Can children have chamomile tea?

प्रश्न

विचार

Drafting concise advice on chamomile tea for children

I need to provide a concise answer, with age ranges and crucial precautions for giving chamomile tea to kids.

After 1 year, small amounts are generally okay. For infants under 6 months, AAP advises no tea. Between 6–12 months, water and milk are recommended, and any herbal tea should be limited to just a few sips. Citations will support these points.

Refining chamomile tea advice for children

I’m deciding on how to phrase antibiotic safety for infants. I think it’s best to say: "Avoid chamomile tea for infants under 1 year without pediatrician approval." For toddlers and older kids, small amounts are generally okay, around 1–2 oz occasionally, with a note on potential risks and always consulting a doctor.

Providing chamomile tea guidance for children

Given the limited evidence, I think it’s safest to avoid prescriptive dosing for chamomile tea. Instead, I’ll recommend limiting it to occasional small amounts (a few sips or 1/4 cup), not as a daily substitute for water or milk. I'll include precautions like using unsweetened tea, avoiding honey for infants, and noting allergy risks, sedation, and potential interactions with other medications.

Thought for 1m 18s

उत्तर

Short answer: yes—for kids past infancy, a little caffeine-free chamomile tea is generally okay. It’s not an essential drink (water and plain milk are the go-tos) and evidence for benefits like sleep/colic relief is limited. (HealthyChildren.org)

Avoid in infants. For babies, stick to breast milk/formula only; pediatric groups caution against herbal teas and supplements in infants because of dosing, contamination, and allergy risks. (Poison Control)

If you choose to offer chamomile to a toddler or older child:

Keep it occasional and unsweetened—don’t let it replace water or milk. (HealthyChildren.org)
Watch for allergies (it’s in the ragweed/daisy family). Stop and seek care for hives, swelling, trouble breathing, or vomiting. (NCCIH)
No honey before 12 months (botulism risk); after age 1, honey is fine in moderation. (HealthyChildren.org)
Be cautious if your child takes meds (e.g., blood thinners or sedatives)—chamomile can interact. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician. (NCCIH)

If you tell me your child’s age (and any allergies/meds), I can tailor this more precisely.