From the YummyYucky team, founded by Nancy Nash
Caffeine and Babies: Coffee, Tea, and Energy Drinks
Caffeine is not safe for babies. A baby's small body cannot handle it the way an adult can, so coffee, tea, cola, and especially energy drinks should be kept away from your baby entirely.
⛔ No coffee, tea, cola, or energy drinks; babies are extremely sensitive to caffeine.
Caffeine is not safe for babies.1 Because a baby is so small and clears caffeine far more slowly than an adult, the amount in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, and especially energy drinks hits them much harder, and it can cause a racing heart, jitteriness, and disrupted sleep. There is no safe serving size for infants. Keep all caffeinated drinks away from your baby, never add coffee or tea to a bottle, and if your baby ever ingests a caffeinated drink and seems agitated or has a fast heartbeat, contact your pediatrician or poison control right away.
Some foods have rules. YummyYucky remembers them for you. Track what your baby eats and the app flags foods like caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) the moment they come up, watches every new allergen for three days after the first taste, and keeps the whole record dated and pediatrician-ready.
Start tracking for free →- When to introduce
- Not safe during infancy; keep away
- Common allergen?
- No (not a common allergen)
- Texture
- Not applicable; do not serve
- Key nutrients
- None a baby needs
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and chocolate. It is not a food to introduce to a baby at any age during infancy, because a baby's body is far too small to process it safely. The same amount that gives an adult a mild lift can leave a baby jittery, wide awake, and with a racing heart. The safest approach is simple: keep caffeine out of your baby's reach and away from their food and drinks.
Prep School: how to prepare caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
🍴 Baby-led weaning
🥄 Purées
Is caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) safe? Choking & prep
Caffeine is not safe for babies, so the goal here is avoidance rather than preparation.1 Babies clear caffeine from their bodies much more slowly than adults, and because they weigh so little, even a small amount is a large dose for them. It can cause a fast or pounding heart, jitteriness and restlessness, an upset stomach, and disrupted sleep. Keep coffee, tea (including iced tea and green tea), cola and other caffeinated sodas, and especially energy drinks away from your baby. Energy drinks are the biggest concern because they pack very high caffeine levels along with other stimulants. Watch for hidden sources too: chocolate and cocoa contain caffeine, and some "kids" or sports drinks contain it as well. Never add coffee or tea to a bottle, and set hot cups of coffee and tea well out of reach, since spills are also a burn risk. If your baby ever gets into a caffeinated drink and seems agitated, is vomiting, or has a racing heart, call your pediatrician or poison control right away.
Nutrition
Caffeine provides no nutrition that a baby needs. It is a stimulant, not a source of energy in the way food is, and caffeinated drinks like soda and energy drinks are typically high in sugar and offer nothing beneficial for a growing baby. For hydration, babies under 12 months need breast milk or formula, with small amounts of water once they start solids. There is no infant benefit that would ever justify giving caffeine.
Goes well with
Water · Breast milk or formula · Whole milk (after 12 months)
Storage & freezing
This is not a food to store or serve for your baby, so there are no leftovers to keep. The practical storage step is keeping caffeinated drinks out of reach: store coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks where your baby cannot grab them, and clear away any cups or cans promptly once you are done.
More foods to explore
Related reading
- What to feed your baby first →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
Can babies have caffeine?
No. Caffeine is not safe for babies. Their small bodies process it slowly, so even a little can cause a racing heart, jitteriness, and disrupted sleep.
What if my baby accidentally drank some coffee or tea?
A tiny sip is unlikely to cause harm, but watch your baby closely. If they seem agitated, have a racing heart, or are vomiting, call your pediatrician or poison control right away.
Are energy drinks especially dangerous for babies?
Yes. Energy drinks carry very high caffeine levels plus other stimulants, which makes them the most dangerous caffeine source for a baby. Keep them completely out of reach.
Does chocolate have caffeine?
Yes, chocolate and cocoa contain small amounts of caffeine. It is one reason to limit chocolate for babies, along with the sugar it usually comes with.
Is decaf coffee or tea okay for a baby?
Decaf still contains a small amount of caffeine and offers nothing a baby needs, so it is best to skip it. Stick with breast milk or formula, plus water once solids begin.
Sources
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
Track it in YummyYucky
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Start tracking for freeLast updated September 2026. Next review December 2026. How we write these: built from current published guidance from the AAP, CDC, FDA/EPA, NIAID, WHO, and other pediatric and public-health authorities, with sources cited on the page. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these, and how we double-check the food advice.
This is general information, not medical advice, and is not individualized for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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