19:45

I can't see that a short experiment would hurt...I've seen a hell of a lot of 7 yr olds having a coke as a treat at a birthday party.I have also seen lots of 7 yr olds having hot chocolates.
As a parent of a child with asd, if I'd read anything like that affecting asd I'd do it.
In terms of highly addictive-you're in control so that'll be soon dealt with-caffeine withdrawal is headache and tiredness-not life threatening.
I woudn't consult a doctor as most gps have no clue about things like adhd and people give caffeine to kids in this country every day.

Lucyellensmum95 · 31/03/2013 19:46

A very quick google has told me that caffeine has some effects on the social inhibition of those with autism, this is due to its stimulant effects. Why are you considering this with a child who has ADHD?

Also, another report suggested that nicotine also has some beneficial effects in autism - so presuming you wouldnt expose your child to nicotine, i would be inclined to apply the same logic to caffeine.

There seems to be a lot of annecdotal (untested) evidence with this regarding autism - it certainly doesn't suggest an "opposite" effect, it is not going to be calming your DS down!

I would consider the issues with caffeine as a whole:

Caffine in excess can cause palpitations - i should imagine it wouldnt take a lot to be an OD at 7! It is a diuretic so could possibly have negative affects on the kidney - so in short, no i wouldnt be giving coffee to a seven year old. Especially as i know the effects it has on me sends me mental

zwischenzug · 31/03/2013 19:49

girliefriend, I disagree that caffeine is addictive, I used to drink way too much coffee, and although I would frequently have a coffee to alleviate the tiredness that came from not drinking it, I could easily have not had one, I'd just be too knackered to do anything. IME you don't have the compulsion to have a coffee (or other caffeine source) the same way a cigarette or food addict might. It's just that you feel like crap and are too tired to do anything if you don't have one.

I gave it up a while ago which wasn't difficult at all, although it took 1-2 weeks for the lethargy to dissipate.

Anyway I think we're agreed unless someone properly medically qualified says so, medicating a 7 year old with caffeine is a bad idea.

CocacolaMum · 31/03/2013 19:50

Would I give coffee to my kids? No probably not

I would be bloody tempted to experiment though if my child had autism and I had been told this. Yanbu to be tempted but as has been mentioned, there is a LOT of conflicting advice regarding this sort of thing x

thornrose · 31/03/2013 19:51

I know how it feels to get to the point where you will try anything. I have a 13 yo dd with AS and I've been at the end of my tether and its awful.
I really wouldn't go there right now though, without a bit more info.

Original poster

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 19:54

Thanks for replying to this thread, I think I will give the coffee idea a miss.

OP posts:

thornrose · 31/03/2013 20:00

McNew have you considered medication? I've seen it have great results with ADHD but I know it's a scary prospect.

Original poster

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 20:05

I have declined in the past because I was coping and didn't want to start using medication on DS.

Truth is now he is getting a lot older and a lot stronger and I am really struggling.

I haven't been on MN the past month or so because he needs to be watched 24/7.

OP posts:

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 31/03/2013 20:07

As a parent of two NT children I allow mine a bit of tea or coffee sometimes...they're 8 and 5...they have the last bit of mine now and then...I'm talking once a month. It's not THAT bad. But as for it having the opposite effect on some children I don't know.

NewPants have you got any respite?

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 31/03/2013 20:09

Here is a link to a thread about it from Wrong Planet...a site for people with ASD

here

thornrose · 31/03/2013 20:10

That's hard.
The problem is we "cope" but at what cost? To us and to our dc.
I hope you can get some support and if it needs to be medication then he is a good age to see real results.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/03/2013 20:11

I have a son with Asperger's/ADHD and at age 11, he needs less sleep than most adults. I do sympathise, but suggest that you ask the GP / paediatrician for advice rather than going down the caffeine route. Some children respond to melatonin, for example.

FredFredGeorge · 31/03/2013 20:13

A normal sized easter egg has pretty much the same caffeine in as a single espresso or mug of instant coffee. Not sure why one is seen as horrific to give a child, and the other normal?

Original poster

McNewPants2013 · 31/03/2013 20:13

I do get some respite when he is in school and my mil will have him when I really need a few hours and of course when DH can get time off work.

OP posts:

Annunziata · 31/03/2013 20:14

Of course a seven year old can have coffee!

I have no experience of ADHD so can't advise you there.

(ps. DH was given coffee from six months old. He's still alive)

thornrose · 31/03/2013 20:17

It's not just about a 7 yo having coffee though, and still being alive! It's about the effect the OP hopes it will have on her ds's behaviour which is under discussion.

ginmakesitallok · 31/03/2013 20:17

Yes you can give a 7 year old coffee.

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