Caffeine, often found in soft drinks, chocolate, energy drinks, coffee and tea, occurs naturally in certain types of plants or can be created synthetically. Caffeine is classified as a drug because of its stimulant effects on the central nervous system, reports the Nemours Foundation. Children experience more of the effects of this stimulant drug due to their small size. Caffeine may benefit your child in moderation, but can harm her if she consumes too much.
Immediate Effects
A child can feel the effects of caffeine consumption within 15 minutes of intake, and the caffeine stays in the body for about 12 hours, according to Akron Children's Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Caffeine consumption may cause your child to experience nervousness, stomach upset, headache, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and jitteriness. The exact effects of caffeine on your child depends on the frequency of consumption, portion size and tolerance level; some children may show increased alertness and an increased ability to concentrate with small intakes of caffeine, explains Lisa De Fazio, a masters level registered dietitian and media nutritionist based in Los Angeles, California.
Long-Term Effects
Excess consumption of caffeine may affect your child's health, growth and emotional well-being. Your child may experience tooth decay from caffeine sources if the majority of the drug comes from sugary sources such as chocolate, energy drinks and soft drinks. Children who drink 12 oz. or more of soft drinks each day are more likely to become obese, according to the Nemours Foundation. Excessive consumption of caffeine may even cause your child's body to excrete calcium and magnesium in his urine, which affects his body's ability to form strong bones and increases his chances of bone fractures, advises De Fazio. "The phosphoric acid in caffeinated sodas may also trigger acid reflux, which can lead to a variety of childhood diseases such as colds and ear infections," De Fazio continues.
Caffeine Sensitivity
Caffeine sensitivity refers to the caffeine tolerance level of your child. A child who consumes caffeine regularly may have a decreased sensitivity to the effects of caffeine. As your child's tolerance builds, he may become dependent on caffeine and experience irritability, lethargy, difficulty thinking, body aches and other withdrawal symptoms if he cannot have caffeine. De Fazio advises weaning your child off caffeine gradually to limit the effects of withdrawal. Try to replace caffeine food sources with other foods or drinks such as decaffeinated soft drinks, fruit-flavored water or a cookie. Better yet, continues De Fazio, try to reward your child with non-food rewards such as a small toy, sticker or special time with you.
Intake Limits
The United States does not set recommendations on the amount of caffeine children should consume. Canada, however, has set limits, stating that children ages 4 to 6 should consume less than 45 mg of caffeine a day, children ages 7 to 9 should consume less than 62.5 mg a day and children ages 10 to 12 should consume less than 85 mg per day. The amount of caffeine in the foods and drinks commonly consumed by kids include: 34 to 74 mg in 12 oz. of caffeinated soft drinks, 76 to 280 mg in 8 oz. of an energy drink, around 70 mg in 12 oz. of iced tea, 12 mg in 2 oz. of milk chocolate, 40 mg in 2 oz. of dark chocolate and 5 mg in an 8-oz. glass of chocolate milk.
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