Coffee culture has seeped into the lives of people of all ages, and it's not just adults who are drawn to the rich, invigorating beverage. Increasingly, teenagers and even middle schoolers are frequenting coffee shops, clutching oversized cups of iced coffee, frappes, and lattes.

But what does this growing trend mean for their health? Should children be drinking coffee, and if so, how much is safe? This article explores the effects of caffeine on children and provides guidance for parents on managing their kids' coffee consumption.

Is Coffee Really Bad for Kids?

Caffeine Content

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that children under 12 should avoid caffeine altogether, while the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) sets a limit of 100 milligrams (mg) per day for those aged 12 to 18 years. Yet, recent studies highlight a concerning trend: approximately 73% of children and adolescents consume caffeine daily, predominantly through coffee, soda, or energy drinks.

Fat and Added Sugar

A major concern is not just the caffeine content but also the high levels of added sugars and fats in many coffee drinks favored by kids. Beverages from coffee shops often contain sweetened syrups, whipped cream, and other high-calorie ingredients, contributing to unhealthy dietary patterns and potentially displacing healthier options like water.

Side Effects of Coffee in Kids

Children's bodies react differently to caffeine compared to adults. Because they are smaller and still developing, the side effects of caffeine can be more pronounced.

Frequent Urination and Dehydration

Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it can lead to increased urination and a higher risk of dehydration, which can be particularly concerning for children who are already at risk for dehydration.

Altered Mental State

Caffeine consumption can affect children's mental well-being, contributing to heightened feelings of stress, anxiety, and nervousness. Studies have shown a correlation between caffeine intake and increased anxiety levels in children, which can impact their overall quality of life.

Poor Sleep Patterns

Caffeine can disrupt sleep cycles, which is crucial for a child's growth and development. Interrupted sleep can affect both cognitive and physical growth, making it essential for children to maintain a consistent sleep routine.

Caffeine Dependency

Regular consumption of coffee can lead to dependency, with children experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and headaches if they miss their regular dose.

Upset Stomach or Nausea

The caffeine and acidity in coffee can cause gastrointestinal issues, including stomachaches and nausea. In severe cases, excessive caffeine intake may lead to overdose symptoms such as high blood pressure, racing heart, and even disorientation.

How Much Coffee Is OK for Kids?

While the AAP recommends avoiding caffeine for children, some parents may consider allowing limited amounts for teens. Following the AACAP's guidelines of no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day for teenagers can be a helpful benchmark. However, consulting with a pediatrician is advised, particularly if the child has underlying health conditions like anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, or heart problems.

Safer Ways for Kids To Drink Coffee

For parents concerned about the amount of caffeine their kids are consuming, there are safer alternatives:

- Decaffeinated coffee contains up to 15 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. It's a less risky choice if you decide to introduce coffee into your child's diet.

- Some coffee shop options, such as herbal teas or "babyccinos" (steamed milk without coffee), offer minimal to no caffeine. These can be suitable alternatives for younger children.

- Diluting coffee with milk can reduce its caffeine content and make it a less potent beverage for kids.

- Be mindful of added sugars and fats in coffee drinks. Opt for simple, less sugary options to avoid excess calorie intake.

The growing trend of coffee consumption among kids and teens presents both opportunities and challenges for parents. While coffee in moderation may not be harmful, the potential side effects and high caffeine content make it important to approach coffee consumption with caution.

Understanding the recommended limits and exploring safer alternatives can help manage your child's caffeine intake and promote better overall health.

It’s essential for parents to stay informed and make thoughtful decisions regarding their child's diet and lifestyle. With careful monitoring and moderation, you can help ensure that your child's coffee habits remain healthy and balanced.

Maternal vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can be effective against severe disease and hospitalization from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in babies, according to a large study.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, revealed that COVID vaccination during pregnancy can protect the children against hospitalization for COVID during the first six months of life.

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Amid continuing COVID cases, babies under six months old continue to have one of the highest rates of hospitalization — one in five — due to the COVID virus in the US, as per a 2024 study.

As currently no vaccines against COVID are available for neonates and babies, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends maternal vaccination during pregnancy.

Maternal COVID Vaccination Prevented Other Infections

The retrospective study included 146,031 infants born in Norway between March 2021 and December 2023. Of these, 37, 013 (25 percent) were exposed to COVID-19 vaccination in utero.

The findings showed that babies exposed to the vaccine before birth were no more likely to visit the hospital for overall infections (of any kind) than those whose mothers did not get vaccinated in pregnancy.

However, infants whose mothers were vaccinated were about half as likely to visit the hospital specifically for COVID in their first two months of life compared to babies not exposed to the vaccine in utero.

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Among 3 to 5-month-old babies, the risk of a hospital visit for COVID was 24 percent lower in those exposed to the vaccine, but the vaccine's protection against COVID wore off by the time infants were older than 6 months.

Importantly, the mothers' vaccine also prevented the risk of other infections in children.

"There is often an increased risk for a subsequent infection after a viral infection, such as an increased risk of pneumonia after influenza infection, so we wanted to study whether protection against COVID-19 could influence the risk of other infections as well," said lead author Dr. Helena Niemi Eide, from the University of Oslo in Norway, the NPR reported.

"But we found that COVID vaccination in pregnancy protected the infant against COVID and had no apparent effect on other infections," Eide added.

Maternal Vaccine Recommendation in the US

Last week, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reiterated its recommendation for COVID vaccination during pregnancy.

Despite changes in federal vaccine recommendations due to the US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance, the ACOG urged COVID vaccination for

• people who are pregnant,
• recently pregnant,
• considering pregnancy,
• lactating.

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"Accumulated safety data from millions of administered doses show no increased risk of adverse maternal, fetal, or neonatal outcomes associated with COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy,” the ACOG said.

When 36-year-old mom Angela Sanford, from Fort Mill, SC, went for an appointment for a Pap smear five years after she had her first child in 2008, her nurse midwife, who she has never seen before asked her a question she did not expect. "Who stitched you up after your first birth?"

Speaking to Healthline, Sanford shared that she just started crying when the nurse said, "This is not right." Sanford said that this was the first time she ever heard the term 'husband stitch'. Sanford was told that her stich was "too tight" by the hospitalist who managed her after her first delivery.

Also Read: US CDC Warns Of New Immune-Evasive COVID Variant In 23 Countries

“He gave you what some people call a husband stitch,” Sanford recalled the midwife telling her.

“I couldn’t connect in my mind why it would be called that. My midwife said, ‘They think that some men find it more pleasurable,’” she recalled. “My husband has been worried about me and fearful of hurting me. He would never have asked for this.”

A 'Husband Stich' - What Is It?

During vaginal delivery, a woman undergoes perineal tears or vaginal lacerations which means tears between the vaginal opening and anus. This causes pain, and requires stitches for grades two and higher. It also takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Women can experience from first to fourth degree tears.

Sometimes, a surgical incision is made in the perineum during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening, this is called an episiotomy. However, it is not medically necessary or a routine procedure, unless it is a case of emergency.

Stiches are required in such cases that dissolves on its own. However, a 'husband stitch', also known as "daddy stitch" is an unethical practice where an extra stitch is given during the repair process that 'tightens the vagina' to increase sexual pleasure for a male partner. While it is considered a medical malpractice, it is still done to women after vaginal delivery.

Many women face difficulty after the extra stich is given to them. In Sanford's case, she felt "excruciating" pain during sex afterwards.

Read: Romanticization And The Silent Dismissal Of Women’s Pain

When Objectifying Women's Bodies Is Made A Medical Practice

Stephanie Tillman, CNM, a certified nurse midwife at the University of Illinois at Chicago and blogger at The Feminist Midwife told Healthline: “The fact that there is even a practice called the husband stitch is a perfect example of the intersection of the objectification of women’s bodies and healthcare. As much as we try to remove the sexualization of women from appropriate obstetric care, of course the patriarchy is going to find its way in there."

Harkins, 37, said that she "kind of" laughed it off when an "old, crusty Army doctor" overstitched her so she could give her husband more pleasure. In many cases, doctors do it as a routine practice without even being told by anyone. “I couldn’t even process [it], but I kind of laughed, like what else do you do when someone says that? I had just had a baby. I didn’t think much about it because the whole birth experience was so traumatizing, but now that I think about it differently, the implications of that are just crazy.”

Episiotomy Is An Excuse For 'Husband Stitch'

Dr Robert Barbieri, chair of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, told the Huffington Post that doctors were taught in the 50s and 60s that "routine episiotomy was good for women".

“What they thought is that if they did a routine episiotomy, they’d have a chance to repair it and that during the repair, they could actually create a better perineum than if they hadn’t done it. The idea [was] that we could ‘tighten things up,’” explains doctor.

However, a 2005 systematic review in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no benefit to routine episiotomy use. A 2017 Cochrane review “could not identify any benefits of routine episiotomy for the baby or the mother.” In 2016, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended that clinicians “prevent and manage” delivery lacerations through strategies like massage and warm compresses rather than making cuts on the perineum. Yet, this practice still continues inside the labor rooms.