🔴AvoidCurated
Valerian Tea
Valerian root is a powerful sleep and anxiety herb, but it's generally recommended to avoid during breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data. With a newborn at home, sedating herbal supplements carry extra risk — both for you and potentially your baby.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has documented sedative effects and is used for insomnia and anxiety. LactMed lists valerian as having no well-controlled studies on its safety during breastfeeding. Some components may pass into milk and could theoretically have sedative effects on a nursing infant. Given the lack of safety data and the known sedative activity of the herb, most lactation authorities recommend avoiding it. Chamomile or lemon balm in occasional amounts are safer alternatives for mild relaxation support.
Safer Alternatives:
Always confirm with your doctor or lactation consultant before making dietary changes while breastfeeding.
Was this helpful?