star anise?

Question

a friend of mine has a 2 week old breast fed baby who is beginning to get very gassy and constipated, her mother-in-law suggested using star anise as a tea to ease her stomach discomfort. Is this tea safe for the baby? My friend is very hesitant to use it on her baby.

Answer 1

Star anise is a traditional remedy for gas and colic symptoms, BUT here is an advisory against using it:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00941.html

I wouldn't recommend it, considering this info, although I normally am a proponent of using natural remedies rather than synthetic chemicals for babies.

Constipated means that the stools are solid, hard, and very painful to pass. If the problem is just that the baby isn't pooping as often, that isn't necessarily anything to be alarmed about as long as the poops are still mustardy and somewhat creamy.

My preferred remedy for colicky symptoms was Hyland's colic tablets. They also have teething tablets, earache tablets, and other natural, safe remedies for babies. I call them little miracle pills, because IME they worked so well.

The suggestion about dairy sensitivity or allergy is also a good thought. If the baby's poops are greenish, or frothy/foamy in texture, or have tiny specks of blood in them, this can be a sign of dairy allergy as well. Also, a reddish rash on the cheeks, or any patches of eczema elsewhere, can be a sign. If this is the case, the mom should talk to her dr. about a dairy elimination diet to see if the symptoms improve.

I hope this is helpful!

Answer 2

Personally, I would never give anything like that to a two week old baby, I think that your friend is right to be hesitant. I know that little tummies gas relief drops really worked well for my son when he was a newborn, and came highly recommended by his pediatrician.

My son was also very constipated, I tried using Karo syrup in a bottle mixed with water (he was also breastfed), and that didn't work. Finally I resorted to using glycerin suppositories (I bought the youth sized ones, and used a razor to cut it), just a tiny peice is all that you need. However, I only used the suppositories as a last resort because there is a danger in little ones becoming dependant on them.

Answer 3

The whole stars can be added directly to your roasting pot. In slow cooked or simmered dishes, star anise is usually added whole and discarded before serving. The olive oil will "pick-up" the flavour of the star anise.

Answer 4

We had this problem( breastfeeding) , and the midwife advised we use Infacol. I'm sorry I have no info on star anise. ( The name just reminds me of that singer Skunk Annansie)

M : )

Answer 5

She should call her doctor before giving something unknown to her baby. I know my nephew didn't do much pooping doctor said it was because there was less waste from mother's milk.

Answer 6

Ask your doctor. I've used mylicon drops & they work.

Answer 7

Tell her to try eliminating dairy from her diet. Her babe may be reacting to it.... are her poops hard?