Chamomile Tea for Babies & Children Safety, Benefits, Recipe

Chamomile is often described as a gentle herb that even colicky babies might benefit from. This post goes over the evidence behind the possible benefits of chamomile tea for babies and children. Plus, I included some interesting cultural references and tips on how to make chamomile tea for your little one. Let’s dive in…

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. Even if a remedy is classified as safe in Herbal Doula blog posts based on the existing evidence, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you or your baby. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements or making any major changes to your or your children’s diet and lifestyle. 

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Chamomile Tea for Babies: Should You Give Your Little One Some? 

If you don’t know much about chamomile, I suggest checking out this post first. It talks about chamomile use in birth work and gives a detailed overview of different types of chamomile that you can find. 

I’ll just recap and remind you that there are two main types of chamomile: Roman and German. This post deals with German chamomile, as there’s barely any info on the use of Roman chamomile (or other less common varieties) in babies and children. 

German chamomile abounds in (Srivastava et al., 2011):

• Antioxidants like quercetin and apigenin
• Antimicrobials like coumarin compounds
• Anti-inflammatory actives like alpha-bisabolol, matricin, chamazulene 

Also, I’ll briefly touch upon chamomile essential oil and homeopathic chamomile preparations but will focus mainly on herbal tea. 

Chamomile Tea Safety for Babies

Babies under 6 months: 

Caution

Babies 6+ months (short-term): 

Safe

Chamomile is probably safe when used as tea and topical preparation in babies for up to 4 weeks (LactMed). 

Caution is advised in babies under 6 months since sensitization may occur, making some babies more prone to allergies to plants in the chamomile (daisy) family later. If you notice an allergic reaction in your baby, do not give her chamomile (LactMed). 

Chamomile Essential Oil Safety in Babies & Children

Babies  6+ months:

Caution

Children 6+ years (short-term):

Safe

German chamomile essential oil is likely safe in children over 6 years old for up to 6 weeks (when properly diluted and inhaled or used externally) (Sharifi et al., 2017). 

No data on babies exist. Caution is advised. 

Traditional Use of Chamomile Tea in Babies

Herbal Blends for Digestion

Chamomile tea is traditionally used in many countries to soothe colic, gas, constipation, acid reflux, indigestion, and teething pain in babies. It has a long history of use. 

Chamomile is sometimes combined into herbal tea blends for babies with fennel seeds, cumin seeds, or even catnip.

An ethnobotanical review of herbs used in children in Romania from the 1860s-1970s uncovered that chamomile was among the most commonly given and most versatile natural remedies (Petran et al., 2020). 

This speaks to the large role chamomile plays in Eastern Europe, where it can be spotted on meadows growing wild. Other commonly used and versatile children’s herbs included male fern, gratiola, garlic, flat sea holly, common walnut, and broadleaf plantain (Petran et al., 2020). 

The tea is usually given to babies experiencing colic in tiny amounts before 6 months, usually not before 3-4 months. After 6 months, it’s typically given in small sips for indigestion, constipation, and other complaints. 

Newborns on Crete

On Crete, babies are given chamomile tea right after they are born. Locals claim that a baby that has drunk chamomile tea is thought to be healthy. Giving chamomile to the newborn is seen as a ritual that connects it to the “clan.” The tea is also applied to the mother’s nipples before nursing. 

Both science and intuition tell us that giving newborns anything but their mother’s colostrum is definitely not a good idea. Colostrum is perfect and absolutely precious for newborn babies. Baby should spend that first golden hour after birth on her mother’s chest, establishing breastfeeding and bonding (Bryant et al., 2021). 

Unfortunately, many traditional societies that have advanced herbal knowledge interrupt this bonding–a topic Michel Odent and others have written plenty about. 

So, while I would never personally endorse taking a newborn away from its mom and/or giving it tea, I think this story speaks to the big cultural role chamomile plays in some parts of the world. 

At the same time, this story should remind us to challenge and question some traditional beliefs with an open mind.

Potential Benefits of Chamomile for Babies & Children

1) Colic

All in all, chamomile tea likely helps improve colic in combination with other herbs. 

A combination of German chamomile, lemon balm, and fennel twice daily for a week improved colic in one trial of 93 breastfed babies. It reduced crying time, compared with placebo. At the beginning of the study, babies cried for about 201 min/day. After taking the herbal mixture, babies cried for about 77 min/day, on average (Savino et al., 2005).

In another study, a combination of lemon balm, German chamomile, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (1 billion CFU) twice daily for 4 weeks improved colic in both breastfed and formula-fed babies (176 babies in total). It reduced crying time by about 44 minutes per day compared to the “standard” anti-gas medication simethicone (Martinelli et al., 2017). 

This improvement was similar to that observed for babies given BioGaia ProTectis (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 100 million CFU/day) (Martinelli et al., 2017). 

In another study, herbal tea with German chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm up to three times daily increased the number of babies who stop having colic episodes after 7 days. The tea eliminated the colic in 19 (57%) of 33 babies, whereas placebo was helpful in only 9 (26%) of 35 babies (Weizman et al., 1993).  

Since all studies used multi-ingredient formulations, it’s unclear how much German chamomile contributed to the benefits. 

2) Diarrhea

A product containing German chamomile extract and apple pectin improved acute diarrhea after 1-3 days in 255 children aged 6 months to 6 years. It reduced stool frequency and eased overall symptoms when compared to placebo (Becker et al., 2006).

3) Indigestion

Chamomile tea is commonly given to ease indigestion. It’s often traditionally blended with other anti-bloating herbs like caraway, cumin, and fennel. Neither chamomile alone nor this combination have been tested in babies with digestive issues. 

Based on what we know about these herbs and the results of studies on babies with colic, it’s reasonable to say that this benefit is plausible. Plus, we know chamomile tea is soothing and safe for babies. 

Otherwise, only multi-ingredient products were tested in adults with indigestion. 

The most famous one is Iberogast, a liquid formula that contains German chamomile, Iberis Amara (bitter candytuft), milk thistle, peppermint leaf, licorice, caraway, celandine, angelica, and lemon balm. A review of the literature concluded it helps adults with acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting when compared with placebo (Melzer et al., 2004). 

Another combination product called Gastritol contains chamomile, silverweed, licorice, angelica, blessed thistle, and wormwood. Gastritol improved indigestion and heartburn in a study on 149 adults (Wegener & Heimueller, 2016)

The manufacturers of Iberogast claim the use of the product is safe in both babies and children and even give dosage instructions for babies under 3 months. Anecdotally, it’s also used in babies with colic, wind, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and gas under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (doctor/naturopath/herbalist). 

However, neither Iberogast nor Gastritol have been clinically tested in babies or children. We don’t know for certain if they are safe, so their use is not recommended. 

To sum it up, chamomile might help with indigestion, but more clinical data are needed. 

4) Eczema

Chamomile contains several anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds (Bhaskaran et al., 2010). 

In one clinical study on people with eczema (atopic dermatitis), a cream called Kamillosan containing a 2% German chamomile extract improved itching, redness, and skin scaling compared with both placebo and hydrocortisone 0.5% cream. It was used up to three times daily for up to 4 weeks (Patzelt-Wenczler & Ponce-Pöschl, 2000).

Given that topical steroids like hydrocortisone have side effects and are far too commonly prescribed to babies and children, chamomile is a reasonable natural remedy. It would be great to see more research on it, though. Also, creams or gels with chamomile are a better option than oil. Creams keep the skin hydrated, which helps soothe eczema.

5) Teething & Sore Gums

Chamomile tea is a folk remedy for teething pain, likely due to its soothing and relaxing effects. Clinical studies haven’t tested its effectiveness, but it’s a safe remedy to try out. 

Chamomile can also be boiled with cloves in a small amount of water (one glass) until the water mostly evaporates. You can add this to glycerine and apply a small bit to your baby’s gums. Cloves are a natural numbing agent while chamomile is a mild anti-inflammatory. Again, not clinically tested, but anecdotal works for some babies. 

Homeopathic chamomile is another popular one, also lacking research. It’s usually used as a standalone homeopathic remedy (200 CH or, alternatively, 30CH) or in multi-ingredient homeopathic products like Dentokind. 

One study followed over 11,000 children who used homeopathic remedies, including chamomilla 30C. Enrolled children took part in an initiative called “Homoeopathy for the Healthy Child” in India. The authors concluded that children responded favorably to the homeopathic medicines and were satisfied with the program (Taneja et al., 2019).

Some aromatherapists recommend chamomile essential oil. It’s either placed in a diffuser (one to two drops) or mixed with a base oil like coconut or olive oil and massaged into the baby’s jawline. If doing this, be sure to make a solution of under 0.5%.

6) Common cold

In one clinical study, inhaling the steam from German chamomile alcoholic extract for 10 minutes reduced symptoms in patients suffering from an uncomplicated common cold (Saller et al., 1990). 

Traditionally, people inhale the steam from chamomile tea for 5-10 minutes. Chamomile may be mixed with other herbs that are also believed to help with the common cold and congestion like peppermint, eucalyptus, wild thyme, common sage, basil, and rosemary. All these herbs are rich in volatile oils that pass into the steam. 

Other

In one small study in children aged 2-18 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, German chamomile flower extract improved some blood worked parameters. It was given for 30 days during induction chemotherapy and was linked with faster recovery of absolute neutrophil counts compared with placebo (Daneshfard et al., 2020).

Remember, though, that chamomile is not a medical treatment, and this is the only study that tested its effects in children with cancer. Much more data are needed. 

Chamomile Tea Side Effects in Babies

Anecdotally, chamomile oil may worsen eczema in some babies. 

Chamomile may trigger allergic reactions like skin rashes, eye irritation, and asthma in some. Children who are allergic to chamomile and other plants of the daisy family should avoid it. 

Chamomile also might interact with some drugs (antifungals, sedatives, antiepileptic drugs, and others), so check with your doctor before giving it to your baby if she is on any medication. 

How to Make Chamomile Tea for Your Baby

Purchasing Tea

The medicinal part of chamomile is the bright yellow flowerhead you can clearly see when you buy loose tea. 

I recommend buying sustainably sourced loose tea, not tea bags. Teabags are low-quality, have a weaker effect, and you never really know what’s inside.

Making chamomile tea couldn’t be easier. 

Recipe

Instructions:

1. Boil a cup of water
2. Measure one teaspoon of loose chamomile tea in a cup (optional: add other herbs*)
3. Pour water over the tea
4. Cover and let steep for about 10 minutes
5. Drain and cool to room temperature
6. Give your little one in small sips

*You can add some caraway, lemon balm, and/or fennel to the infusion. A small amount will suffice. Measure just the tip of a teaspoon if adding all these herbs or half a teaspoon if adding just one additional herb to the mix.

How Much Chamomile Tea Can Baby Have?

If your baby is under 6 months, you can offer the tea in a small teaspoon or syringe. 

The amount your baby needs will depend on how old he is. Babies around the 3-4 months mark probably won’t take more than a couple of teaspoons a couple of times per day. That’s fine, since baby should be getting all of its fluids and nutrition from breastmilk at that age. 

Around 8-9 months, your baby may be ready to sip a couple of ounces of chamomile tea. Toddlers can drink a regular cup of tea 2-3 times per day. 

Buy Chamomile Tea

• Organic chamomile on Amazon

What Is the Bottom Line?

• Tea with chamomile and other herbs like fennel, caraway, and lemon balm is safe in babies. Clinical studies suggest it might improve colic and diarrhea in babies.
• Chamomile is also added to baby creams for eczema relief and gels for teething pain. Some inhale chamomile tea to ease congestion and symptoms of the common cold
• Chamomile tea has a long history of traditional use in babies and children and is easy to make. 

>>>>>     Read the report on chamomile safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Did you try giving your baby chamomile tea? How did it go? 

Let me know in the comments and share this article if you enjoyed reading it! <3