{"id":31437,"date":"2026-09-08T18:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T18:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=31437"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:11:22","slug":"anti-colic-herbal-tea-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/infant\/anti-colic-herbal-tea-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: how to naturally relieve your baby\u2019s colic?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colic in your infant can be difficult to understand and soothe. Anti-colic herbal teas may be a natural solution to help relieve it. But how do they actually work, are they safe during breastfeeding, and what alternatives can be considered?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding:<\/strong> let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding colic in breastfed infants<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colic in breastfed infants is not systematic, as breast milk is perfectly digestible. Here are the symptoms to recognize and the risk factors in infants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical symptoms of infant colic<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colic mainly appears as intense, inconsolable crying at any time of the day.<strong> These are episodes during which your baby may show the following signs<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prolonged crying, often more than 2 to 3 hours a day, difficult to calm,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a bloated abdomen, sometimes firm to the touch,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frequent gas,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facial flushing during episodes,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clenched fists and legs stretched out or pulled toward the abdomen,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recurrent episodes despite normal feeding and bowel movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Good to know:<\/strong> colic is different from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or constipation, and your baby maintains normal growth and digestion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk factors for infant colic<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main explanations for colic in infants:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Immaturity of the digestive system<\/strong>: your infant\u2019s digestive system, still developing, may react with spasms or abdominal pain, especially during digestion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Swallowing air<\/strong>: during feeding or crying, your baby may swallow air, increasing bloating and digestive discomfort.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>An increased gastrocolic reflex<\/strong>: after feeding, intestinal movements accelerate, which can cause temporary stomach and intestinal pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your baby may also feel discomfort during feeding if the milk flows too quickly, a phenomenon known as a strong let-down reflex (SLR). This heavy flow can lead to the ingestion of a large amount of milk and air, potentially causing digestive discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31442\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/attractive-beautiful-asian-woman-enjoying-warm-cof-2026-03-11-00-52-10-utc.webp\" alt=\"Tisane anti-colique allaitement : comment soulager naturellement les coliques de votre b\u00e9b\u00e9 ? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/attractive-beautiful-asian-woman-enjoying-warm-cof-2026-03-11-00-52-10-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/attractive-beautiful-asian-woman-enjoying-warm-cof-2026-03-11-00-52-10-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/attractive-beautiful-asian-woman-enjoying-warm-cof-2026-03-11-00-52-10-utc-768x513.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: how does it work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Your milk is excellent for your baby, regardless of what you eat<\/strong>. Most of the time, what you eat does not affect your baby\u2019s digestion. Anti-colic herbal teas rely on the gentle, natural action of plants, whose active compounds may, in very small amounts, be passed to your infant through breast milk, potentially helping to ease colic-related symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: how it acts on colic<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you drink an anti-colic herbal tea, plant compounds pass in small amounts into your breast milk. These natural components may then help support your infant\u2019s digestion and soothe intestinal discomfort, with potential effects such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reducing gas and bloating <\/strong>: some plants promote gas expulsion, limiting bloating and discomfort in your baby.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Antispasmodic effect <\/strong>: certain plants contain substances that relax stomach and intestinal muscles, reducing painful spasms responsible for colic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gentle stimulation of bowel movements <\/strong>: other plants are known to stimulate intestinal transit, helping prevent the buildup of gas or toxins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Overall soothing effect <\/strong>: some infusions have a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems, promoting better relaxation for you and indirectly for your baby.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: main plants used<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal teas are made from plants known for their digestive and soothing properties. Here are the main plants commonly found in infusions for breastfeeding mothers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fennel <\/strong>: it may help reduce bloating and intestinal gas. Note: although long recommended for breastfeeding women, recent findings about its high estragole content now contraindicate its use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chamomile<\/strong> : with its calming properties, it may soothe intestinal spasms and promote digestive relaxation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Green anise<\/strong> : it may support digestion and offer benefits similar to fennel, particularly for relieving gas and stimulating bowel movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lemon balm<\/strong> : this mild, slightly lemony aromatic plant may calm digestive tension and promote relaxation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Verbena<\/strong> : thanks to its soothing properties, it may help calm digestive discomfort while providing a relaxing effect.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Peppermint <\/strong>: it may support digestive comfort and reduce spasms (but may decrease milk supply).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linden, orange blossom, licorice, thyme, rosemary, sage, and ginger may also be included in some medicinal or digestive herbal blends.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31445\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-mother-discreetly-breastfeeding-her-baby-in-a-br-2026-03-26-05-33-22-utc.webp\" alt=\"Tisane anti-colique allaitement : comment soulager naturellement les coliques de votre b\u00e9b\u00e9 ? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-mother-discreetly-breastfeeding-her-baby-in-a-br-2026-03-26-05-33-22-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-mother-discreetly-breastfeeding-her-baby-in-a-br-2026-03-26-05-33-22-utc-300x202.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-mother-discreetly-breastfeeding-her-baby-in-a-br-2026-03-26-05-33-22-utc-768x516.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: precautions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea appeals to many mothers looking to relieve their baby\u2019s colic naturally. However, <strong>even herbal infusions<\/strong>, known for their digestive benefits, <strong>require certain precautions during breastfeeding<\/strong>. Here\u2019s what you need to know to enjoy their benefits while keeping your baby safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: compounds to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some plants used in anti-colic herbal teas contain substances such as estragole and anethole. These active compounds are naturally present in seeds and give herbal teas their digestive and carminative properties, helping expel intestinal gas:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Estragole<\/strong> : at high doses and over long periods, this molecule is suspected of having toxic and carcinogenic potential. Recent research therefore recommends limiting the consumption of fennel or anise herbal teas in breastfeeding women, especially in concentrated or prolonged use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Licorice<\/strong> : sometimes present in blends, it may have hypertensive effects and is not recommended in large quantities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Peppermint, sage, or thyme<\/strong> : use in moderation, as some components may, at high doses, affect milk production or the infant\u2019s well-being.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: advice from healthcare professionals<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though anti-colic herbal tea is a gentle remedy during breastfeeding, it is strongly recommended to seek advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or midwife before starting a regimen, especially if you plan to drink several cups a day or over several weeks. Here are some recommendations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Favor variety<\/strong> : alternate plants to limit exposure to a specific compound and avoid overusing concentrated decoctions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Follow dosage guidelines<\/strong> : 1 to 2 cups per day, using one teaspoon of dried herbs per cup.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Avoid \u201cstimulating\u201d herbal teas in high doses<\/strong> : they may disrupt lactation or your baby\u2019s sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Monitor stools<\/strong> : consult a professional if your baby has persistent green stools.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Report any adverse effects<\/strong> : if your baby shows unusual digestive issues, increased crying, or skin reactions, speak promptly with your healthcare professional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Check the instructions<\/strong> : even for medicinal herbal teas, review the manufacturer\u2019s recommendations and the exact composition of the blend.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31448\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shot-of-a-young-woman-breastfeeding-her-adorable-b-2026-03-25-03-25-23-utc.webp\" alt=\"Tisane anti-colique allaitement : comment soulager naturellement les coliques de votre b\u00e9b\u00e9 ? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shot-of-a-young-woman-breastfeeding-her-adorable-b-2026-03-25-03-25-23-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shot-of-a-young-woman-breastfeeding-her-adorable-b-2026-03-25-03-25-23-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shot-of-a-young-woman-breastfeeding-her-adorable-b-2026-03-25-03-25-23-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural alternatives to relieve colic<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are other natural methods to try to relieve your baby\u2019s colic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massage and babywearing<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belly massage is a gentle and effective technique to help your baby digest better and release gas responsible for bloating and intestinal pain. Here are some recommended techniques:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Massage<\/strong> : lay your baby on their back on a comfortable surface. Using your fingers, gently massage in circles around the navel, always clockwise. Focus more on the path of the large intestine to help move gas toward elimination. This movement can also be reproduced on your infant\u2019s feet, using gentle reflexology-inspired techniques.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pedaling motion <\/strong>: gently hold your baby\u2019s legs and bend them one at a time toward their belly, mimicking a pedaling motion. Repeat this movement 4 to 5 times to relieve abdominal tension.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Babywearing<\/strong> : whether in a sling, in a physiological tummy-to-tummy position, or simply in your arms, contact and warmth soothe your child. A small warm compress placed on the belly can complement these actions to relax your baby\u2019s abdomen.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your diet and lifestyle<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your diet and certain daily habits play a key role in limiting colic in breastfed infants:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>A balanced and varied diet<\/strong> : prioritize a diet rich in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, and stay well hydrated. Avoid certain foods : some babies seem more sensitive when the mother consumes dairy products, very spicy foods, cabbage, legumes, or carbonated drinks. If you notice a correlation, try limiting them temporarily and observe any changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Take your time during feeding<\/strong>: take breaks to allow your baby to burp, which limits air intake and reduces the risk of bloating. Feeding sessions should also be long enough so your baby doesn\u2019t only receive the foremilk, which is very rich in lactose.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Create a calm environment<\/strong> : establish a peaceful atmosphere during meals and care routines with soft lighting or gentle music. Stress and agitation can affect your baby, who is highly sensitive to emotions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Skin-to-skin and cuddles <\/strong>: close contact, skin-to-skin time, and regular cuddling help reassure and relax your baby, promoting better digestive comfort.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, colic in breastfed infants, although common and often unsettling, is <strong>generally mild and temporary<\/strong>. Anti-colic herbal teas can be an interesting natural support, provided they are used with caution and in accordance with healthcare professionals\u2019 recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<\/p>\n<p>Photo credits: titovailona | Tirachard | MaplesImages | YuriArcursPeopleimages<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colic in your infant can be difficult to understand and soothe. Anti-colic herbal teas may be a natural solution to help relieve it. But how do they actually work, are they safe during breastfeeding, and what alternatives can be considered? Anti-colic herbal tea and breastfeeding: let\u2019s take a closer look. Understanding colic in breastfed infants [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":31440,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[196,197,199],"tags":[146],"class_list":["post-31437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infant","category-baby-6-12-months","category-baby-1-year","tag-breastfeeding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31437"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31458,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31437\/revisions\/31458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}