Tea For Toddlers: Safety, Benefits And Precautions

If you are a tea lover yourself, you might want to know if tea for toddlers is a safe choice. Tea is a popular warm or cold beverage that is available in many flavors. The most popular tea is the one made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. However, herbal teas or tisanes are available and made with different plant parts such as roots, leaves, flowers, or barks, which are often used as herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Some of these teas are used for therapeutic purposes, especially for treating or managing ailments such as colic and diarrhea. However, limited clinical evidence exists on the general safety and efficacy of teas for toddlers.

Read on as we share an overview of the possible benefits and side effects of tea for toddlers with some precautions to observe while offering it to them.

Is Tea Safe For Toddlers?

According to the NHS, tea (Camellia sinensis) isn’t suitable for babies and young children (1). Tea (green and black) contains caffeine, a psychostimulantⁱXA substance that reduces tiredness, enhances the mood, and helps keep an individual attentive and awake. that can cause irritability, nervousness, and poor sleep (2). Besides, tea contains tannic acid, which can interfere in the absorption of nutrients (iron and zinc), affecting a toddler’s long-term health (3) (4).

Herbal teas usually don’t contain caffeine and that is one of the primary reasons why they are popularly known for their calming properties. They may also impart therapeutic effects when used appropriately. However, limited research exists on their safety and efficacy for infants and young children. Thus, its toddler-friendly nature may only be confirmed after consulting with a pediatrician before feeding.

Common Herbs Used For Preparing Tea For Toddlers

Here are some of the common herbs used for preparing herbal teas for babies, toddlers, and young children.

1. Catnip: Catnip is a medicinal herb from the mint family. Its tea, juice, tincture, infusion, and poultice are commonly used to relieve headaches, hiccups, toothache, fever, cold, cough, hives, and infantile colicⁱXCrying episodes in infants for more than three hours a day, three days a week, and longer. . One can make catnip tea by steeping one ounce (28g) of catnip in one pint (473ml) of boiling water. Two to three teaspoons of this tea are considered sufficient for children (5).

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2. Chamomile: Chamomile is a well-known medicinal herb with two popular varieties — German and Roman chamomile. The US Food and Drug Administration categorizes it as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for use in food (6). Its use is prevalent in alternative and complementary medicine to treat colic, diarrhea, croupⁱXA respiratory infection characterized by breathing difficulties. , and fever in babies and toddlers (7). Furthermore, it also helps to improve sleep and relaxation and reduce muscle spasms.

3. Fennel: Fennel is an aromatic plant from the carrot family. Its leaves and seeds are used to make tea, which is often used to treat digestive issues, such as flatulenceⁱXReleasing gas from the digestive tract through the back passage (rectum). and gastric distentionⁱXAn enlargement of the stomach due to air or fluid buildup or other medical reasons. in infants (8). Depending on the intent of use, you can make fennel tea by steeping the crushed or chopped fennel leaves or seeds in boiling water.

4. Ginger: Ginger is a common kitchen ingredient known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties (9). Its use for babies and even adults is popular to support digestion and relieve nausea. You can use dried ginger powder or fresh ginger (chopped or juiced) to make ginger tea. However, be careful of its sharp taste, which several toddlers may not like. Avoid excess to avert heartburn and acidity.

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5. Lemon balm: Lemon balm is a lemon-flavored herb from the mint family. Its use is prevalent to add or boost the flavor of other teas. Its use with other herbs is known to treat colic and diarrhea in babies (10). Additionally, it is considered to treat indigestion and promote sleep.

6. Peppermint: Peppermint contains menthol, which induces a soothing effect on an upset stomach and may relieve constipation. Peppermint tea may also alleviate pain, flatulence, colic, nasal congestion, and cough. In vitro studies highlight its potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatoryⁱXProperty of a medication or chemical that helps reduce inflammation (swelling associated with pain) in the body. properties. However, more clinical studies are needed to ascertain its safety for babies and children.

7. Rooibos tea: The caffeine-free tea is packed with antioxidantsⁱXMan-made or natural chemicals that protect the cells from oxidative stress and damage. that help fight free radicals, which lead to ill-health and cancers. It is suitable for children from six months but shouldn’t replace milk.

In addition to herbal teas, some people may prefer drinking fruit-infused water such as hot lemon water for improved digestion and hydration. However, consult with your pediatrician before including it in your toddler’s diet.

Are There Any Benefits Of Herbal Tea For Toddlers?

When used under pediatric guidance, herbal teas may treat and manage some ailments in babies and toddlers. For instance, chamomile tea’s use is prevalent in complementary and alternative medicine to alleviate colic and diarrhea in infants and toddlers (11). Similarly, herbal tea use is also believed to relieve cold and cough, promote digestion, and enhance sleep. Consult an expert before using herbal teas for toddlers as their use needs caution.

What Are The Side Effects Of Herbal Tea For Toddlers?

Herbal teas have potential side effects that parents should be aware of before serving them to babies and toddlers.

• Allergy: A toddler could be allergic to a herb or herbs present in a herbal tea. Some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction are skin rash (hives), itching, tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the face, lips, throat, and tongue. In rare cases, herbal tea may lead to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxisⁱXAn emergency condition caused due to severe allergic reaction to a specific chemical, food, or disease. .

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• Cross-reactivity: Cross-reactivity with herbs is also possible. If your toddler is allergic to any food or substance, check with your doctor if the herbal tea can cross-react and cause allergic reactions. For instance, infants allergic to plants in the Apiaceae family, such as carrot, coriander, cumin, and parsley, could also be allergic to fennel tea (12).

• Cross-interaction: Herbs contain active ingredients that may interact with drugs and dietary supplements. If your toddler is on a medication or consumes any supplement, consult a pediatrician before serving them herbal tea.

Precautions To Take While Using Herbal Tea For Toddlers

Observing precautionary measures could ensure the toddler’s safety when using herbal tea for specific purposes.

1. Consult an expert before using herbal tea for toddlers. Herbal teas are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), meaning their safety and efficacy can’t be guaranteed.

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2. Communicate the intent of use to the expert. After considering their age and overall health, it will help them advise safe intake limits for your toddler and let you know whether mornings or bedtimes would be the best time to serve the tea.

3. Buy pure herbal tea from a reputed and trustworthy manufacturer and seller. It will help ensure the product is adulterant-free.

4. Purchase herbal tea sold in teabags. Loose tea is prone to contamination and adulteration. If you prefer using loose tea, buy it from a reputable store to ensure product quality.

5. Check the label carefully while buying herbal teas. Often herbal teas contain more than one type of herb and may contain other additives.

6. Store loose tea in an airtight container and teabags in their original packaging, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat.

7. Prepare tea as directed on the package or as advised by the doctor or expert. Usually, steeping a tea bag or some loose tea leaves in boiling water for three to five minutes is sufficient.

8. Feed no more than two to four tablespoons initially. If the toddler doesn’t show any signs of discomfort or sensitivity, increase the amount gradually to recommended amounts.

9. Use fewer leaves if using loose tea. Using excess leaves can make the tea too concentrated, making the tea unpleasant to taste and increasing the risk of adverse effects, such as an upset stomach.

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10. Avoid adding sweeteners, such as white sugar, while preparing herbal teas. If the tea tastes bitter, has a sharp taste, or the toddler doesn’t like it, serve the tea in small quantities. You may serve it with sweet food items, such as cookies or honey. Do not add honey if serving the tea to a baby younger than 12 months since it may increase the risk of an adverse condition called infant botulismⁱXA rare food poisoning caused due to the toxins produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. .

11. Do not serve tea to your toddler in a bottle or sippy cup. Serve the herbal tea in small sips with a spoon or in a small glass/cup.

Infographic: Benefits And Side Effects Of Herbal Tea For Toddlers And Preschoolers

While herbal teas are generally safe to consume and beneficial for toddlers, there might also be some disadvantages to their consumption. Take a look at the infographic below to know some more benefits and side effects of herbal teas for toddlers and preschoolers.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Moloko MehlapeMSc Dietetics

Moloko Mehlape is a registered dietitian in private practice with around nine years of experience in the field. Her special interest lies in nutrition education, sports nutrition, weight, and chronic disease management. She is a philanthropist passionate about making a positive impact in public health through nutrition. Dt. Mehlape has completed extensive formal education and training, and holds qualifications BSc...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more