What Is a Nursing Tea? What Is in It and How to Use It
By the Secrets of Tea team | Last updated 2026-10-26
A nursing tea is a caffeine free herbal tea made for breastfeeding mothers. Blends often use herbs such as fennel, fenugreek, blessed thistle or lemongrass that mothers have traditionally used while nursing. Research on whether they raise milk supply is limited, so think of it as a warm, hydrating routine beside frequent feeding.
Key takeaways
- A nursing tea is a herbal blend traditionally used by nursing mothers. It is not a medicine.
- The 2020 Cochrane review rated the evidence for herbal milk boosters as very low certainty.
- Frequent, effective feeding or pumping matters most for supply. Tea is an add on.
- Check the label, and ask your doctor or a lactation consultant if you take medication or have allergies.
What is a nursing tea?
It is a herbal tea blend sold for breastfeeding mothers, also called a lactation tea or breastfeeding tea. Most are caffeine free. The herbs in them have a long history of traditional use by nursing mothers, which is where the name comes from.
What is in a nursing tea?
Blends vary a lot, so read the ingredient list on every box. Herbs you will often see:
- Fennel, a seed with a sweet, licorice like taste.
- Fenugreek, a seed used in many traditional lactation blends.
- Blessed thistle, a bitter herb often paired with fenugreek.
- Lemongrass, a bright, citrus tasting grass.
- Chamomile or lemon balm, often added for a calming cup.
The Cochrane review lists possible side effects for some of these herbs, such as digestive upset or allergy, so the label matters.
Does a nursing tea work?
The honest answer is that nobody knows for sure. The 2020 Cochrane review of oral galactagogues found extremely limited, very low certainty evidence. Some small studies hint at benefits for milk volume, but they differ too much to trust. The Australian Breastfeeding Association says these herbs help most when combined with frequent and effective milk removal.
How do you make a nursing tea?
Follow the directions on your pack. For our Lemongrass Lactation Tea the pack says to steep one tea bag in 8 oz of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes and enjoy 1 to 3 servings a day. Many mothers keep the same times each day, for example after morning feeds, mid afternoon and evening, so the routine is easy to keep.
What matters more than the tea?
The University of Rochester breastfeeding medicine team says no milk booster works very well if the breasts are not being emptied. A simple plan helps:
- Feed or pump at least 8 times in 24 hours, as breastfeeding groups advise.
- Ask someone to watch a feed and check the latch.
- Drink to thirst, eat regular meals and rest when you can.
Who should ask first?
Talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant before starting any herbal tea if you:
- take medication or have a health condition,
- have allergies, including to peanuts or other legumes,
- are pregnant again,
- notice any change in how you or your baby feel after drinking it.
Where does our Lemongrass Lactation Tea fit?
Our Lemongrass Lactation Tea is a caffeine free, USDA organic blend of 14 botanicals traditionally used by nursing mothers, with lemongrass as the lead flavor. It comes in a box of 20 pyramid tea bags, up to 40 cups. Read the full ingredient list on the box or the product page. See Lemongrass Lactation Tea
When should you see a lactation consultant?
- Your baby is not gaining weight or has few wet diapers.
- Feeding hurts, or the latch looks shallow.
- You have used a tea for about 2 weeks and are still worried.
Many hospitals and WIC offices offer a lactation consultant free. Our guide to does lactation tea work covers the studies, and how long does lactation tea take to work covers timing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a nursing tea?
A caffeine free herbal tea made for breastfeeding mothers, using herbs traditionally used while nursing, such as fennel, fenugreek, blessed thistle or lemongrass.
Is nursing tea the same as lactation tea?
Yes. Nursing tea, lactation tea and breastfeeding tea are different names for the same kind of herbal blend.
How many cups of nursing tea a day?
Follow the pack. Our Lemongrass Lactation Tea says 1 to 3 servings a day. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant before changing amounts.
Does nursing tea contain caffeine?
Most do not. Ours is caffeine free. Always check the label.
Can I drink nursing tea while pregnant?
Nursing blends are made for breastfeeding. During pregnancy, ask your doctor or midwife before any herbal tea.
Sources: 2020 Cochrane review of oral galactagogues, Australian Breastfeeding Association, University of Rochester breastfeeding medicine.
