Last Updated on March 27, 2023 by Jada Glover
There are so many teas on the market for breastfeeding mothers. Some promise weight loss so you become slimmer after having your baby, while others promise to increase your milk supply.
In this post, we are going to dive into the best weight loss tea for breastfeeding moms.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and that means that I may earn a commission if you buy something (at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure here. I only recommend products I use and love and recommend to my clients.
What Is Weight Loss Tea?
Weight loss tea is marketed in the health and wellness industry to help women lose weight. Sometimes this can mean after having a baby.
Because most companies don’t specialize in breastfeeding moms, you have to be wary of what they are marketing versus the reality of the actual benefits and contents of the teas on the market. Some teas may even say they “burn fat overnight”.
Please be realistic with your expectations and use common sense when reading some of the marketing claims that accompany weight loss teas. Most weight loss tea will contain herbs that may help to promote a faster metabolism and break down fats more easily.
Can I Drink Weight Loss Tea While Breastfeeding? Is It Safe?
Yes, you can drink weight loss tea while breastfeeding, but you want to be aware of what herbs and other substances are in the tea. They could have adverse effects on you, your milk supply, or your baby’s digestive tract.
Look at every single ingredient in any tea before you purchase it. Some companies even try to put in substances that will increase our heart rate (like ephedra-related ingredients, yerba mate, etc.), which is not healthy.
Stay away from those. We only want natural substances for weight loss tea while breastfeeding.
Herbs To Avoid In Weight Loss Teas
Some herbs can actually deplete your milk supply. In the same way that galactagogues increase your milk supply, an anti-galactagogue is a substance that decreases milk production.
It is important you stay away from teas with the below herbs, especially if you are drinking 2-3 cups a day which most tea brands will recommend to see the full benefit.
Herbs that may be found in teas that can cause a decrease in breast milk supply include:
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Oregano oil (not usually the spice)
- Jasmine flower
The occasional peppermint candy or sage-inspired food dish will not likely cause a decrease in milk supply. However, eating these herbs in large quantities over a long period of time could.
It is something to be aware of when you’re looking at the ingredients in weight loss tea for breastfeeding mothers. If you do suspect a loss of supply from an herb you may be drinking or eating, simply remove it from your diet.
You should see an increase in your supply again. If not, read these tips for increasing your milk supply fast.
Sometimes herbs in large quantities can cause tummy discomfort in breastfeeding mothers and/or babies. Be on the lookout for extra fussiness, diarrhea, throwing up, constipation, or any other related stomach issue.
If you suspect these symptoms are being caused by the weight loss tea for breastfeeding mothers you are drinking, be sure to discontinue use. Avoid teas that are marketed as detoxing as you really want to avoid any sort of harsh detoxing while breastfeeding. Remember, toxins released from your body can end up in your milk supply for your baby.
The Best Weight Loss or Slimming Tea For Breastfeeding Mothers
Because weight loss is often at the forefront of most moms’ minds after having their baby, it’s important to recognize that it is a gradual process of losing the weight. You can use herbal or slimming teas if they contain safe herbs and substances while breastfeeding.
Always start with a cup or two per day. Gradually increase the amount to ensure you and your baby do not have any adverse reactions.
Some teas may only be single ingredient teas, but they offer plenty of support for healthy weight loss and milk supply. Be sure to choose reputable brands when searching for weight loss tea for breastfeeding mothers.
If you are purchasing on marketplaces like Amazon, these brands source their herbs from reputable farms and have safe practices. The weight loss teas linked in this post are brands that I have used and I recommend for breastfeeding moms.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea, sometimes called “red tea”, is a great tea that boosts your immune system and decreases inflammation in the body. It is also naturally caffeine free.
There is an element in rooibos tea called aspalathin that is helps to reduce stress hormones that trigger hunger and fat storage. This is a huge benefit to new moms or breastfeeding moms that are often stress from daily life and baby caretaking.
There was a researcher that used rooibos tea to calm colicky infants – and it worked! There are now tinctures that use rooibos extract to aid colicky babies.
Red rooibos tea is also a safe one to drink during pregnancy (up to 2 cups a day). This is one that I often drank to keep my immune system functioning optimally.
Stay away from any rooibos tea varieties that include senna as a “natural laxative” as it can also have that effect on your baby. I’m sure you don’t want to deal with diarrhea diapers and tummy cramping. The one linked here only includes the rooibos plant so it is a good choice.
Oat Straw Tea
Oat straw tea is a great choice for breastfeeding moms. Oats are considered a food that increases milk production.
Oat straw tea offers support for balancing your blood sugar, calming your nervous system, and reducing inflammation. Oat straw tea is caffeine free and can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Blessed Thistle
Blessed thistle tea may improve your digestion, keeping your bowel movements regular. This can help with detoxifying and removing waste from your body.
It is also considered a diuretic, which can help to reduce inflammation temporarily due to a loss of water weight. If taken in high doses, it may cause gastric irritation. It is considered a galactagogue and can help to increase milk supply on its own or with fenugreek.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha tea is a tea that supports milk supply and slimming you down while breastfeeding. It has been found to lower blood sugar and fat. It also improves sleep and reduces stress levels.
Ceylon Cinnamon Tea
If you enjoy a spicy tea, then Ceylon Cinnamon Tea may be a good choice. With its weight loss, immune-boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties, it can help your body stay in its best shape.
It may help you lose body fat, especially around the waistline. It is pretty easy to add to your diet and you can purchase tea bags or use cinnamon sticks.
There are a few types of cinnamon, so be sure you’re choosing the right one for your goals. You can also add the Ceylon cinnamon powder to your smoothies or coffee for similar benefits.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is a detoxifying tea that has many benefits. A study performed on dandelion recently found that it has a natural anti-obesity type effect in the body by blocking the enzyme that breaks down fats.
Dandelion leaves are a good iron source and support your thyroid. Dandelion also aids in digestion and provides an anti-cancer effect in the body. The bonus with this one is that it is also a milk-boosting herb.
Organic Skinny Natural Tea
Organic Skinny Natural Tea contains oolong tea, ginger, and cinnamon. This combination is a fat burner combination that will turn up your metabolism, help you feel full longer, and suppress your appetite.
This does contain caffeine (oolong), so keep that in mind when consuming more than a cup or two a day.
DIY Iced Tea
If you’re looking for a combination tea that you can make yourself and enjoy iced or hot, try this tea recipe containing fennel, raspberry leaves, and nettle leaves. The combination of these three herbs are not only great for reducing inflammation and digestive health, but they are also great for lactation support.
Fennel is great for reducing hunger by keeping you fuller for longer. Red raspberry leaf is known for increasing metabolism and decreasing fat. Nettle is known for helping to reduce your appetite.
2 fennel tea bags + 2 raspberry tea bags + 2 nettle leaf tea bags
Place the tea bags in a 2-quart mason jar. Let steep in hot water for 10 minutes and then remove the tea bags. You can drink it hot or enjoy over ice. If you prefer it slightly sweet, add honey or a little sugar to it while still hot.
Can I Drink Herbal Tea For Weight Loss While Breastfeeding?
Yes, you can drink herbal tea for weight loss while breastfeeding. As mentioned before, stay away from the main herbal offenders that could cause a decrease in your milk supply like peppermint, sage, jasmine flower, and oregano oil.
Senna leaves are often included in herbal slimming teas, which is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers due to the laxative effect it can also have on your baby. So, avoid teas that include senna.
Herbal teas can taste bitter depending on the types of herbs included, so you may try adding raw honey, stevia, or a little bit of coconut sugar to your hot tea.
Is Green Tea Safe While Breastfeeding?
Yes, green tea is safe while breastfeeding when drinking it in moderation. Keep in mind, an 8 ounce cup of green tea contains 30-50 mg of caffeine.
Although less than a typical cup of coffee (80-100 mg per cup), drinking too many cups of green tea could put you over the recommended daily amount of caffeine for breastfeeding moms.
It is recommended that breastfeeding moms not consume more than about 200-300 mg of caffeine per day. Some babies are affected negatively by caffeine while others are not.
Sometimes excess caffeine can cause extra fussiness, colic, and irritability because your baby can’t rest or sleep comfortably or wakes more often than normal. Discontinue green tea or extra caffeine in your diet if you notice this in your baby.
Is Green Tea Good For Weight Loss For Breastfeeding Moms?
Green tea can be helpful for weight loss for breastfeeding mothers because it offers a boost to your metabolism. There are compounds in green tea contain hormones that help fat cells break down.
Green tea extract (often contained in fat loss supplements) is also known to increase fat burning, especially during exercise. If you add sweeteners to it, just be sure to consider that in terms of how many calories and grams of sugar you’re eating per day if you’re trying to lose weight while breastfeeding.
If you are breastfeeding and looking to lose weight postpartum, try out some of the weight loss teas for breastfeeding mothers listed above.
While no tea is going to instantly help you lose 50 pounds overnight, the teas included in this post are meant to safely support healthy weight loss while breastfeeding. It is important to watch out for herbs or ingredients that may cause tummy problems in you or your baby or reduce your milk supply.
I prefer teas with limited ingredients/herbs so you can truly assess whether they are working for you and rule out any adverse effects.
Finally, if you are looking to lose weight while breastfeeding the healthy way, check out my Postpartum Weight Loss Program for Breastfeeding Moms.
The 10 Best Drinks That Increase Breast Milk Supply