Herbal tea for DS?

[KelseyH]

DS has recently developed an obsession with anything in a coffee cup. He is 17 months, and when my back was turned and my coffee was on a table I *thought* he couldn't reach (or chose not to reach while I was watching!) he drank more than a half a cup of my caffeinated coffee!!!!! Ahhhhh! Luckily all it did was shorten his nap by 45 minutes or so. :S

But what I wanted to know is, if I can give him "his" coffee cup, can he drink decaf herbal tea? Like chamomile, hibiscus/rose (thinking he will like that since it is naturally sweet), etc.? It would just be 1/2 a cup or so a day while I have *mommy's* tea, but I didn't know if there could be any adverse consequences. Thoughts?

[greencrunchymama]

We give my 9 month old chamomile and she loves it! I think it's fine as long as it's not super strong.

[z2akids]

I would do some research regarding the particular herbs that you want to give to your LO. Some herbs are very safe for babies/toddlers while some may not be safe or at least have not been tested on babies.

I don't think that a toddler needs tea. I would probably try a dark mug with water in it. Baby won't be able to tell that it is simply water in a dark colored mug.

[LaurenAppenzeller]

I babysat for someone who was a midwife and she let her kids drink herbal tea like chamomile and peppermint and have real tea parties. Im sure its fine its probably even healthy

[KelseyH]

Originally Posted by z2akids I don't think that a toddler needs tea. I would probably try a dark mug with water in it. Baby won't be able to tell that it is simply water in a dark colored mug.

I don't think he "needs" it, either, but I have already tried what you suggested, even with warmed water or warmed milk. He likes it because it's warm and sweet (the tea is, naturally, I don't add sugar... Not sure why he enjoyed the coffee, though...). He's not going to settle for anything but what he knows is tea, and unfortunately he knows.

[KelseyH]

Originally Posted by greencrunchymama We give my 9 month old chamomile and she loves it! I think it's fine as long as it's not super strong.

Originally Posted by LaurenAppenzeller I babysat for someone who was a midwife and she let her kids drink herbal tea like chamomile and peppermint and have real tea parties. Im sure its fine its probably even healthy

Thanks, mamas! I think I will start with some mild chamomile or a chamomile blend. I have a "sleepy time" tea... Maybe it will work haha!

[danner]

Rooibos is also perfectly safe, and can stand up to a bit of milk as well. I've always mixed a simple herb tea (Frontier's Very Berry or Forever Fruit) and rooibos with a touch of honey to make iced tea for our family.

[KelseyH]

Originally Posted by danner Rooibos is also perfectly safe, and can stand up to a bit of milk as well. I've always mixed a simple herb tea (Frontier's Very Berry or Forever Fruit) and rooibos with a touch of honey to make iced tea for our family.

I'm off to google... But what is Rooibos? Never heard of it.

ETA: ah... I see. Just a different type of herb. I'm not exactly a tea aficionado, it's just cold in the house! Haha

[Liadan23]

chamomile tea is very safe for children to drink. we used to give it to ds in small amounts in a bottle when he was a baby and had a hard time going to sleep. just brew it weakly and let it cool a bit

[hbee]

DD loves tea. We just give her a little of ours in milk and she gobbles it up.