Fennel Tea for Breastfeeding Mums: Can It Really Help with Colic?
Mum & baby yoga class break time with fennel tea
Hey lovely, I see you.
If you’re reading this, it’s probably the middle of the night. Your little one is crying, wriggling, clearly uncomfortable—and you’ve found yourself frantically Googling for something, anything, that might help. I’ve been right where you are. My baby didn’t have colic exactly, but she had tummy troubles that left both of us exhausted, overwhelmed and desperate for answers. And in my role as Nanny, Maternity Nurse & Baby Massage instructor i’ve worked with many families suffering from colic.
So let’s talk about one of the most-searched natural remedies for baby tummy discomfort: fennel tea.
Why Fennel Tea?
Fennel has been used for centuries to support digestion, relieve wind, and soothe cramping—symptoms that many of us associate with colic. It’s a caffeine-free, gentle herbal tea with a mild aniseed taste that many mums (myself included) actually grow to love.
I always say: we’ll try just about anything if we think it’ll help our baby feel better. And for some, fennel tea has been that gentle magic.
What Is Colic Anyway?
You’ve likely heard the word tossed around a lot since becoming a parent. Colic is often defined by:
Intense, often inconsolable crying
Happening around the same time every day (typically evenings)
Lasting more than 3 hours, at least 3 days a week, for 3+ weeks
It’s heartbreaking. And while the exact causes of colic are still debated, many agree that trapped wind, immature digestion, a developing nervous system and overstimulation could all play a role.
How Does Fennel Tea Help?
Fennel is thought to work by relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract—anti-spasmodic and carminative properties that may reduce cramping and help trapped gas move through. For mums, drinking fennel tea can:
Soothe post-birth digestion
Calm bloating and gas
Support milk flow
Even more amazing: the beneficial properties of fennel may pass into your breast milk and reach your baby within 2–6 hours.
Breastfeeding? Here’s How to Use It
If your baby is under 6 months and exclusively breastfed, you drinking the tea is the safest and simplest route. For example, I’d drink a cup before bed, and by the 1/2am feed, it would already be in my milk. Her 3am discomfort started to ease soon after. Try this timing trick based on your baby's fussy period:
When Baby Struggles When You Should Drink Fennel Tea
Late evening (6–9pm) Around lunchtime
Early morning (3–6am) Before bedtime (9–10pm)
The time it takes for the fennel to reach your breast milk varies from person to peson so you may want to play around with these timings, alternatively you could sip on the tea throughout the day. It is good both hot and cold.
Formula Feeding or Not Breastfeeding?
Current UK guidelines recommend only milk before 6 months unless otherwise advised. That said, many parents use fennel tea in tiny amounts under healthcare guidance. There are even baby-specific fennel teas on the market.
Tips if you choose to try it:
Choose organic loose fennel seeds, this is better than using tea bags which are often bleached
Steep 1 tsp crushed seeds in boiling water for 10 mins
Let it cool completely
Offer just a teaspoon via spoon, syringe, or in a bottle
Observe and adjust—never replace a feed as baby needs all the nutrients they get from milk so only offer very small amounts at a time so they have enough space in their tummy for milk.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Here are some fennel tea options:
(These are affiliate links—same price for you, small thank you commission for me.)
My Honest Experience
I didn’t love the taste of fennel at first, but like many mums in my baby massage classes, I stuck with it—and now I genuinely enjoy it. Herbal teas have the added bonus of being drinkable lukewarm or cold, which is perfect when you’re constantly putting your cuppa down to deal with a baby!
Many parents in our classes reported noticeable improvements in their baby’s tummy troubles after drinking the tea in our baby massage and yoga classes and then went on to regularly drink fennel tea outside of class.
Combine It With Baby Massage
Fennel tea is just one piece of the puzzle. I truly believe in combining it with gentle baby massage, especially around the tummy & feet helps move wind and ease cramps—plus, it’s a beautiful bonding ritual.
💛 Join my online Baby Massage Course here and learn soothing, natural techniques you can use at home today. I have a short course specific for tummy troubles called Tummy Ease.
Final Thoughts
Is fennel tea a miracle cure? Maybe not. But when combined with a nurturing routine, gut-friendly food for you, and practical tools like massage, it can make a real difference.
Colic can be incredibly hard. If you're here, you're doing your best—and that’s more than enough. Please don’t forget to check latch, position & winding, speak to a feeding consultant, and investigate other possible causes (allergies, tongue tie, gastrointestinal disorders etc) as well as having it confirmed it is colic, which can be confused with reflux. If you’re worried, always consult a healthcare provider.
But also: trust your intuition. You know your baby better than anyone.
You’re not alone. It does get better.
With love,
Casey x
Mum to Olive, Baby Massage & Yoga Instructor, Infant Feeding Specialist, and Co-Founder of The Colic Clinic.
Disclaimer: Always speak to your GP or health visitor if you're concerned about your baby’s health. This blog is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice.