Many nursing mothers question whether chamomile tea is safe while breastfeeding. Chamomile is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used in food and drinks and as a flavoring agent in foods. However, there is little in the way of scientific studies to indicate whether chamomile is safe or unsafe for breastfeeding mothers, hence the confusion.
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Typically, we recommend against teas and herbs that aren’t backed by science. However, there have been enough breastfeeding women who have consumed chamomile tea that we know it is safe. We can also determine its safety based on adjacent research that shows chamomile is baby friendly and safe for pregnant women. Below, we cover everything you need to know about enjoying a cup of chamomile tea while breastfeeding, including whether it will impact your milk supply.
Is it bad to drink chamomile tea while breastfeeding?
No, it is not bad to drink chamomile tea while breastfeeding. Instead, it’s considered good to enjoy a little bit of chamomile while you’re nursing to enjoy the many benefits of this tea.
Chamomile tea is considered a galactagogue, which helps increase breast milk production. One case study discovered this previous unexpected benefit of chamomile tea, and called on the scientific community to perform more research on using chamomile as a galactagogue. Outside of scientific research, thousands of women have used chamomile tea to stimulate milk production, allowing them to breastfeed their babies fully.
Although drinking chamomile tea while breastfeeding does stimulate milk production, that’s far from the only benefit of enjoying chamomile tea. Chamomile is proven to provide relief for anxiety and depression symptoms, something that many mothers deal with after giving birth. In more severe instances, this turns into Postpartum Depression. While you should always speak with your doctor about your mental health, drinking a little chamomile tea while breastfeeding helps.
Does chamomile make its way into breastmilk?
Traces of chamomile make their way into your breastmilk, but that is a net benefit. Chamomile is considered safe for breastfeeding babies and may help reduce symptoms of colic. In one study, 68 infants were given herbal tea that included chamomile. Over half of the babies given the tea no longer had colic symptoms with continued use. However, it’s important to note that chamomile is considered safe for six months and older babies.
Does chamomile tea help with breast milk?
Yes, chamomile tea does help with breast milk. If you’re searching for a tea that helps with breast milk, chamomile tea is the tea for you. Chamomile is a popular ingredient in lactation teas because it helps increase breast milk supply. Enjoy a cup of milk chamomile tea to make your tea for lactation. To make your milk chamomile tea, use milk instead of water. Then, make your tea as you usually would.
How much chamomile tea is safe while breastfeeding?
It’s generally considered safe to drink two eight-ounce cups of tea, including chamomile tea, daily while breastfeeding. Knowing how much chamomile tea is safe while breastfeeding your baby is essential to ensuring that you don’t overdo it.
Does chamomile tea affect the baby?
No studies have been performed to indicate whether chamomile makes it into breast milk to determine if chamomile tea affects a nursing baby. However, some sources assume that chamomile tea makes it into breast milk. Tea is absorbed by the intestine and makes its way throughout the body; therefore, it makes sense that chamomile tea also makes it into breast milk.
However, no studies indicate that it will harm the baby. In studies where babies were given herbal tea, which included chamomile, there were no adverse reactions to the herbal tea. Remember that this was tea given directly to the babies. It was not excreted in breast milk. When chamomile makes it into your breast milk, it’s such a low amount that it’s considered safe for your baby.
Does chamomile tea help colic babies?
Yes, studies indicate that chamomile tea helps colic babies. However, there is not an extensive amount of research to support this conclusively. Chamomile tea is considered safe for babies at least six months old and is a traditional home remedy for colic. In two studies, colic infants were given herbal tea that included chamomile. In both studies, at least half of the infants had reduced or no other symptoms.
Is chamomile tea good for gas?
Yes, chamomile tea is excellent for gas. In traditional medicine and herbal remedy circles, chamomile tea is used to soothe digestion problems. It helps ease digestive symptoms, such as gas and upset stomach, and it helps balance the acid in the gut to relieve symptoms of acid reflux. Drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea speeds up the digestive process helping to prevent bloating.
Can infants drink chamomile tea?
Yes, infants can drink chamomile tea and often consume small amounts of chamomile via breastmilk when their mothers drink it. However, it’s only considered safe in small quantities for infants at least six months old. The recommended dose is based on a study that tested the impact of chamomile tea on babies with colic. During the investigation, infants were given five ounces of herbal tea. Today, most experts recommend that five ounces of tea are safe for infants at least six months.
Can I mix chamomile tea with formula?
Yes, you can mix chamomile tea with formula. Ensure that your baby is at least six months old, which is the safe age to give your baby chamomile tea. Then, brew your tea. After that, use the tea in place of water when mixing up your baby’s bottle.
Is sleepytime tea safe for breastfeeding?
It is not recommended to drink sleepytime tea when breastfeeding due to the inclusion of lemongrass in the tea. Sleepytime tea is a herbal blend that helps encourage sleep. It contains chamomile, spearmint, Tilla flowers, lemongrass, rosebuds, hawthorn, and blackberry leaves. The delicious herbal blend is steeped as other herbal teas and drunk before bed to promote relaxation and a restful night’s sleep.
To determine if sleepytime tea is safe for breastfeeding moms, it’s essential to look at the individual ingredients. Chamomile is generally considered safe and is found to increase your breast milk supply. Spearmint tea is known for decreasing your milk supply, but a small amount of spearmint tea is usually regarded as safe for breastfeeding moms. Tilla flowers, Hawthorne, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds are also considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. It’s recommended not to use lemongrass while breastfeeding. There is little research to determine whether it’s unsafe, and lemongrass is often used to help lose weight. No one knows whether that will pass on to the baby via breast milk, and you don’t want your baby to lose weight.
Is chamomile the best tea for postpartum?
Yes, chamomile tea is one of the best teas to drink for postpartum problems. New mothers are bound to have a bit of anxiety, and chamomile tea helps relieve stress and depression. It promotes relaxation, making it easier for moms to get a little bit of sleep, too.
It’s essential to consult your doctor before drinking chamomile tea for your postpartum, though. Herbal teas sometimes interfere with certain medications, and your doctor may have more ideas about how to help you. Always speak with your doctor before taking anything, including herbal teas and over-the-counter medicines. Speak with your lactation expert if you’re breastfeeding.