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Parenting

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Original poster

Toddlers drinking tea

64 replies

springbabydays · 31/07/2014 07:50

Does anyone else give their toddlers tea and how old were they when you started? My 16 mo ds is very interested in my tea doesn't leave me alone and likes it when I give him a sip. If I made his own for him I'd probably give him decaf and no sugar, but it feels too grown up for some reason?? I'd still rather give him that than juice though I think.

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pootlebug · 31/07/2014 07:53

I give mine milky Rooibos tea if they ask for tea. It's naturally caffeine free and my eldest and youngest really like it. I can't remember when they first had it but probably around 15-16 months or so.

Livvylongpants · 31/07/2014 07:54

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stargirl1701 · 31/07/2014 07:55

The tannins in tea prevent mineral and vitamin absorption in the gut. Decaf makes no difference. It isn't recommended. How about hot milk or hot choc?

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Theyaremysunshine · 31/07/2014 07:55

You'd have to be careful choosing decaf as some use chemical processes to decaffeinate. Still has the tanins etc too.

Milk or water in this house.

EstellaSpitsEmOut · 31/07/2014 07:58

I let my DS, 2.2, have a few sips of mine, every now and again, as he loves it. I once made the mistake of giving him his own, very small, very milky cup. Took hours to get him to sleep!

Original poster

springbabydays · 31/07/2014 07:58

Thanks guys that's something I hadn't thought of. He usually only has milk or water. Perhaps it's the warm element he likes. Will try warm milk and see if I can drink my tea in peace next time!

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dashoflime · 31/07/2014 08:02

My Dad used to let me sip tea from the saucer and dip my biscuit in his cup

Lally112 · 31/07/2014 08:03

I give mine tea, nothing special, just ordinary tea. Particularly in winter with a teaspoonful of honey in it.

HygieneFreak · 31/07/2014 08:11

Tea and coffee stain teeth, dehydrate the bladder and are not really good for you.

I did abit of research into tea and coffee when i was having problems with UTIs and bad teeth staining.

I would never give it to a child. I no longer drink tea or coffee

Purplewithred · 31/07/2014 08:21

50+ years ago my mother observed that the (nasty rough) local children who were given tea in their bottles had good teeth whereas the naice middle class children who were given ribena didn't have good teeth. Many years later my dentist told me tea contains fluoride which in the pre-flouride-toothpaste days would have made a massive difference.

Just an anecdote by the way, but I wouldn't stress about giving him the odd drink of milky tea.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 31/07/2014 08:27

I make mine a cup of ovaltine instead. It looks like milky tea and she can't tell the difference. It makes her feel all grown up. But I'm not a big coffee drinker (no tea), and DH doesn't drink at all. So it averages about a cup a week only.

MB34 · 31/07/2014 08:29

I give DS (20 mo) tea in the mornings and have done for a good few months now. It's decaf and mostly 1 part tea to 2 or 3 parts milk in his own cup. He only has a few sips and it saves him drinking and spilling my tea which I like really really strong!

barleysugar · 31/07/2014 08:29

My dentist told me tea is very good for teeth! Actually helps wash the plaque away!

ouryve · 31/07/2014 08:36

I used to give DS1 very weak milky tea, very very occasionally when he was a bit under the weather. Perked him up no end. I would never have given him it regularly, though, even if I have been drinking it for as long as I can remember.

HSMMaCM · 31/07/2014 09:30

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1344892.stm

HSMMaCM · 31/07/2014 09:30

Link about tea and teeth

Picklepest · 31/07/2014 10:38

Mines always had tea. Just as I drink it. Pg tips type n milk. Since 12mths with eggs n soldiers. Now at 3 she likes it black with 1. She thinks it's cool. Hasn't noticed yet I barely put any sugar in it!

lighteningmcmama · 31/07/2014 10:44

What about peppermint tea? Mine love it, in the winter we put it in a beaker for the car :)

MrTumblesBavarianFanbase · 31/07/2014 10:46

Spring my 3 yo asks for tea and gets warm milk in a china mug - he's happy with that, the temp and the mug are key :)

Seriouslyffs · 31/07/2014 11:07

Peppermint tea or red bush ok-
milky proper tea- rather common

beccajoh · 31/07/2014 11:09

We've had success with milky hot water in a mug. She doesn't seem to notice it's not brown!

NigellasDealer · 31/07/2014 11:09

try camomile or redbush

missorinoco · 31/07/2014 11:11

My toddler liked to sip my tea, consequently all the DC periodically ask for a cup.
They get weak tea (one teabag between 3 cups, dunked in for about ten seconds) and lots of milk. They will suss me out soon enough.

Coconutty · 31/07/2014 11:12

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EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 31/07/2014 11:17

I never gave mine tea or coffee when they were young. Now they are 19 and 21, 19 yr-old never drinks coffee, will occasionally have a cup of tea if in a customer's house. 21-yr old will drink hot chocolate (even on a hot summer's day ) or will occasionally have a cappuccino at the end of a meal. They both prefer water, juice or milk. I also felt tea and coffee were "too grown up" when they were little, and it became a hard habit to break, I suppose. Now neither of them really choose it as an option.

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