Fennel Tea Question

[Tamara]

My MW recommended this for Ioan to help soothe his GI tract - his 'colic' is much better, but he still upset when he needs to pass wind down below or open his bowels, but obviously, he's not too keen on drinking it. 

So, I am drinking it instead - am hoping it'll get to him through me - anyone know much about this?

Plus, I've read that fennel is good for milk supply - in what way?  I only ask because I don't have a supply problem, so is it ok for me to drink it?

TIA

[chocolate001]

My polish friend told me that they use fennel tea for colic in their country - you can either drink it yourself as you are or let the baby have it directly.  I bought some but couldn't face drinking it and luckily as soon as my DD reached 12 weeks the colic disappeared - YEY!

[Tamara]

My MW is German and it's widely used over there too apparently

It's not the nicest to drink, but I can manage it.....better than Chammomile which made me 

[binxyboo]

My MIL, who lives in Germany now btw, recommended I drink fennel tea when Riley was fussy while nursing. It seemed to help a little bit. I have it on my shopping list for tomorrow, just because I am a huge herbal tea drinker and haven't had it in a while. I can't remember why it's good for nursing, maybe it helps the flow of milk or something??

I never gave Riley anything like that to drink at such a young age, but I know in Germany it is common to do. I would not be comfortable with that tbh.

[Tamara]

think will stick to drinking it myself too tbh

[lisi's mum]

Rats, just wrote a reply and my computer crashed 

So, fennel tea - yes, very very widely used here too.

In the holistic baby bible Die Hebammensprechstunde ( a snappy title for you  ) she says (and forgive the sloppy English):

"for all children it is often very helpful to offer them a teaspoon of fennel - caraway tea, you can also add a bay leaf to this when making it. A spoonfull of this weak tea is enough to positively effect the digestive system. I recommend that breast feeding mothers drink this tea in large amounts."

I personally wouldn't want to give my LO at Ioan's age anything that wasn't milk, but the vast majority of people I know do give theirs fennel tea.

I drank it myself, and am pretty sure it helped, but then again Lisi was never very colicky. You need to steep the seeds in the boiling water for at least 15 minutes for maximum effect, and drink at least 3 cups a day, so it's easiest just to make up a thermos of the stuff in the morning and sip it throughout the day. If you make it with caraway seeds too, so much the better. Never tried adding a bay leaf.

What you could try for Ioan is a massage with fennel oil - something like 4 drops of essential oil in 100ml of a neutral carrier like almond oil (this is on the cautious side of quantities, if you ask in a good whole food shop or aromatherapist's they should be able to tell you if you can use more. Massaging in a CLOCKWISE movement over his tummy. Even better would be getting a therapist to mix up a mixture with fennel, corriander, caraway and anis. It can also be used as a warm compress on his tummy.

[mcruari]

I drank litres of the stuff - it is widely used here too

[Tamara]

Thank you - I am drinking 3 cups at the mo, but am only leaving the tea bag in for about 5 mins - wil leave it for longer now.  I also leave it to go cold as then I can drink it quicker - get it over and done with quicker 

My MW recommended bergamot oil - are you familiar with that one?  Haven't been able to get it yet though

I will try the fennel oil though - thanks for the info

[binxyboo]

I also read on Kellymom that if she drink too much, it can actually decrease supply. Can't remember how much is too much, but you can get more info on that site. My brain is having difficulties retaining info at the moment

[swiper]

Sorry when you said you have tried giving it to little man was it the Hipp fennel tea as I know they do one? (sorry as thats the only one I know)?

I would say that it should help him settle more.

Settling vibes coming to you.

[Liam's Mama]

I was told to try Fennel tea when BF ds as my supply was low, it did help me with my milk supply but I couldn't manage to drink that much because of the taste  apparently fennel  causes your body to increase milk supply.

[lisi's mum]

Awel,
bergamot is not something I know about, it's properties:

Bergamot
Source: Ivory Coast. Latin name: Citrus bergamia. Family name: Rutaceae.

The bergamot fruit is not edible because the pulp is far too sour. As a result, the bergamot tree is primarily cultivated for its valuable essential oil. Bergamot oil is cold pressed from the fruit peel. It has a sweet & fruity scent. Bergamot oil is documented in old herbal texts. Some traditional uses: balancing nervous system, relieving anxiety and stress, lifting melancholy, for restful sleep, antiviral, cold sores, psoriasis, eczema and insect repellent. Bergamot may cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight. Emotional profile: to relieve helplessness, hopelessness, emptiness and grief. Blends with: lavender, neroli, jasmine, coriander, juniper, chamomile, lemon, geranium, and cypress.

Along with other citrus oils it is phototoxic, and bergamot is especially so. Avoid exposure to the sun if used on the skin.

It isn't one of the normal choices for babies or trapped wind, but as I say, I just haven't come across people using it.

Fennel tea has been shown to speed up let down rather than actually boost supply, but it's not like fenugreek or the other stronger galactogogues.

[jennyh]

we have fennel tea here and india has drank it since a baby.

[Colesmom]

awel, your posts are full of info for me!

so, are you buying actual tea bags...or just steeping fennel seeds?  thx (one-handed again, so short post)

[yaya]

yep i drank loads too and gave T lots as a babe