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Chamomile for newborns: can be given, how to brew and prepare?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Chamomile for newborns can be not only a useful remedy, but also a preventive one. This plant has many useful elements that are used in the treatment of colds, skin diseases and for other purposes. Every young mother should know about the benefits of chamomile and the limitations when using it can be dangerous.

Useful properties of chamomile herb

Despite advances in modern medicine, many mothers are increasingly turning to home remedies. Herbal remedies are natural and tend to have significantly fewer side effects than the synthetic drugs offered in pharmacies today. These natural remedies are also usually cheaper than conventional medications. Chamomile is one such cheap and useful remedy.

For centuries, this healing herb has been used to treat many problems such as wounds, skin irritations, ulcers, colic, croup, the list goes on. These dried flowers contain what are called terpenoids and flavonoids, biologically active ingredients that when applied or consumed by the body are active elements in the metabolism of many cells.

Chamomile is a nervous system relaxant that is especially helpful for restless babies. The flavonoids in chamomile are thought to bind to receptors in the brain, causing mild sedative effects that help induce sleep. If you’ve ever wondered if chamomile tea is safe for newborns, the answer is YES – it actually has many benefits for your little one.

Chamomile relieves abdominal pain caused by indigestion, colic, gas and constipation. Due to its ability to relax muscles, this tea therefore allows the gastrointestinal tract to relax and improve stool, therefore causing a calming effect. Antibacterial compounds also help strengthen the child's immune system and also help fight existing bacteria that can cause inflammation of the larynx, trachea and bronchi.

Chamomile can suppress blood sugar levels by increasing the action of glycogen and inhibiting sorbitol in human red blood cells.

Chamomile tea contains many vitamins that are good for a child, including calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin A. In addition to this, it also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic, and anti-allergenic properties and can strengthen the immune system.

Although the vitamins and minerals are not huge in quantity, most mothers give their children chamomile tea to help with a number of problems. The main indications for using such tea are colic, gas, and sleep problems.

Chamomile for newborns with colic is very widely used. This is because the fennel in chamomile relaxes the baby's intestines, which helps to get rid of the said conditions. Although colic has no identifiable cause, it can be caused by gastrointestinal discomfort. Chamomile has long been a remedy for intestinal spasms, so it is excellent for colic. Colic problems in babies can be so stressful and painful for babies that it can interfere with sleep and normal feeding.

Chamomile for newborns with constipation is also effective. Apple pectin contained in chamomile extract improves intestinal motility, which allows using this herb for constipation.

Chamomile for newborns with colds and coughs is used as a means of promoting the release of viruses. Although there is no evidence that chamomile tea will help your stuffy nose and cough, moderate amounts of tea are probably safe for most people. Many non-caffeinated liquids can be useful for flushing bacteria from the body. Chamomile tea for newborns can be taken as an additional therapy even during breastfeeding and not only for the baby, but also for the mother. Although some doctors say that a healthy child does not need anything except breast, but here we are talking about healthy children. Chamomile, due to its antiseptic properties, has not only a detoxifying function, but it also helps to kill bacteria and viruses.

How to give chamomile to a baby and how to brew chamomile in bags for newborns? Chamomile tea is widely available both as loose tea and in tea bags. Organic chamomile tea is grown and harvested without the use of chemical herbicides or pesticides. Therefore, for newborns, you need to choose only environmentally friendly, proven varieties of chamomile and give preference to pharmacy products. Chamomile in bags should be brewed in boiling but not hot water for 5 minutes. When the tea becomes warm, you can give it to the child with a teaspoon. The method of use and dosage of such tea is limited to taking no more than five times a day. It is best to give the child in the acute period a teaspoon of chamomile every two hours between feedings. It will be useful for the mother to drink such tea at the same time. Hipp tea for newborns with chamomile can be an excellent alternative to pharmacy teas, as it is a special environmentally friendly children's tea. But the mother can choose at her own discretion.

Dosing and administration

Chamomile is a natural relaxant that not only soothes irritability, but can also help your baby get a good night's rest, even if you just bathe him in chamomile. This herb is also a natural anti-inflammatory, which in itself will soothe your baby's skin, especially if he has itchy rashes or dry skin.

Chamomile for bathing newborns can also be used to soothe irritated skin. A chamomile bath for a newborn is very easy to prepare.

First, you need to make the tea, so you will need to boil some water. You can boil 1-2 cups of water. Once your water comes to a boil, you should remove it from the heat. Then let the boiling water cool down a little and add 1 cup of dried chamomile to the water and mix it thoroughly with the water. Then cover the pot with a lid and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.

After your tea has steamed, you need to strain it. Chamomile in bathing tablets will be more convenient in this case, since it does not need to be strained later. How much chamomile for bathing a newborn should you add if it is a regular home herb? If you have regular grass, then you can also use it at the rate of one tablespoon of grass per two liters of water for bathing.

Once the chamomile has steeped, you can add your chamomile tea to your bath. Simply pour this hot tea into your bath water and stir thoroughly.

Bathing is no different from regular bathing. Let your child play and bathe in the tub, but not more than 15-20 minutes. Chamomile infusion and decoction for bathing newborns can have a strong smell, which can cause an allergic cough in the child. Therefore, if you see that he does not like something, it is better to react immediately and stop bathing.

A series of chamomile for bathing newborns can also be used, but only if you have previously used these herbs separately, and the child did not have any reactions. The series complements the antiseptic effect of chamomile and improves the condition of the newborn's skin.

Chamomile for the face of a newborn can be used when the child has pronounced acne. Chamomile in this case has an antiseptic and soothing effect on the skin of the face. To do this, you need to wipe the child's face with a warm fresh solution of chamomile in the morning as a wash.

Chamomile for washing the eyes of newborns is incredibly effective in treating conjunctivitis. This herb is known for its anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

To make eye drops, first boil filtered water. Then make tea from a bag of chamomile and let it cool to room temperature.

Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly. Dip a cotton swab in the chamomile. Squeeze a little and wipe from the inner eye to the outer eye in one motion. Wash your hands again and use a new cotton swab for the next eye. Repeat every couple of hours throughout the day for as long as you need.

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Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of tea are allergic reactions to this plant in someone in the family. Also, your child may suffer from side effects if you give him a large amount of chamomile tea. Some children are known to suffer from skin rashes when consuming too much. It is better to dilute the chamomile tea as much as possible in such cases. Chamomile water for newborns is diluted in a one to one ratio. In this case, the water should also be boiled. This tea should be given in the same dose several times a day.

If you don’t want to take any risks and don’t know if your child will be allergic, it’s best to do a patch test. To test your child’s sensitivity to this herb, you have a couple of options. First, you can rub chamomile on the underside of your child’s wrist or belly and watch for redness or swelling. If your child is allergic to it, you’ll see typical reactions such as rash, stuffy nose, swelling.

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Overdose

Overdose of the herb is rare. It may manifest itself as drowsiness and depression in the child.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions and shelf life are not limited, except for high humidity.

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Reviews of taking chamomile are positive. Bathing in chamomile also has a beneficial effect on the child. But before using any remedy for your newborn child, you should always consult a doctor, as each case is individual.

Chamomile for newborns can have a very positive effect not only when bathing, but also as a means for internal use. This herb has many useful elements that normalize the processes of intestinal motility in a child and can affect colic. Therefore, mothers should be aware of these benefits and take them into account in treatment, but with a doctor's consultation.

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Chamomile for newborns: can be given, how to brew and prepare?" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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