Study: Many Babies Get Herbal Products

Many U.S. mothers give their babies herbal teas or supplements, a new study finds. The study was based on a survey of 2,600 mothers. About 9% said they gave such supplements to their infants. The study included a higher percentage of white mothers than the country’s population. Researchers estimated that the true proportion of babies getting these products is 3% to 10%. Supplements were used most often for colic. These included chamomile tea and gripe water. Products also were used for fussiness, stomach problems and other conditions. The authors said there is a potential for harm in these products. The United States has little regulation of their quality or safety. The journal Pediatrics published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it May 2.