Chamomile tea is one of the most widely consumed herbal teas all over the world and has been used for thousands of years for its numerous health benefits. One common question often heard by parents though, is:
But is chamomile tea healthy for my baby?
In this post I am going to explain to you how giving some chamomile tea to a baby can be beneficial for the treatment of different conditions such as colic, troubled sleep and even teething.
So how can chamomile help your baby exactly?
Chamomile tea for Colic in babies
There is nothing unusual about a baby crying. All babies cry but, if your baby is crying consistently and for a prolonged period of time (maybe even hours) it most likely is a colicky baby. Unfortunately, there is not a clear medical explanation about colic in infants but extensive medical research has shown that endless crying can be associated to digestive issues such as excess stomach gas. Chamomile tea has been proven to soothe and relieve upset stomach and indigestion and provide restful sleep. If your baby has an upset or gassy tummy some chamomile tea would be one of the safest and most effective ways to treat it. It has been used for this purpose for generations and is safer that most over-the-counter medicines. Moreover, Chamomile has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Chamomile can help a baby sleep better
Chamomile is known for its mildly sedative effects. Our grandmothers have been using it as a natural sleep remedy for ages and ages. This miraculous herb has the ability to soothe and relax your muscles and offer you a better night’s sleep. Babies need sleep more than adults but often they have trouble sleeping. There are a number of concerns that may affect a baby’s sleep but luckily chamomile tea comes to your baby’s and your sanity’s rescue. Just a bit of lukewarm chamomile tea can help relax a comfortless baby and make it sleep soundly.
Chamomile helps with baby teething
At around 6 months of age babies start teething. Teething often comes with pain and discomfort though. Tender and swollen gums may make your baby not to happy. There are several over-the-counter teething jells available in the market today but the FDA warns against their safety. There is no need to worry though because there are home remedies available for teething babies. You can prepare some chamomile tea and soak a clean washcloth in it. Put your washcloth in the freezer and let it freeze for an hour or so. Give the washcloth to your baby to gnaw on. When babies are teething they like to feel pressure on their gums because it distracts them from feeling pain. The anti-bacterial and soothing properties of chamomile tea will help your baby calm by relieving inflamed gums. Also the frozen washcloth will have a numbing effect on the gums making pain more tolerable.
How to make chamomile tea for babies
- Bring a cup of water to a boil
- Add a teaspoon of chamomile flowers or use a a teabag.
- Strain the flowers/remove the teabag
- Let the tea cool down
- You can add just a pinch of sugar (optional)
- Put your tea into a baby bottle and give to the infant
Please note: The information contained in this post is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice and/or treatment by a licensed physician. This is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects. Even though though chamomile is relatively safe to use by anyone, you might want to consult your pediatrician before starting any therapy with it.