Let’s Talk About The Babycino
The concept of the babycino started in Australia many years ago. When my son was a toddler he enjoyed the left over froth of the coffee in his own little cup. Any mother knows that if you can keep your toddler quiet for a moment so you can enjoy your coffee, it’s a good thing. When they first became popular they were free, after all it was just the dregs at the bottom of the milk frother, no big deal. Then they became all the rage and cafe’s started charging up to a dollar for this little cup of froth. I’ve even seen them for as much as $2, adding chocolate, marshmallows, all kinds of things.
Let me qualify that there was no coffee in this wee cup of froth. It was all milk. To my knowledge there is still no coffee in a babycino if you order one in Australia. My child has grown out of the novelty.
To my utter shock, I read in the news this morning that the humble babycino has taken up residence in the U.S only something has gone radically wrong in the translation. Cafe’s in America are adding a small shot of espresso to the babycino. WHAT???
I try not to be preachy. No one likes to have health matters rammed down their neck but I am going to put that aside for a moment and say don’t give your kids coffee.
If you are serving toddlers or children an espresso coffee, even if it’s decaf, stop doing it. On a neurological level I could give you a long list on why this is a very bad thing to do. Don’t give your children coffee, don’t even give your young children tea. Don’t give them coke, don’t give them anything containing caffeine. Just don’t. the modern toddler’s diet is bad enough. Let’s not make it worse. There are studies that show an improvement in attention span and performance when small amounts of caffeine are giving to children, but the down side saw a lager increase in anxiety, sleep deprivation, stomach problems, high blood pressure and personality changes. It saw a decrease in iron absorption which in the long run is detrimental to concentration. This article went onto say that parents are giving their children a “babycino hit of coffee ” on the way to school to “get them through the day.” Oh my!
A babycino has no coffee in it. Zero. It’s the left over milk at the end of your latte or cappuccino before the coffee goes in.
Thank you for listening to my rant.
Posted on September 14, 2012, in Food, Health and tagged babycino, caffeine and children.. Bookmark the permalink. 55 Comments.
I'm a single mum to a beautiful little boy and we live in Sydney, Australia, where the water laps at our feet. I'm a physician, a would be writer, and I'm in love with my best friend.
Common sense! Where is it? Next thing we’ll be hearing is that it’s perfectly fine to have a red bull in one’s lunch box. Even better, serving up Jagerbomb’s at the canteen or after school. My oh my, what is the world coming to?
Common sense went the way of vegetables. I did hear something horrific on the news the other night. Mothers who put their daughters into beauty pageants give their kids red bull to give them a buzz before going on stage. I really should stop watching the news.
I’m baffled at a lot of the things I hear new parents (or grandparents—sorry, equal time) are giving their children and grandchildren. Why is it everyone is short-cutting their kids. Big No-No.
Perfect subject to draw out diverse discussion. Let’s hear it!
I agree, lets hear it. I’m baffled too and I wonder is this a “draw the line” issue. Are we less able to say no to our kids and are we more willing to put aside their welfare to be involved in the next fun thing?
I’d be surprised to hear of this happening in California. New York–not surprised.
The article didn’t give a specific area, but yes, I can see that being the case.
I am shocked I’m not familiar with this drink. :s
LOL, Not been ordering your babycino when out with the mother’s group?
I’ll ask my broista at Starbucks about it tomorrow.
Let me know.
Wise advice from a mother and a physician.
I can’t believe people would actually give coffee to their children.
What I find hard to process is that they are using it deliberately to give their child a pep me up.
I’m no expert, but I imagine that caffeine might speed up the connection of neurons in the developing brain, causing autism or ADHD later in life. That’s a guess.
Oh dear, I feel terrible now, when we were on our Greek holiday a couple of weeks ago, I let my kids have a few iced coffees from the poolside bar – I had one on one of the days, they tried a sip and really liked it (they were really yummy) so I let them have a few of their own! They never usually drink coffee. They are 13 and 10, so they’re not little kids as such, but still…can you forgive me Dr Kate?
I forgive you. I don’t think we need to be militant about it, but I know you’re not giving your kids a cappuccino every morning to get them through the day.
Phew!
Holy smoly! That is just well crazy?!
I’m starting to agree with the concept of licensing parents…perhaps at least a Cert 4 in parenting before they can have/raise children??
So sad to think of the health issues forced on society and our ever burdened healthcare system because of lazy or ignorant lifestyle choices…often ones learned by children thanks to their parents.
It is way crazy, right! A parenting course sounds like a great idea. Run right along side birthing classes.
I think a lot of this is consumerism. The health of people is second to making money but then it all comes to pay when those same people become ill.
I don’t understand the thinking that it is okay to make whatever choices you want with little regard for the health outcomes because it is expected that someone else will fix or look after you when you fall apart. It is life without consequences and it makes me crazy. I probably should confess that I am a nurse and see this attitude all the time in the public helathcare system.
It’s true, I see it too. They have no foresight into what will happen. It’s all about the now.
Is it just me, Kate or do you wonder what on earth has happened to some people’s common sense!? This is a very important, interesting and inspiring post – ooh, check out all of those ‘i”s!
I really wonder. Are we getting dumber as the world gets more complicated, or are we not keeping up. Saying no seems to be a concept that doesn’t exist.
I love your i’s, keep i’ing.
People give their kids coffee? That is beyond! Are they CRAZY? I might have to give it up too…suspected Meniere’s (but I don’t really think so…doesn’t sit right…) but off to see the neurologist…bit scary!
I’m really glad you’re having this checked out. I was worried about you. Something specific to Meniere’s is hearing loss that comes and goes along with pressure, so you feel like you do when you blow out under water. It would be very noticeable. My first thought was what the yellow wiggle- Greg- has ( he retired for awhile because of it) but I am very glad you’re geting some tests. Yes, neurologist are very scary, ( puts my scary face on,) but usually friendly, I promise. Let me know, I’ll be thinking about you.
I liked your rant – hope people take note
Thanks
It’s good to rant every now and then.
I totally agree – that’s crazy!
HI Amanda, nice to meet you.
When I was a kid, every once in a while my mom let me take a sip of her coffee. (She was a HUGE coffee drinker, consuming at least a pot every day.) I really never developed a liking for it until I was in my 20s. Maybe it was because she never used sugar which I would think a kid would need to actually like coffee. Now I drink coffee but without sugar and cream (except for the wonderful mocha lattes!). I am very surprised that kids like it.
Me too, so I think there must be a lot of sugar in it for them to palate the taste. Or is it a case of kids doing what they see adults doing.
I’m one of those grizzled longtime Coke drinkers. Been doing it since I was probably twelve. Switched to coffee around eighteen. Now everything makes sense.
LOL Why doesn’t that surprise me. There is no way you would give our toddler coffee.
Wow, I had not heard of this. Haven’t seen it cross any of my pediatric journals. Thanks for making me aware. Children most certainly do not need a shot of expresso to “get them through the day.” They need a full night’s sleep, healthy food, and playtime exercise. And plenty of hugs.
Lots and lots of hugs. There was a study done in 2006 that used a group of 7 to 10 year olds, giving various amounts and including a placebo group. The results were interesting in that concentration improved for the short term but over an extended period it began to decrease. The ability to absorb nutrients decreased. Imagine that in a growing brain? The same was seen in the kids that were given soda. The neurological outcome in that age group was shocking. The fact that kids drink twice the amount of caffeine based drinks we did 20 years ago is terrifying. Imagine starting them off when they are 3 – 5. There was a resent article in the APA by Johns Hopkins studying the psychological consequences and it was nightmare stuff. That was only based on soda. Imagine adding a shot of expresso to that.
It’s really sad, because some of the poor children in the Appalachian region of the US receive Mountain Dew in bottles. And these are toddlers!
Oh no. That makes me very sad.
What are parents thinking??? Clearly, they’re not. They’re probably overworked and under-rested themselves and simply can’t deal. Regardless, I am stunned. I thought I was stunned when I see 10 year old girls walking around the school playground in high heels and lipstick. I fully agree that caffeine is bad bad bad for growing kids. I am ashamed that some in our society don’t know better–this goes from the parents buying the stuff to the owners of the cafes who are selling it.
I think you’re onto something. Parent’s can’t deal with the pester power but how does a toddler know to pester for coffee?
haha, i love that – ‘pester power’
Do we now give them a glass of wine after school to help them relax? I never touched coffee until I was in graduate school, and I think I got through my childhood just fine without it.
This is just so wrong.
That’s so french. I think I had my first coffee when I first went to the US. I was in grad school too, and I loved it. I would have been in my 20′s. It’s not just coffee though. Kids are getting just as much caffeine in a can of coke.
Ha! I like JM’s comment… perhaps we should greet our kids off the bus with a glass of wine?!?!?! How bizarre. Please don’t think all of us in the U.S. are handing out espresso shots before the kids head off to the bus stop.
And as far as the coffee shops selling it… if no parents purchase the babycino, then the stores will stop selling it. Simple as that. Come on, parents!
Exactly. If no one orders it, they won’t sell it. Now where’s my wine??
Wow. Even beyond the very significant neurological issues, who in their “right mind” would do anything to further jack up the energy level of a toddler? Total insanity! Having said that, one of my twins (they’re 10 years old) enjoys iced coffee, and I occasionally make him a decaf at home
Can you imagine a toddler high on caffeine. They would be on the roof. It’s a nightmare no parents wants to start. A toddlers brain can become addicted to something within hours.
I don’t see anything wrong with giving a 10 year old an ice coffee every now and then. It’s like having a soda….they are for every now and then. The wee beastie calls it party food. Only for parties.
Ah yes, the special occasion treat — we love those here!
It’s ridiculous to add coffee to this drink! I’ve given my nieces and nephews this in Australia – but it has never contained coffee. What next? (I saw your comment about the red bull) – I’ve never understood why they hold these horrible pageants
Pageants…. They are a whole post on their own. Those made up babies make me feel ill.
Hideous!
Health concerns aside, giving a young child an espresso shot is just masochism for the parent.
Isn’t it. Anyone with a child knows you don’t want to make them more hyper.
I’ve seen a baby get wired on just a couple licks of a candy cane. I can’t imagine what espresso would do.
Okaaaaay….. I’m having a hard time computing this one. I live in USA, I know how ridiculous parents are with their so called “parenting” and how they just love anything to appease their kids so they don’t have to deal with them. Not that all American parents are like that but I’m seeing a lot of it and its scary.
I’ve never heard of a babycino before. Its sounds adorable – over in Australia. Sounds stupid the way its been done over here!
I can’t even put this into words. I love your rant! I think it would be totally cool if you did a post on why caffeine is bad for children, being that you’re an expert. Then I could refer all of my moronic friends to your post and not sound stupid when trying to explain it.
Daphne, I love the way you put it out there. I shall do that.
AWESOME! I can’t wait to read it!!!