Parents sometimes consider chamomile tea when a baby is gassy, fussy, teething, having difficulty sleeping, or showing signs of colic. Because chamomile is an herb and is widely sold as tea, it may seem gentler than medicine.
However, “natural” does not automatically mean proven safe or appropriate for an infant.
Babies younger than six months generally need only breast milk or properly prepared infant formula unless their pediatrician gives different medical instructions. After complementary foods begin at around six months, breast milk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition through the first year. Small amounts of plain water can be introduced, but herbal tea is not necessary.
Medical notice: This article provides general educational information. It does not replace advice from your child’s pediatrician, pharmacist, registered dietitian, or another qualified healthcare professional. Do not use chamomile tea to treat an infant’s symptoms without professional guidance.
Can Babies Have Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile tea is not routinely recommended as a drink or home treatment for babies.
The answer depends partly on the baby’s age:
- A newborn should not be given chamomile tea.
- A baby younger than six months should generally receive only breast milk or infant formula unless a pediatrician recommends something else.
- A baby between six and twelve months still relies primarily on breast milk or formula. Plain water—not herbal tea—is the standard complementary drink.
- An older child may sometimes consume weak, unsweetened herbal tea as food, but parents should still check the ingredients and discuss medicinal use with a healthcare professional.
The NHS specifically advises that herbal drinks marketed for babies are generally unnecessary and may contain sugar. It recommends breast milk, infant formula, and age-appropriate water instead.
What Is Chamomile?
Chamomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants. German chamomile and Roman chamomile are among the types commonly used in teas, extracts, creams, and dietary supplements.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that chamomile is likely safe for most people in the amounts commonly found in foods and teas. It may also be safe for adults and children in certain medicinal amounts for short periods.
That general statement does not establish:
- a safe dose for newborns;
- an appropriate amount for every infant;
- a safe homemade preparation;
- effectiveness for infant colic;
- effectiveness as a sleep aid;
- safety for premature or medically vulnerable babies.
Infants should not be treated as smaller adults when using herbal products.
Can Chamomile Tea Treat Infant Colic?
There is not enough evidence to recommend homemade chamomile tea as a standard treatment for infant colic.
A few small studies have examined herbal preparations containing chamomile along with ingredients such as fennel, lemon balm, licorice, and vervain. Because those products contained multiple ingredients, the results do not show that chamomile alone was responsible for any improvement. They also do not establish a safe homemade recipe or infant dose.
Colic commonly begins during the first weeks of life and usually improves as the baby matures. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that colicky crying generally improves by three to four months, although it may occasionally continue longer.
A baby who cries frequently should be evaluated when:
- the crying pattern suddenly changes;
- the baby appears sick or in pain;
- feeding becomes difficult;
- vomiting is recurring or forceful;
- the baby is not gaining weight;
- there is blood in the stool;
- the baby is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake.
Do not assume every prolonged period of crying is colic.
Does Chamomile Tea Help Babies Sleep?
Chamomile is traditionally promoted as a calming herb, but there is no strong evidence that chamomile tea is an effective or necessary infant sleep treatment.
NCCIH reports that clinical trials have not provided conclusive evidence that chamomile improves insomnia. Research involving adults cannot be assumed to prove safety or effectiveness in infants.
Giving a baby tea before bed may also:
- replace breast milk or formula;
- increase nighttime urination;
- expose the baby to unnecessary ingredients;
- create a bottle-to-sleep habit;
- delay investigation of discomfort or illness affecting sleep.
A baby who has persistent difficulty sleeping may need feeding, sleep-environment, reflux, breathing, or other health concerns reviewed by a pediatrician.
Can Chamomile Help With Gas or Constipation?
Gas is common during infancy and is often related to swallowing air, bottle flow, crying, overfeeding, or normal digestive development.
Chamomile tea should not be used to diagnose or treat gas, reflux, or constipation without guidance. A baby who appears uncomfortable may need a review of:
- feeding frequency;
- feeding amount;
- bottle nipple flow;
- formula preparation;
- burping technique;
- stool consistency;
- growth and hydration.
Adding tea can reduce the amount of breast milk or formula the baby consumes without addressing the reason for the symptoms.
Constipation in babies is not determined only by how often they have a bowel movement. Stool texture, discomfort, diet, age, and feeding method also matter. Contact the pediatrician before using tea, juice, water, suppositories, or another home remedy for a young infant.
Chamomile Can Cause Allergic Reactions
Chamomile belongs to the same broad plant family as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.
People who are allergic to related plants may be more likely to react to chamomile. Reported reactions range from mild skin or digestive symptoms to severe allergic reactions.
Stop giving a product and seek medical advice if a child develops:
- hives;
- facial or lip swelling;
- repeated vomiting;
- coughing or wheezing;
- sudden unusual sleepiness;
- difficulty breathing.
Severe breathing difficulty, blue or gray coloring, facial swelling, or unresponsiveness requires emergency help.
Dry Herbal Tea May Carry Contamination Risks
Herbal tea is not sterile.
The CDC notes that dry products, including herbal teas and powdered infant formula, can sometimes be contaminated with Cronobacter. Infection is uncommon but can be severe in infants, especially newborns, premature babies, and babies with weakened immune systems.
Boiling or steeping a homemade tea does not make an unverified herbal product automatically suitable for an infant.
Avoid using:
- home-grown chamomile;
- flowers collected outdoors;
- loose herbs from an unidentified seller;
- products without complete ingredient labels;
- teas containing several herbs;
- adult “detox” or sleep blends;
- products past their use-by date.
A plant may also be incorrectly identified or contaminated with pesticides, soil, bacteria, mold, or another plant.
Do Not Add Honey to a Baby’s Tea
Honey should not be given to children younger than twelve months because it may contain spores that can cause infant botulism.
This includes honey added to:
- chamomile tea;
- water;
- formula;
- food;
- a pacifier.
The CDC advises against adding honey to any food or drink for a child younger than one year.
Sugar and sweeteners should also not be added. Sweetened drinks can displace nutritious feeds and contribute to unhealthy beverage preferences and tooth decay.
Hot Tea Can Cause Burns
Never give a baby a hot beverage.
Hot drinks can burn a baby’s mouth and throat or spill onto their skin. A drink that feels comfortably warm to an adult may still be too hot for an infant.
The NHS identifies scalding as a risk when hot drinks are around babies and young children.
Keep mugs, kettles, teapots, and electrical cords away from the edge of counters and tables.
Chamomile Products Are Not All the Same
A product labeled “chamomile” may contain more than chamomile.
It may also contain:
- fennel;
- licorice;
- peppermint;
- lemon balm;
- valerian;
- added vitamins;
- melatonin;
- sugar or sweeteners;
- artificial flavoring;
- other botanical extracts.
The safety of one ingredient does not establish the safety of the complete mixture.
Herbal products may also differ in plant species, concentration, preparation method, and quality control. Never use an adult sleep supplement, tincture, concentrated extract, essential oil, or herbal capsule for a baby.
Chamomile essential oil should not be added to a bottle or placed in a baby’s mouth.
What If a Pediatrician Recommends Chamomile?
A pediatrician who knows the baby’s age, health history, growth, medicines, and symptoms may occasionally recommend a particular product for a specific reason.
In that situation, ask for precise instructions covering:
- the exact product;
- the ingredient list;
- the recommended amount;
- how often it may be offered;
- how it should be prepared;
- how long it should be used;
- which reactions or symptoms to watch for;
- when it should be stopped.
Do not replace the recommended product with homemade tea, a stronger blend, an extract, or a product containing additional herbs.
Do not estimate an infant dose from an adult tea label.
What Can Parents Try for a Fussy Baby?
The appropriate response depends on why the baby is crying.
Basic steps may include:
- checking whether the baby is hungry;
- burping during and after feeding;
- checking the diaper;
- making sure the baby is not too warm or cold;
- reducing bright light and noise;
- gently rocking or holding the baby;
- reviewing feeding amount and bottle flow;
- keeping a simple record of feeding, crying, vomiting, stool, and sleep.
Never shake a baby. When crying becomes overwhelming, place the baby safely on their back in an empty crib and step away briefly while seeking support from another responsible adult.
Chamomile Tea Is Not an Oral Rehydration Treatment
Do not use chamomile tea to treat vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or dehydration.
Babies can lose fluid quickly. The appropriate fluid depends on the baby’s age, feeding method, symptoms, and medical condition. A pediatrician may recommend continued breast milk or formula, or an oral rehydration solution in particular circumstances.
Tea, plain water, juice, and homemade mixtures may not contain the correct balance of fluid, sugar, and electrolytes.
When to Contact the Pediatrician
Contact your baby’s healthcare provider when:
- crying is persistent or different from usual;
- the baby regularly refuses feeds;
- vomiting is recurring or forceful;
- the baby has diarrhea;
- stool or vomit contains blood;
- vomit is green;
- wet diapers become less frequent;
- the baby appears unusually sleepy;
- the abdomen appears swollen;
- symptoms continue or worsen;
- you are considering giving an herbal remedy.
A baby younger than three months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs prompt medical evaluation, even when there are no other obvious symptoms.
Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, blue or gray coloring, severe weakness, unresponsiveness, seizures, or signs that the baby is seriously unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a newborn have chamomile tea?
No. Newborns should generally receive breast milk or properly prepared infant formula unless a pediatrician gives different medical instructions.
Can a six-month-old have chamomile tea?
Chamomile tea is not a necessary complementary drink. At around six months, small amounts of plain water can be introduced while breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition. Discuss herbal products with the pediatrician first.
Is chamomile tea safe for colic?
Some small studies have examined multi-herb products, but they do not establish chamomile tea as a standard, proven treatment or provide a safe homemade infant dose. Have persistent crying evaluated rather than treating it independently.
Can chamomile tea help a baby sleep?
There is no conclusive evidence establishing chamomile tea as an effective infant sleep treatment. A baby with recurring sleep difficulties may need their feeding, routine, sleep environment, or health reviewed.
Can chamomile tea replace water?
No. For babies old enough to begin complementary drinks, plain water is the standard choice. Tea is not nutritionally equivalent to breast milk, formula, or water.
Can I add chamomile tea to formula?
No. Prepare infant formula only with the exact amount of water directed on its label. Do not replace the water with tea or add herbs to a formula bottle.
Can I give my baby chamomile tea for constipation?
Do not treat infant constipation with tea without speaking with the pediatrician. The appropriate response depends on the baby’s age, diet, feeding method, stool texture, growth, and other symptoms.
Is caffeine-free tea safe for babies?
The absence of caffeine does not prove that a drink is appropriate for an infant. Herbal ingredients may cause allergies, interact with medicines, contain contaminants, or replace needed nutrition.
The Bottom Line
Chamomile tea is not a necessary drink or routine home treatment for babies.
The safest general approach is:
- give babies younger than six months breast milk or infant formula unless medically advised otherwise;
- continue breast milk or formula as the main nutrition from six to twelve months;
- introduce plain water rather than herbal drinks when developmentally appropriate;
- do not use tea to treat colic, constipation, reflux, teething, poor sleep, vomiting, or dehydration;
- never add honey for a baby younger than twelve months;
- avoid homemade herbs, concentrated extracts, and multi-ingredient sleep products;
- discuss persistent symptoms with the pediatrician.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Foods and Drinks to Encourage
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Much and How Often to Feed
- NHS: Drinks and Cups for Babies and Young Children
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chamomile Safety
- PubMed: Herbal Tea Preparation Studied in Infantile Colic
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Colic Relief Tips for Parents
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chamomile and Sleep
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cronobacter Infection
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Fever and Your Baby
