No, babies should not have English tea.
English tea, like other types of tea, contains caffeine and tannins, which are not suitable for infants.
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Caffeine: Even small amounts of caffeine can overstimulate a baby's developing nervous system. This can lead to:
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased heart rate
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Tannins: Tannins can interfere with a baby's ability to absorb iron from food and breast milk or formula. Iron is crucial for healthy growth and development, particularly brain development.
Instead of tea, babies should be given breast milk or formula as their primary source of nutrition for the first year of life. After six months, babies can have small amounts of water with meals.
Why Hot Drinks, in General, Are Unsuitable:
Beyond the specific components of tea, hot drinks, regardless of their ingredients, pose a risk of burning a baby's delicate mouth and esophagus.
In summary, avoid giving English tea, or any caffeinated beverage, to babies due to potential health risks.
