My DD (16m) always wants my tea

[newmums2016]

On a recent visit my DD was constantly grabbing at my nan's mug so my nan pretended to offer it to her to satisfy her curiosity, except she actually took a few sips! Since then whenever I'm having tea she screams the place down if I don't let her have a sip! I think she likes that it's a warm drink so I just wondered (apart from warm milk) what warm drinks can you give at this age? Would a really diluted hot chocolate be ok?? Is decaf tea safe for toddlers?

Decaf tea is not okay - it prevents nutrients from being absorbed into the body.

It may be hard, but just say no and make it clear that it is your drink.

Red bush tea?

She's 16 months say no. She'll soon learn not to scream about it if you ignore the tantrum or distract her.

I was brought up drinking tea!

Now we all drink decaf. I've never heard that it's bad...

Herbal and fruit teas are fine, things like chamomile or peppermint if she likes them. In some European countries these are normal children's drinks.

My lot have all had tea a few times a week from about 2yo.
Just normal tea but very weak with no sugar and loads of milk.

You could try warm milk or warm blackcurrant squash is nice.

Oops missed that you said warm milk in your op

I’ve given mine occasional tea from about 1. I use the bag to make my tea first and then reuse it for theirs (I heard that this gets rid of almost all of the caffeine) and make it very milky and they love it.

My DD has been drinking tea since she was about 2 - it's one of her favourite drinks and she loves to go to a nice cafe for tea and cake

We have decaf at home and no sugar. Just be mindful that tea does interfere with the absorption of iron, so with meals it's better to have a drink with vitamin C in, which helps the absorption.

We were brought up in the 70's and had tea in a bottle when we were really small - and we're not stunted or anything

Hang on, isn't this the Christmas topic? In which case I would suggest mulled wine

We had bottles of tea too!

I give my 18mo the odd mug of decaf tea. Like your DD he is always asking for mine (not decaf) so he has his own as a treat sometimes.

Hot squash is also popular with him - I think like me he prefers his drinks warm.

Roiboos is supposed to have amazing health benefits and is suitable for children.

I give my mum a 18 month old ‘Tea’ occasionally. Well it is really warm milk in her little espresso cup and saucer.

Meh can't see a few sips here and there doing much harm.

Camomile-that should discourage her.

My 3yo has decaf and a biscuit but I think we only started that in the last year. If it was her little brother (15mo) I might give him a few sips like your nan did but prob not a lot to himself. Not sure that warm squash is any different at that age right enough.

I second warm squash. Ribena warm is still a favourite of mine.

I have my ds manzanilla tea from a young age. Used to add some milk. I did it because it's good for colic and he suffered badly. It was recommended I did it.

Wasn't uk though!

My new kitten drank some of my tea last night.

Camomile

We do lemon tea (just wedge of lemon in hot water), redbush tea, herbal teas. I fucked up and gave him quite a bit of green tea until I realised it was not caffeine free whoops.

Warm almond milk or warm hazelnut milk. Put it in a mug then in her sippy cup. She will think it was an adult drink.

My son was brought up drinking very milky decaf tea out of a sippy cup...as a toddler it was the only way he would drink milk....he's now a 6 ft almost 16 year old so must have absorbed some nutrients......