Written by Editorial Team
There is nothing worse than seeing a crying baby who doesn’t seem to stop. To top it all, if it’s not for hunger, sleep or diaper change and it’s painful, then the parents can feel helpless. One such cry is when the baby is colic. Colic is the most distressing situation for both the baby and the mother. Gripe water for babies is an effective remedy for this.
Colic is a situation in which the baby keeps crying consistently for a few hours and its cause is not known, strangely no medications are available as well. However, herbal treatment in the form of gripe water works wonders. Since it contains Dill and bicarbonate of soda, gripe water is helpful in breaking down the trapped bubbles of gas that caused colic. Read on to know more.
In This Article
Gripe water is used for curing colic situations and also a few gastric ailments related to the intestines. It’s a herbal treatment that is sold in liquid form and comes in a number of variants. Natural gripe water is made from herbs like aloe vera, anise seeds, cardamom, chamomile, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, purified water, and glycerin – all of which help the baby to pass gas.
Gripe water aids in digestion, softens the muscles, and makes the baby feel comfortable if they are gassy. The gripe water helps in getting rid of gas or wind. Additionally, it can be even used for comforting teething pain, consistent hiccups, or bloating.
Gripe water can be safely given to the baby as early as one month after birth. Since milk is the main food of the tiny infant, flatulence, gastric trouble, and bloating are common. The baby’s digestive system is still developing and doesn’t have enough good bacteria that can streamline digestion. Gripe water is a unique herbal preparation effective in treating these tummy ailments.
Due to the presence of ingredients such as soda bicarbonate and artificial sweeteners, many doctors do not recommend giving gripe water to babies. But, if you want to give this to your little one, strictly stick to the dosage and instructions mentioned on the pack. You can also consult your pediatrician on the right dose you can safely give to your baby.
Drops such as colicaid are another alternative parents can consider for their babies who are struggling with colic. These medicated drops can be given after consulting your pediatrician who will advise you when you can give it and how much dosage is ideal.
Gripe water should be given to babies when they start feeling pain. Generally, the gripe water should be given half an hour after the baby has taken the feed or when the baby starts feeling restless. It is advisable to wait for half an hour after the feed is over as it aids in the digestion of food.
However, if a baby is not able to take the feed due to gastric trouble, in that case, the gripe water can be given prior to feeding.
The reason behind colic is not scientifically proven, yet it is supposed to be caused by stomach pain or gastric trouble. Doctors do not however have a remedy for the same, but many parents use gripe water to cure colic and gas troubles instantly. And, it seems to work for them.
The liquid in the gripe water consists of a few drops of ginger, fennel seeds, and a concoction of sodium bicarbonate and these contribute to comfort under nauseatic/discomforting conditions caused by gas or any form of colic. It is believed that gripe water works in a span of five minutes once given.
The gripe water box has a dropper provided which should be used. It is important that the baby is sitting straight or when lying down the head should be tilted at an angle. This will prevent the risk of choking on the gripe water. Then turn the baby’s head to one side and drop the liquid slowly inside the baby’s cheek at the side of the mouth. Gripe water should ideally be given to a baby from six weeks to three months or till the baby surpasses abdominal discomfort stage. Find more about giving gripe water to babies here.
Gripe water is an herbal cure and contains a mixture of the following herbs:
Gripe water also contains sugar, water, sodium bicarbonate, and dill oil. Traditionally gripe water contained alcohol but later, as doctors and parents started objecting, the ingredient was completely removed.
All the brands of gripe water currently available in India are alcohol free.
To be extra-cautious, parents can choose a brand of gripe water that is alcholo free and doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners.
Gripe water can be given to the infant or the baby about three times a day, 1.5ml each. This can only be done if the weight of the child exceeds 3.17 Kgs. Avoid giving daily if the baby gets uncomfortable. If there are no symptoms of gases, it is not mandatory to give the gripe water to the baby.
You must consult a doctor before giving your baby gripe water and make sure to stick to the recommended dosage only. Refrain from giving gripe water to babies less than 1 month of age as their digestive system is not yet developed to handle this herbal preperation.
Here are some simple tips that will help you in selecting the best gripe water for your tiny bundle of joy:
Gripe water has been in existence for a long and is also considered effective to relieve colic pains and teething or even bloating.
However, it is not devoid of the few side effects as below:
Your baby might be allergic to any of the ingredients so look out for any of these symptoms such as itchiness, watery eyes, difficulty in swallowing, swelling on the tongue or lips, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty in breathing. If any of these symptoms are found after giving gripe water, immediately consult your doctor
The gripe water is potentially known to cure discomfort arising from an upset tummy, but it also disturbs the innate acidity of the stomach if used persistently.
The composition of sugar in gripe water can result in cavity issues and even tooth decaying problems.
If one is not comfortable giving gripe water to kids, different alternatives which can be sought to provide comfort to the baby are:
Thus, we can say that gripe water should be taken as a last resort because medical science has still not proved its safety for babies. However, parents can use it as a comforter as nothing soothes the disturbing parents when the baby sleeps peacefully.
It is advisable to wait 30 minutes after eating before giving infants grape water. However, you may provide gripe water immediately after feedings if the infant becomes gassy as a result of eating too quickly or gulping air during feeding.
When parents give their infants gripe water, they may find that their infants start to drift off to sleep. This is because infants with colic, intense pain, or gas typically get overtired from the stress they’ve been through. Gripe water provides welcome comfort, allowing them to finally catch some sleep.
Gripe water has the maximum effect when given itself, so do not mix it with formula or breast milk. Most gripe waters have a pleasant, sweet taste and are liked by babies.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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