Babies and young children can have the drink, but be aware of the right type of tea and the child’s age.

Tea is a powerful ally for many dads and moms when they want to calm the child or when the baby has colic and needs something to improve the symptoms. It is part of our popular culture to believe that tea helps to improve these scenarios.

What many parents do not know is that not all teas are free for infant consumption. Just like pasty foods; water, juices and teas are only authorized by pediatricians after the child’s sixth month of life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the baby’s sixth month of life. But after the first semester of life; teas, as well as water, can be introduced little by little into the baby’s diet.

The most popular teas that can be offered to children without danger are fennel, chamomile, lemon balm and mint. The most common way to prepare this drink with herbs is to infuse it in hot water for a few minutes. Strain and serve warm. There are no contraindications.

Some teas have a better effect for one type of nuisance:

  • Relieve colic: fennel or anise;
  • Assist in digestion: fennel or lemon balm;
  • Prevent the flu: lemon with ginger;
  • Relax: chamomile and mint;
  • Avoid ready-made teas or drinks that have caffeine, such as black tea or mate tea. The child may become more irritable and even change his sleep rate.

The ideal is to accustom the child to drink tea without sugar and sweeteners – in fact, it is not advisable to give any kind of sugary drink before the first year of life. It is also worth remembering that the consumption of honey, considered a more natural sweetener, is only allowed for children older than 1 year.

Ideally, teas should be consumed away from mealtime, so as not to take away your appetite, and without the addition of sweeteners. Still, it is worth consulting your child’s doctor to find out what is the recommended daily amount of the drink, according to his age.

Tips for making chamomile tea:

  • Boil the water
  • Put the tea
  • Remove after 5 minutes
  • Let it cool
  • Fill the cup, or bottle, with 1 quarter of tea and the rest of the water!

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