A lot of us rely on a morning cup of coffee or tea to get us up and out of bed, ready for the busy day ahead. Some of us like a drop of milk, some prefer cream, many of us add a teaspoon of sugar, and some enjoy a swirl of honey. Whatever your morning cuppa may be, most of us are drinking something containing caffeine, a mild stimulant that comes from the leaves, fruits, and seeds of plants. And did you know caffeine has been part of the human diet for five thousand years?!

When it comes to young adults, a moderate amount of caffeine (3 to 5 cups of coffee a day) does not appear to pose any threat and can help some people to overcome fatigue and remain mentally alert.

But what about our kids?

You may be thinking - My kids aren’t sitting with a newspaper and a coffee in the morning, or drinking an afternoon tea after lunch, so what does it matter?

But caffeine does in fact also appear in many soft drinks, and even some foods, so your child may in fact be consuming more than you realise.

Why is it important that we regulate our children’s caffeine intake?

There is no evidence to suggest that the levels of caffeine that are naturally found in foods are harmful to children or that they have a greater effect on them than adults, but when it appears in higher quantities, as with coffee and cola, caffeine could affect your preschooler's sleep pattern. And we know, as parents, that settling the kids down and getting them ready for and into bed can be difficult enough. So you probably don’t want to add sleep deprivation to the mix.

Remember, given that their bodies are smaller than ours, a healthy amount of caffeine for a child will not be the same as for an adult.

Canada has established a daily limit of 45 milligrams of caffeine a day for 4 to 6-year-olds, but most children will in fact consume much less - around 15 to 22 milligrams. Just to give you an idea of what 45 milligrams looks like, a cup of coffee or a bottle of cola is equal to about 40 grams of caffeine. So with this in mind, if your kids are looking for some flavour from their drink, it’s probably best that they avoid the cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites, and instead go for a delicious smoothie or a glass of flavoured milk.

It’s often thought that there is a link between caffeine and hyperactivity in children, but in actual fact, no studies have shown that caffeine causes unruly behaviour. However, excessive consumption has been known to cause what’s known as ‘coffee jitters’, a physical sensation of feeling a rush of energy. Given that caffeine isn’t stored in the body, the sensation likely won’t last very long. So if your child has managed to sneak a cheeky sip of your coffee whilst you’ve been reading this, and they’re now experiencing a sudden boost of energy, don’t worry, it’ll likely pass soon.

Can my child have caffeine?

Unii shares why you need to restrict their intake.