Some teas should not be taken during lactation because they can alter the taste of milk, harming breastfeeding or causing discomfort such as diarrhea, gas or irritation in the baby. In addition, some teas may also interfere with the production of breast milk, reducing its quantity.
Thus, it is important that the mother consult the obstetrician or a phytotherapist before taking any type of tea during breastfeeding.
Teas that decrease milk production
Some of the herbs that appear to further reduce breast milk production include:
| Lemongrass | Oregano |
| Salsinha | Pepper mint |
| Herb Pervinca | Sage |
| Thyme | Yarrow |
Teas that can pass into the milk
Teas that can pass into breast milk can not only alter the taste and make it difficult to breastfeed, but also cause some kind of effect on the baby. Some of the teas that are generally known to pass into the milk are:
- Kava Kava tea: used to treat anxiety and insomnia;
- Carqueja Tea: used to relieve the symptoms of flu or treat digestive and intestinal problems;
- Angelica Tea: indicated in the treatment of digestive and stomach problems, anxiety, cramps and headache;
- Ginseng tea: used to treat tiredness and fatigue;
- Licorice root tea: used to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, catarrh, constipation and cold;
- Dwarf Palm Tea: indicated in the treatment of cystitis, phlegm and cough.
Other teas such as fenugreek tea, fennel, star anise, garlic and echinacea should be avoided during breastfeeding because there is no scientific evidence that they are safe during lactation.
These lists are not complete and therefore it is always important to consult the doctor or a herbalist before starting to use a new tea during breastfeeding.
Teas that you can take in breastfeeding
Some teas such as chamomile or ginger, for example, can be used in breastfeeding to treat problems in the mother or baby. For example, if the baby has colic, the mother can drink the lavender tea that when passing through the milk, can help the baby. See other home remedy options for baby colic.
Another example is Silymarin, which is extracted from the Cardo-Marian medicinal plant, which can be used to increase the production of breast milk under medical indication. Here's how to use this natural remedy to increase breast milk production.
In this way, the important thing is for the infant to experiment with some teas, under the advice of the doctor or phytotherapist, and stop drinking it if she or her baby experiences any side effects.
