DS is 15 months old and breastfed on demand and recently he has upped his brestmilk and seemed to almost stop drinking water.  I give him juice with his breakfast (which he loves) and then water the rest of the day.  He has really gone off his water and seems to be wanting to get all his liquid from my milk.  I am finding this a real struggle as he seems to constantly clinging to me and crying (well its a whine more than an actual cry) "muk muk".  Has anyone any suggestions for other drinks I could try with him so that my boobs (and sanity) get a bit of a break?  I remember reading somewhere about giving children cool herbal tea but can't remember where.  I don't want to give him juices as I know its not best for his teeth

Thanks, Alice

hi Alice,

dd was bought up on water and herbal teas. So much so, that at the age of 18 months she would come to me with herbs from the garden to make her drinks from. So cute - she seemed to know instinctively what she needed

If he is clingy and whingy, camomile might be good.
Fennel is good for tummy upsets
Mint is good for digestion
Rosehip and hibiscus have lots of vitamin C so are excellent for this time of year.

This is one of my pet subjects, so ask any more questions, I love talking about herbs

Starchild x

Hiya Starchild

Thanks for the reply.  I can never grow herbs at all, I think its because our garden is shady and damp most of the year, whould tea bag herbal teas be ok, and if so which brands are best?  I'm worried that some have added flavours etc and am not sure what I'm looking for really.  Did you just let the tea cool and then put it into a cup for her? 

I think I could do with some for me as I seem to have no patience at all with him at the moment as I feel he has used up the absolute last drop of my energy and calmness iykwim!

Alice x

Just weak, cooled camomile or peppermint or fennel would probably go down well - any brand as long as it's pure herb with no added flavours which would be listed in the ingredients so easy to avoid. If he's suddenly doing this, maybe he's brewing up a cold, or more likely at his age, a big back tooth. Mine were both abslutely stuck to me day and night when they were doing that. Velcro babies, we called them!

I've given dd herbal teas from a young age for all sorts of ailments and just as a drink.  She loves fennel, cammomile and rosehip.  The rosehip great as when all the other kids are drinking blackcurrant squash it looks like they've got the same so no tantrums.

Love the fact your dd picked them starchild thats very cute-awww.

my daughter loves herbal teas too

she likes peppermint, and chamomile,and at night we giver her 'nighttime' tea made by heath and heather - it is lovely.
you could also try redbush/rooibos tea WITH milk - its a great alternative to *normal* tea.

sorry lovie - I only just caught your reply.

[quote author=sparky link=topic=566.msg6208#msg6208 date=1192471858]
I can never grow herbs at all, I think its because our garden is shady and damp most of the year

have you tried in pots close to the house where you can control the conditions more?
Alternatively you can grow inside; my basil is still going strong from the summer on the dining table!

whould tea bag herbal teas be ok,

absolutely fine!

  and if so which brands are best?  I'm worried that some have added flavours etc and am not sure what I'm looking for really.

Just read the ingredients and steer clear of anything with 'flavouring' in it.
If you go for chamomile, peppermint, fennel or rosehip, the chances are it will be unadulterated.
it's when you get onto some of the more fruity ones that they sometimes add flavours.
Even some stocked in supermarkets are ok.

Did you just let the tea cool and then put it into a cup for her? 

yes. A quicker way is to pour a drop of boiling water in on the bag and then top up with cool water. Otherwise it can take forever to reach room temperature.

I think I could do with some for me as I seem to have no patience at all with him at the moment as I feel he has used up the absolute last drop of my energy and calmness iykwim!

(((HUGS))) I do know what you mean, and so does every other mama reading this thread.
Some chamomile for you and babe it is then.
Lemon balm would be great too if you could get some - will help with feeling relaxed and calmer before bed.

Some impatiens flower remedy for you might be good too.

Starchild x

Alice x

Thanks for this thread! I'd never thought of giving toddlers herbal teas! I might try a chamomile with DS tomorrow  ;D