Tea is good for you and tastes good. But is tea the right thing for the baby? We tell you from when you can give it to your children, which types are allowed and which are not and what you should consider when buying and preparing it.
Tea for the baby: when can you give it?
Basically, a baby who is fully breastfed or is given appropriate bottle feeding does not need any additional liquid. That only changes when three meals a day have been replaced by porridge or other solid foods. This is usually the case from around the age of seven months.
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There is one exception: If a baby suffers from flatulence or colic , spoonfuls of fennel tea or caraway tea can be given in addition to breastfeeding / bottle.
Which types of tea are suitable for babies?
Not all types of tea can be drunk as a baby. We tell you which ones you can give your little one without hesitation.
Tea for the baby: fennel tea
Fennel tea helps with abdominal pain and flatulence , as the essential oils contained in the fennel seeds ensure that air bubbles in the stomach and intestines dissolve. Tip: Lightly press the seeds with boiling water before infusing them. Then they develop their effect particularly well. Since fennel tea tastes slightly sweet, most babies like to drink it.
Tea for the baby: chamomile tea
The active ingredients contained in chamomile also have a calming effect on the gastrointestinal area. Chamomile tea is also considered to be anti-inflammatory.
Tea for the baby: anise tea
In the case of gas and abdominal cramps, the baby can also be given aniseed tea to drink. Anise is also the tea of choice for coughs with stuck phlegm.
Tea for the baby: caraway tea
Caraway tea is also given to treat flatulence and stomach problems . The ingredient carvone is responsible for the beneficial effect. It is often offered in combination with fennel and aniseed .
Tea for the baby: fruit tea
Babies are also allowed to drink fruit tea . However, you should pay attention to a mild variety without acid.
Which teas are not suitable for babies?
Green tea, black tea and mate tea are not for babies because of their caffeine content. Flavored teas with artificial additives are also not suitable for the little ones. You should also keep your fingers off mint tea: it contains essential oils that are too strong.
Tea for the baby: what do you have to consider?
There are a few things to keep in mind when making tea for the baby. First things first: only ever give your child unsweetened tea. Make sure to also check the ingredients on the packaging of special baby teas that are offered in drug stores and supermarkets. If it contains sugar or another sweetener, such as maltodextrin, you should leave it on the shelf. When it comes to healing teas, babies shouldn’t drink it every day for long periods of time.
The following applies to the preparation: Please always pour boiling water onto the tea. If there are germs in the tap water, they will be killed by the high temperature. After the infusion time, the tea must be cooled to body temperature for the baby. If that is too slow for you, you can mix it with boiled, cold water .
Where to buy baby tea
Those who rely on the healing and beneficial effects of tea for babies should ideally buy loose tea in the pharmacy – if possible in organic quality. Because teas from the supermarket hardly contain any beneficial ingredients, as they are usually made from the whole plant.
