Why You Should Never Give Tea or Coffee to a Child Under 10 — 3 Reasons

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video opens with a real case: parents came with the complaint that their child's weight is not increasing — the child is 3 years old and still weighs 8.5 kg. When the doctor asked what they feed the child from morning to night, the first answer was that they give the child tea and roti in the morning. Asked who advised the tea, the mother said she used to drink it, the child would see it and ask for it, so she started giving it — and now the child eats only tea and roti. The rule: Never give tea to children up to 10 years of age. There are three main reasons. Caffeine reduces appetite – tea or coffee contains a lot of caffeine, which reduces hunger. The child's appetite drops, the child does not eat, and the weight does not increase. Tannin blocks iron absorption – tea contains a chemical called tannin which reduces iron absorption. When iron becomes low in the child's body, the child's immunity becomes weak, there is a deficiency of blood, anaemia develops, and appetite also reduces. Tea is acidic – it damages children's teeth, and it also disturbs children's sleep. Never give tea or coffee to children below 10 years of age. If anyone is giving tea or coffee to a child, please stop. Relevant for: parents whose child's weight is not increasing or who has poor appetite; parents giving tea, coffee or chai-roti to a small child; parents asking at what age tea or coffee is safe for children; parents concerned about anaemia, low iron, weak immunity or blood deficiency in a child; parents whose child has disturbed sleep; and parents worried about tooth damage in young children. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician if your child has poor weight gain, low appetite, or suspected anaemia.