Your question on the teas caught my eye, for even though I am a "Hispanic," it
would be difficult to give you an answer about the particular tea you are
talking about.  I worked as a nurse-educator and LC in St. Louis and came across
many different teas, some made in the US, others brought in from various Latin
American countries.  It would be difficult if not impossible to give an answer
to what the tea contained  and its safety without an analysis.  That is because
what one group calls the tea may be very different from what another group calls
it.
        Other concerns I have with the teas include those identified in other
messages:  1.  Many drugs come from natural sources, and the tea may be a drug
that is not identified yet - we may know that it calms a baby, but what are the
risks?  2.  If the tea is given in a bottle, then I have the same concerns as
with water or glucose  bottles - using a nipple that is not mom's, filling a
baby with something not as nourishing, replacing a breast feeding, and
increasing the number of wet diapers without the reassurance of adequate intake.
I explain these concerns to the mom and let her decide whether to give her baby
the tea or not.

        And while I am on the subject, I'd like to increase the "Cultural
sensitivity" of our 'net : You have all shown great tolerance and respect for
others' cultures and ideas, so what follows is not in any way to be considered a
criticism - I hope to be adding to your knowledge and sensitivity:
        Hispanics, as a group -  aren't.  I mean, that we don't consider
ourselves Hispanics in any other sense than the need to put a check mark on that
question in the census lists.  We consider ourselves very different from each
other - Mexicans, Dominicans, Venezuelans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans...  Yes, we
speak Spanish (though each with our own accents and rhythms), and our ancestors
came from Spain.  But our histories, cultural-combinations (Spanish plus natives
plus the black slaves from Africa which creates a very different combination in
each area of Latin America), and styles are very different.  We often use a
different word for the same item (just like "nappies" vs "diapers") - especially
for foods.  So it is very important when talking to moms from Latin American
countries, that we ask specifically to see what they are talking about if
possible...
        So, when you mark Hispanic, you may want to add to your note - Cuba or
Columbia, Mexico, etc.  This will increase your sensitivity and awareness of
their particular culture.  Some women may be shy about stating what country they
are from, especially if they are illegals - but most are proud of their country
of origin and love it deeply, even if they had to leave it to survive.  Puerto
Ricans have the bonus of being US citizens, which makes it easier to travel back
and forth (which we do - ask American Airlines!), but we are no less proud of
our own culture, language and history.
        Just as people from England, the US, Canada and Australia all speak
English but have their own heritage and  way of speaking (and don't want to be
lumped into a single group), so are the Latin Americans.

Now - Bajate de esa caja - Get off the soapbox -
Jeanette Panchula, BSW, LLLL, RN, IBCLC
Puerto Rico - where it's in the 80's at 7:50 pm - and I can't wait to get my
arms around those two college kids who are coming home for Christmas!