These have been around since I worked in a coffee shop almost fifteen years ago, except we called them “steamers.” I’m pretty sure that coffee shop didn’t invent them though, so they’ve probably been around since people have figured out that milk can be heated.
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I am sure you realize, but for whatever reason did not mention it in your post, that milk can be heated to a variety of temperatures, and does not necessarily have to be scalding hot.
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I am sure you also realize that these drinks are basically hot chocolates, without the chocolate. You know hot chocolate, right? A staple of childhood winters, with the ability to be slightly warmed, for children, or steamed really hot, for adults.

Ok… Not that I disagree about the general ridiculousness her, but a couple things:
First, when they say steamed milk, they are talking about the foamy stuff you put on top of drinks instead of whipped cream. It’s mostly air, and it’s NOT HOT. Caribou (smaller chain than Starbucks) has reindeer drinks: steamed milk with a flavor shot… Just for kids. The drinks are at a safe low temp and if you order them as an adult (which I do, because they are a yummy, slightly healthier alternative to hot chocolate) they will ask if you want them at grown up temperature.
Second: if you are asking a child to behave themselves in a coffee house for a half hour to hours while you socialize , or read, or do whatever it is you’re doing, a special kid “coffee” seems like a reasonable treat. And health wise, coffee may not be the best, but it’s considerably better than chew or cigarettes, and probably better than most of the sugary drinks we usually give kids, including 100% juice.

“but thanks anyway”

There’s no need to get snarky, particularly since Katethree was fairly reserved here. Your post repeatedly commens on the danger factor, and if you WERE aware, your writing doesn’t show it.

Also, he “being included” thing here clearly has NOTHING to do with being part of the “in” crowd, and everything to do with wanting to be like mom and dad. Which is, you know, normal. Whether you’re a hipster or a hippie.

Meredith, that was a pretty ridiculous tone to take with Katethree when she pointed out some glaringly obvious flaws with your blog post. If you are going to act like something that has been pretty standard in most suburbs for the better part of two decades is some new weird trend her response was the least you could expect.

I feel this is akin to kids having toy keys, toy phones, or anything they constantly see Mommy and Daddy using. It’s not an effort to ‘fit in,’ it’s a natural desire for children to mimic their parents. My family is Cuban, coffee is integral to our culture and I used to get cafe con leche (essentially a latte) in a bottle. It’s just sharing your culture. When my 9 month old is old enough, he will definitely be getting ‘babyccinos!’

“I was thanking Katethree for posting a comment.”
Seriously? Since when is “I get that, but thanks anyway” a genuine compliment???

My (hippie) mom was making these for me at home on the stove 30 years ago–she called them warm milk and honey. I agree the appeal of steamers for the toddler set is in wanting to be like mommy and daddy. I don’t see the need for the sarcastic tone of the article.

Babycinos are standard fare in Australia and have been for “yonks”- but even there some nutters would exclaim “coffee! Coffee? for your kids?”. As if any mother would purposely add caffeine to a toddler- unless she was about to pass the kid off to the MIL . If I go into S’bucks with my kids- there is a limited number of choices for them, they would love a mini hot choc that wasn’t riculously huge and overly sweet. Anyway babycinos are usually served in expresso cups- with handles!
We have lived here iin the US for almost 8 years now and I haven’t found a single coffee venue here (other than Hawaii) that had a clue what a babycino was- I would have thought it was the best way to get mothers to venture into a coffeeshop on a regular basis. Maybe I’ve been asking for the wrong thing all this time. At home they are often accompanied by a little treat- a marshmallow, an animal cracker, fairy bread or small cookie. Sometimes mum just needs to sit for 10 minutes whilst doing the shopping….much more easily accomplished if junior (not a baby!) enjoys the experience. It certainly has never been about keeping in with the cool kids! That’s a very weird take on the offering of a kid friendly beverage. I have more hate for feathers in the hair!

I’ve done this for my son- while I wouldn’t give him decaffeinated coffee in his drinks, warm milk like this would make them feel special and like their parents.
But as a treat only.

I’ve done this for my son- while I wouldn’t give him decaffeinated coffee in his drinks, warm milk like this would make them feel special and like their parents.
But as a treat only.
I never thought of almond milk, that would be a great add!

PS its not letting me post because its too short so I hope this sentence helps it post. And in other news I am craving a latte.

@nutterbutter Ask for a “steamer” at Starbucks.

Mmmm, warm milk with vanilla!

I live in South Africa, where we are normally waaaayyyyy behind on the trends. We have had babyccinos for years. Wonderful to know that we are ‘ahead’ of the curve.
I do have to say though, that I always take the precaution of making sure that the busy barrister has indeed made it luke warm…we have been served scalding milk once…..

I drank steamers as a little kid and I still do on occasion. Really nothing new here.