Drinks & extras Food Library
When can babies have herbal tea?
Can babies have herbal tea?
Herbal tea is best saved until after 12 months, and then only weak, cooled, unsweetened and caffeine-free teas in small amounts. Before 12 months, babies should drink only breast milk or formula, plus small sips of water from 6 months. Some herbs are not safe for young children, so stick to mild, common teas.
How to serve herbal tea by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip herbal tea. Breast milk or formula is your baby's main drink, with small sips of water from an open or straw cup at meals.
7–8 months
Keep skipping herbal tea, since it can crowd out milk feeds. Offer breast milk or formula and sips of water, and let your baby taste herbs like mint or chamomile in food instead.
9–12 months
Keep waiting on herbal tea. Offer water with meals and keep breast milk or formula as the main source of nutrition.
12 months +
Offer a few sips of weak, caffeine-free herbal tea such as chamomile, rooibos or mild fruit tea, cooled to lukewarm, in an open cup. Do not add sugar or honey, and keep water and milk as the main drinks.
Why it’s good
Herbal tea gives little nutrition beyond hydration and flavor. Large amounts can fill a small tummy and may reduce how much milk and food a child takes in. Some teas contain tannins that can reduce iron absorption, so serve them away from iron-rich meals.
Safety notes
- Do not give herbal tea before 12 months. Babies need breast milk or formula, and tea can crowd out these feeds.
- Some herbs can be harmful to young children, including star anise tea (which can be contaminated with toxic Japanese star anise), comfrey, licorice root, and strong peppermint for infants. Avoid weight-loss, detox and medicinal blends.
- Check that the tea is caffeine-free. Green, black, white and oolong teas and yerba mate contain caffeine.
- Never sweeten tea with honey for children under 12 months, and avoid added sugar for toddlers.
- Hot tea can cause serious burns. Always cool it to lukewarm and keep hot mugs out of reach.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Herbal tea is not a common allergen, but individual herbs can rarely cause reactions. Chamomile is related to ragweed, so children with ragweed allergy may react; start with a small amount of one tea at a time and watch for hives, swelling or wheezing.
Herbal tea for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about herbal tea for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have herbal tea?
Babies can have herbal tea after 12 months, in small amounts of weak, cooled, caffeine-free tea. Before 12 months, breast milk or formula should be the main drink, with sips of water from 6 months.
Can babies drink herbal tea?
Babies under 12 months should not drink herbal tea because it can replace milk feeds and some herbs are not safe for infants. Toddlers can try a few sips of mild herbal tea without sugar or honey.
Is herbal tea a choking hazard for babies?
Herbal tea itself is not a choking hazard because it is a liquid. Add-ins like loose tea leaves, fruit pieces or boba pearls can be a choking risk, so strain tea well and skip boba.
Is herbal tea a common allergen?
No, herbal tea is not a common allergen, though rare reactions to individual herbs can happen. Chamomile tea can trigger reactions in children with ragweed allergy.
How do I serve herbal tea to a 6 month old?
Herbal tea is not recommended for a 6 month old. At 6 months, offer breast milk or formula as the main drink and small sips of water from a cup, and wait until after 12 months for herbal tea.
Is chamomile tea safe for babies?
Chamomile tea is best saved until after 12 months, and then only weak and in small amounts. Talk to your pediatrician before using chamomile tea for colic, gas or sleep.
Can herbal tea help babies with colic or sleep?
There is not enough evidence that herbal tea safely helps babies with colic or sleep, and it can replace important milk feeds. Ask your pediatrician about colic or sleep concerns instead of using herbal tea.
Which herbal teas should toddlers avoid?
Toddlers should avoid herbal teas made with star anise, comfrey, licorice root, senna or other laxative herbs, and any detox or weight-loss blends. Mild teas like rooibos, chamomile and plain fruit teas are safer choices.
How much herbal tea can a toddler have?
A toddler only needs a few ounces of weak herbal tea at a time, as an occasional drink. Water and milk should remain the main drinks for toddlers.
The takeaway
- Herbal tea is best saved until after 12 months, and then only weak, cooled, unsweetened and caffeine-free teas in small amounts.
- Offer a few sips of weak, caffeine-free herbal tea such as chamomile, rooibos or mild fruit tea, cooled to lukewarm, in an open cup.
- Choking risk is low. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.