As 18-month-old baby dies after ‘drinking tea’, expert answers if regular milk tea safe for kids?

The news of a 1.5-year-old baby dying after consuming teawas difficult to fathom. Kids often loiter around us and pick the habits we do in front of them. Sipping on tea is one of them. Most probably many kids play with kitchen sets having small tea sets and we introduce them to tea without giving any thought. In many families, kids are given small amounts of tea when they ask for it.In the unfortunate case, which happened in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas, a 1.5-year-old boy died after consuming tea. As per the report, the child was with his maternal grandparents, and soon after he drank tea he stopped breathing.

“The boy was brought dead to the hospital, so we can’t comment on the cause of death,” hospital superintendent Dr. Preeti Malpani told TOI.
We spoke to Prachi Jain, HOD, Nutrition & Dietetics, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram on this common practice in households– is tea safe for kids?

“Tea leaves are a naturally occurring compound found in many plants and contain caffeine, a compound which stimulates brain & nervous system,” the expert says.
“There are no recommendations for the intake of tea ( caffeine) for kids at least below 12 years. Caffeine has both pros & cons but is not considered safe for kids aged 12 years & below because of the following reasons,” she says.

“Generally, kids don’t like the taste of plain milk. Instead of adding tea, mothers can add flavors like Tulsi, elaichi, cinnamon, ginger, powdered nuts, dates & raisins which can make milk more palatable & nutritious,” she adds.
Referring to the incident that happened in Madhya Pradesh, the expert says, “It is not evident or conclusive that the heartbreaking incident happened because of consuming tea. However, in toddlers, choking is one of the prime reasons for suffocation which can happen while improper swallowing of anything, liquid, semi-solid food etc.”