What is Gripe water for babies?
Gripe water is a traditional remedy against gas, colic, bloating and teething discomfort in infants. It’s available in liquid form in any chemist medical shop sold as dietary supplement. Being widely used since last 2 centuries and was believed to be accidentally made by an American Pharmacist William Woodward, who was surprised to see the soothing and relieving efficacy against gas and tummy related discomfort in new born babies.
The gripe water for babies, was first made using a combination of Alcohol, Sodium bicarbonate, and some combination of herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, dill oil, fennel, ginger, etc. These herbs were added to the formulation to relieve digestive problems in infants.
Woodward’s Gripe water for babies was the first well known brand, was first formulated in 1851, by William Woodward and his original formula was made using dill oil, sodium bicarbonate, sugar and water. The gripe water has gain immense popularity in the 19th century and proved as best remedy for all tummy related ailments and discomforts in babies due to gas, fussiness and indigestion.
In the 20th Century some manufacturers started adding alcohol in the formulation which was believed to enhance the calming and soothing effects. But, in 1992 England has restricted the use of alcohol in gripe water formulations keeping the safety of babies in mind. Later, in1993,
American formulations came with alcohol free formulations of gripe water for babies and better combination of herbs. This formulations were listed as a dietary supplement and not as medicine by the Foods & Drug Association (US).
While many parents still use this remedy for their babies, but its efficacy and safety still varies based on the formulation. The parents therefore must consult their health care professional before giving any over the counter medicine or supplement to their babies.
What is gripe water used for?
What does gripe water help with? This is most common question in moms who don’t know what actually gripe water is – a water or a medicine? For hiccups or gas? Just give it to a crying baby or some special symptoms to check for before giving.
The gripe water for babies actually helps in relieving stomach related discomfort which causes, gas and bloating, flatulence, indigestion, hiccups and reflux, etc. Thus, we can see, gripe water is used for multiple symptoms related to digestive discomfort in stomach. Below is the list of some symptoms which are relieved by giving gripe water:
- Gas and bloating, flatulence,
- Colic symptoms with continuous crying due to discomfort
- Hiccups
- Acid reflux
- frequently Spitting-out undigested milk
- insomnia and restlessness
- pain and irritation during teething
- improper digestion
- spasms of gastrointestinal tract
- mild constipation
- stomach discomfort during transition to solid foods
- irritated digestive tract
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How does gripe water work?
Gripe water is mastered formulation of different ingredients which serve their purpose as and when required in most safest way. The most common ingredients in latest formulations include:
- Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory properties and helps in easing digestive discomfort
- Dill seeds oil: Carminative agents, helps in releasing gas and flatulence
- Fennel seeds oil: Anti-spasmodic, helps in relieving spasms in gastro intestinal tract
- Lemon balm: Citrus flavor, and eases digestive tract
- Peppermint: have calming effect and relieves digestive tract from irritation.
- Ginger: anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties
- Cardamom: helps in digestion, reduces gas and bloating
- Carom seeds: helps in relieving digestive issues
Is gripe water safe?
Being natural and herbal, gripe water is the most trusted remedy with no side effects. But there are instances where it may show some allergic reactions, hives, watery eyes, itching, swelling and redness on lips, etc. These are not side effects but incompatibility with baby’s body. Such reactions and signs should be monitored after giving gripe water or even when trying any different brand of a different formulation.
Gripe water for babies: How to use?
Gripe water, as its available in bottles as transparent water like liquid with a water base. It is given with the help of spoon, dropper or a syringe. The gripe water dosage varies from brand to brand but most commonly the dosages are like 1/2 tsp thrice a day for 0-1 month old, 1tsp thrice a day for 1-6 months old, 2tsp thrice a day for 6-12 months old, and 2-3tsp thrice a day for 1year and above. In severe cases of gas, colic and tummy discomfort, the next dosage can be given at least after 2 hrs.
In some cases, one can go up to 6 doses in a day, but this can only be followed under a pediatricians supervision or recommendation. This dosage also depends on the age and weight of the baby.
How to give gripe water?
Gripe water can be given to babies and infants comfortably with the help of a spoon or a dropper. Take the required dosage in a spoon and directly give to the baby through mouth. Some gripe water contains sweetener and so the baby will like it. It should be given after 30 minutes of every feeding, thrice a day. The dosage given above, please refer.
When can you give baby gripe water?
Gripe water can be given to babies 30 mins after feeding. This can be given 3 to 6 times a day after every feeding, which depends on the severity of the case. The age of the baby determines the size of the dose to be given. Most of the formulations are made for babies older than a month. For babies younger than 1month it is not advisable to give on your own.
You must consult with a child specialist or a pediatrician. Sometimes it is recommended to give immediately after feeding, in cases of colic, where the baby may feel severe gas pain after feedings.
When can a baby have gripe water?
A baby can have gripe water when it shows symptoms of gas and bloating and discomfort in stomach. sometimes excessive spitting out of swallowed milk due to reflux or hiccups. Also, due to indigestion as the food pipe in new born babies are still developing and this reflux symptoms are common within first few weeks of birth.
Since, the gripe water is formulated with natural herbs which are beneficial for digestive health and relieving stomach discomforts, it is given with a limited doses for babies less than a month old.
Must Read,
✔️ Does Gripe water help with Constipation?
✔️ What is Gripe water used for in babies and infants?
How often can you give a baby gripe water?
Gripe water for babies can be given only as per the manufacturers recommendation and guidelines. This details are given on product label or packaging. This because different manufacturers has different formulations, and so according to manufacturers guidelines, thrice a day after feeding can be given to relieve babies digestive discomfort.
How much gripe water for a new born or 1 month old?
Most of the times, we should try to avoid anything by trying or experimenting specially won a 1month old child. But, as times and trust we can try Woodward’s gripe water for a month old baby. And the recommended dosage is about 1/2 tsp thrice a day after feeding for 0-1 month old.
How long does gripe water last?
The latest gripe water formulations are now included with preservatives like citric acid, sodium benzoate, etc. Such, products are made to have longer shelf life. This preservatives prevent growth of any micro-organisms and hence prevent spoilage.
But it should be noted that it contains natural herbs and spices, which may lose its effectiveness over the time. And so the efficacy against different symptoms you may get different result. As mentioned on product label, one should avoid exposure to direct light and heat. preferable temperatures at or below room temperature. However, refrigerating is not required or recommended.
When can you use gripe water?
When baby shows mild symptoms of gas and bloating unable to digest (No burps after feeding), colic symptoms like unconsolably crying, and discomfort due to teeth, this can also include hiccups and reflux symptoms.
With mild symptoms one can give gripe water to the baby. This may not be a direct remedy for certain symptoms, but indirectly provides relief from most of the stomach and digestion related discomfort in babies.
How long does gripe water take to work?
Gripe water is a natural trusted remedy and not a quick solution. The working of gripe water actually depends on the combination of the herbs and compounds used in the formulation. Mild symptoms can be relieved in first few minutes. While most of the discomfort and gas, bloating can be relieved within 30 minutes.
There are instances where people believed to give gripe water regularly to maintain the digestion and preventing constipation and reflux conditions in advance.
This can also be useful while traveling where baby needs to adjust the new climate and weather conditions, including air and water. And during post-vaccination periods which keeps the baby calm and relaxed with healthy and sound sleep.
How often to give gripe water?
As answered before, this depends on manufacturers dosage recommendations. As most of the manufacturers recommend thrice a day after feeding, which should be given at an interval of at least 2hrs gap in between. Sometimes, it can be advised upto 6 times a week.
In such conditions one should take professional advice before trying out things on their own. Always give priority to your baby’s health.
How quickly does gripe water work?
Gripe water is not an instant solution, its a natural remedy and so takes its own time. The baby when given gripe water may show quick relief from gas and fussiness. The other symptoms may need longer time for calming and relaxation of muscles in the digestive tract. Insomnia and loss of appetite and some mild symptoms of constipation may get relieved in the first few hours. This again depends on the formulation and efficacy of the product.
What does gripe water help with?
Gripe water helps to treat stomach and abdominal discomfort and issues like:
- releasing gas and colic pain
- improving digestion
- insomnia and restlessness
- irritable digestive tract
- hiccups and reflux
- poor bowel movements
- comforting during post-vaccination period
- irritation and pain during teething
What does gripe water do for babies?
Gripe water helps in relieving most of the tummy troubles in babies caused due to indigestion, gas and fussiness, hiccups and reflux, etc. Grip water being natural is safe and trusted remedy for all such gastric related ailments in babies. Apart from relief, it also promotes sound sleep and digestive support. Antispasmodic agents relaxes gastric muscles promoting healthy digestive system.
Can I give gripe water before feeding?
This depends on the symptoms as in colic discomfort, the baby might experience gas pain after feeding. So in such case, it can be given immediately after feeding. But giving before feeding will rule out the chances of relief to the upcoming discomfort as the gripe water may get neutralize or become ineffective to some extent and thus its efficacy may not be the same.
Also, the mechanism by which many carminative agents work is by reducing the surface tension of air bubbles in the stomach, because of which the gas bubbles combined to form a big gas bubble and gets broken down easily. This also avoids formation of new air bubbles. As a result, it helps in releasing gas and relieve the discomfort.
When to give gripe water to breastfed baby?
Gripe water is generally given 30 minutes after breast feeding. During this period baby should be kept in upright position and help them to burp. The burping indicates the digestion taking place. This burping helps in preventing reflux and hiccups in babies and promotes proper digestion.
How fast does gripe water work?
Depending on the symptoms to be relieved, the actual time may vary. For gas and bloating, the relief can be seen within 20 to 30 minutes. But as far as colic and teething discomfort and irritable digestive tract, it may require frequent dosages for days, as recommended by a physician.
