Tea For Kids: Everything You Need To Know

Find Out Which Teas are Tea Time Approved

Tea is often touted for its many potential health benefits and relaxing capabilities. Chances are high that it is commonplace in your daily routine and that you enjoy it from time to time, but is tea safe to share with your children? Keep reading to learn more now.

Effects Of Caffeine On Kids

All true teas, those that are derived specifically from the Camellia Sinensis plant, contain caffeine. Caffeine, although safe in certain amounts for children, can have negative effects on your little ones. Here’s why.

• Caffeine is a stimulant, and as such, has the ability to cause jitters and disrupt sleep cycles.
• Caffeine is potentially habit-forming, and the last thing you want is a toddler experiencing withdrawal symptoms like headaches!
• Since toddlers are still growing and their organs (particularly their livers and kidneys) are not fully developed, it takes their bodies longer to process caffeine, making them more susceptible to caffeine’s potential effects than you are. Additionally, it is important to remember that caffeine affects each person differently, so your experience with it could be vastly different from your child’s.

Along with having caffeine, true teas can have high polyphenol levels. This is a great thing for you, as polyphenols have been linked to different potential health benefits like protecting your body from oxidative stress, but it may have negative effects on your kids. This is because certain polyphenols may potentially reduce the amount of iron that your child’s body can absorb. This increases the risk of iron deficiency which may leave your young ones feeling tired and with low energy levels.

The Art Of Tea For Kids

If you are thinking of introducing your tots to tea, we recommend waiting until they are at least 6 months old, and then offering them only herbal blends until you are comfortable with them consuming caffeine. Caffeine free blends, also known as herbal teas or tisanes, can be wonderful for your children in moderation. Here is a list of our recommendations:

• Our Soothe Tea is a fantastic tisane for all ages since it contains organic peppermint, chamomile, and fennel, all of which have been known to potentially ward off illnesses in addition to being relaxing and safe for kids.
• French Lemon Ginger Tea is another great caffeine free blend that will soothe your toddlers from the inside out with its medley of delicious and calming ingredients. Ginger has been known to be anti-inflammatory and to potentially aid in digestion, both of which are great for children of all ages. This blend is also a perfect choice for when you or your little ones are feeling under the weather.
• Caramelized Pear Tea is a great caffeine free tea that you can serve your kids in place of dessert! This delectable blend includes organic apple bits, creating a deliciously sweet treat without any added sugar.

Tea For Kids Best Practices

If you do decide to let your kids begin drinking tea, we recommend the following best practices:

• Use fewer tea leaves and brew a weak infusion. Tea gets stronger the more you use and longer it steeps, so you can minimize any potential undesired effects by using fewer leaves and keeping steep times short. Be sure to give it a taste before passing it along to your little ones, and if you feel that you’ve brewed it too strong, you can always dilute it with water.

• Avoid adding sweeteners as too much sugar consumption can lead to health problems, like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are not unnecessarily giving your children too much sugar.

  The good news is that tea tastes fantastic on its own and can be a great, high-antioxidant alternative to other sugary drinks on the market, like sodas and fruit juices. Additionally, since tea is over 98% water, offering your children tea in moderation can contribute to their daily hydration goals which is incredibly important for people of all ages!

• Pay close attention to the brands you buy from, their core values, and their packaging. Take a close look at the ingredients to ensure that there isn’t anything unfamiliar and that the blend is indeed caffeine-free. Additionally, seek out brands that do not use any microplastics in their teabags to ensure that you’re not unintentionally giving your toddler something harmful. Although most commercially found teabags on the market contain plastic, our eco-friendly pyramid sachets are completely biodegradable and never contain any microplastics, making them a great choice for both you and your little ones.
• Finally, we believe that it is always wise to consult your child’s healthcare professional before offering them any tea. And with that, we invite you to check out our Caffeine Free Collection to find the perfect blend for your family today!