Mum under fire for letting toddler drink coffee: 'Safety concerns'
By Naomi White|
A mum has been slammed online for her self-confessed "controversial opinions", which followers have labelled concerning.
The US mum-of-four, Mara, shared a TikTok video titled: "Things I do as a parent that others don't agree with". While some acts were harmless, such as letting her sons' wear dresses if they want, and playing in rainwater, others were more divisive.
This includes letting her toddlers play with marbles (a known choking hazard), letting her kids walk around barefoot in public (including in public bathrooms) and ?letting them eat sand.
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But it was her admission that she lets her two-year-old drink coffee that drew the most criticism.
"You're right... I don't agree with some?," said one. "Ok but many of those are safety concerns," agreed another.
"Some people are just dying to be different and for attention," snarked a third.
?In a follow-up video, Mara defended her stance on coffee, arguing that if adults could enjoy it, why should kids miss out?
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"I don't know why so many people are upset because I said Indy drinks coffee," Mara declared.
"I mean, don't you drink coffee every day? We went to the best place in town and got him this coconut latte. It's his favourite, plus they roast their own beans," she continued.
"And I mean, how can I tell him no to coffee, look how cute his little face is."
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However, her reply only invited more criticism.
"'Don't you drink coffee every day?' We aren't toddlers. It's still harmful to us, but we can take it easier since we are adults," one said.
"Maybe because caffeine is a stimulant drug and it's highly addictiveกญ?" added another.
?However, others agreed there was nothing wrong.
"I drank coffee as a kid also. it's a myth it's bad for kids," one argued.
According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), there are currently no recognised health-based guidance values for caffeine.
However, a review by an FSANZ expert in 2000 found that there was evidence of increased anxiety levels in children at doses of about 3mg of caffeine per kilogram of bodyweight per day.
For children aged five to 12, this equates to increased anxiety levels being experienced from a caffeine dose of 95 mg per day, which is approximately two cans of cola or a little over one serve of instant coffee.
Sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo said children and teens shouldn't drink coffee as it significantly reduced the amount of deep sleep they'd have each night.
"Research in academic journal Brain Sciences found that children, 10-16 years, who regularly consumed caffeine, had less deep sleep than those who abstained," Ms Arezzolo said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under the age of 12 consume absolutely no caffeine on a given day.
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