Relax Your Baby With Gripe Water
Baby’s primary communication method is crying & you are the best person to recognize your baby’s cries.
While crying is not unusual, it can sometimes be excessive. This could indicate a problem such as teething, colic, or other issues.
Colicky babies may cry for hours at a time. Although it isn’t known exactly what causes colic some belief it to be due to stomach discomfort caused by gassiness.
Research shows that up to 28 percent of infant’s experience colic within the first three months of their lives. Colic is more common in infants younger than 6 weeks and less common after age 10-12.
Most infants outgrow colic by the age of 4months.
However, excessive crying or fussiness can cause problems in the family relationship between infant and parent. Parents might seek a solution because they are concerned about their child’s well-being.
There are many ways to soothe your baby. Many parents claim that gripe water, an herbal remedy for soothing babies, has helped them calm down. Gripe water can have side effects, and safety concerns.
We’ll be discussing what gripe water is, and whether it’s safe. Alternatives to gripe water are also discussed for colicky babies.
What’s Gripe Water?
Many over-the-counter remedies are available to relieve colic symptoms in babies. You may be concerned about certain ingredients.
You want to be able to trust the remedy you choose.
Gripe water, a herbal supplement, is available in liquid form. It can be purchased in grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores. Parents are able to purchase gripe water as a way to treat colic and gas pains.
There are many ways to make this, but the majority of formulas include a combination of various herbs.
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Chamomile
- Licorice
- Cinnamon
- Lemon balm
Babies who are unable to pass gas are more likely to feel stomach discomfort.
Some babies can cry for hours, sometimes over several days or even weeks. This remedy may be helpful in treating colic due to gassiness, as the herbs in Gripe Water are thought to aid digestion. This research was done mostly on adults and not infants.
Greasy waters may also contain sugar or flavoring agents in order to make the supplement more appealing. Some might even contain alcohol.
Sometimes, gripe water can also be used to treat hiccups and teething pain.
Is Gripe Water Baby-Safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers gripe water a dietary supplement and not a medication.
It does not require FDA approval before it can be marketed or sold to parents.
These products are safe up to the point they are found unsafe. Prescription medications, on the other hand, must be tested before they can be sold. Certain infant gripe water formulations have been recalled by the FDA because they contain alcohol. This is unsafe for babies.
Gripe water’s benefits are not well-proven. One study showed that 64%Trusted Source mothers in India gave their children gripe water. However, most infants who were given the supplement continued to cry.
Greasy water support is largely based on anecdotal information from parents. Many professional medical associations don’t recommend that parents use gripe water because of a lack in regulation and standardization.
Understanding gripe water’s contents will help you understand why gripe is not a good choice for your infant.
There are many types of gripe water. There are many traditional formulas that include sugar and alcohol. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and may cause problems with your baby’s eating habits.
However, gripe water formulas may contain alcohol, sugar and artificial flavor, but not all formulas. It is important that you only use gripe waters made for babies if you are going to be using it.
Always read the label. Some gripe water forms also contain peppermint and sodium bicarbonate.
Unless prescribed by a doctor, colicky babies shouldn’t be given sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. The natural pH level of your baby’s stomach can be affected by sodium bicarbonate. This can lead to too much acidity, which can worsen colic symptoms.
Be aware of gripe water that contains peppermint. It can worsen baby’s symptoms of reflux. Avoid drinking water that contains gluten, dairy, parabens and vegetable carbon.
Babies younger than one month old should not drink gripe water. At this age, the digestive tract is still developing and sensitive.
Parents should try other ways to soothe a crying baby before resorting to gripe water. Gripe water is not a good treatment option as the risks are often not worth the benefits.
How to Give Water to A Baby
Do not give your baby gripe water unless you have read the instructions. Only give your baby the recommended dose. This dosage should be confirmed with your baby’s healthcare professional.
Colic can cause pain that is intermittent and may worsen with each meal. To help prevent gas pain, you can give your baby gripe water right after each feeding.
Some babies enjoy gripe water’s pleasant taste. It is possible to combine gripe water with breast milk or formula. Although this is safe, it can cause problems for your baby’s health.
The medicine dropper should be placed directly into the baby’s mouth. Gently press the medicine dropper into the cheek. Let them swallow it slowly, before you give them more.
Side Effects of Gripe Water
Although gripe water is safe, there are safer options. It’s important to watch out for any signs of an allergic reaction if you give your baby gripe water. Different symptoms may indicate allergy symptoms.
Give your baby gripe water. Now, you need to check for:
- Hives
- Watery eyes
- Swelling of the tongue or lips
- Vomiting
- Itching
- A change in your breathing
You should immediately notify your doctor if you think you might have an allergic reaction.
Limit the amount of gripe water you give to your child within a 24-hour period. Stop giving gripe water to your child if they are not responding.
Other Ways You Can Soothe Your Baby
Gripe water can be used in conjunction with other soothing techniques.
These colic remedies can be used during colicky times to soothe your baby. They aren’t always effective, but they don’t cost much and pose very few risks.
Babies can be soothed by being wrapped in warm blankets and rocked back and forth. You can calm fussiness by providing soothing background sounds, such as white noise or calming music.
Babies under 6 months old can be carried in a chest-to-chest carrier. It can also help calm them if they are able to go for a stroll in a stroller or baby carrier. Parents and infants can find it relaxing to change the scenery. Your baby may also benefit from a short car ride.
Warm baths can be calming. Baby swings can be used to calm colicky babies for a few minutes.
These things may not work. Consider feeding changes.
Breastfeeding mothers may find that removing certain foods from their diet can reduce fussiness. However, studies have not shown a direct link.
You can eliminate these foods from your diet:
- dairy
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Soy
- Fish
- wheat
Before you change your diet, talk to your healthcare provider.
To reduce gassiness, make sure your baby stands straight during feedings. To ensure your baby doesn’t swallow any air, if you are feeding your baby from a bottle, make sure you stop.
To see if your baby notices a difference, you can also switch out the bottle. A bottle with an “anticolic” insert, or a curved one. These bottles can reduce the amount of gas your baby is consuming and help to lower their air intake.
Burping frequently may also help to reduce swallowed gas. Your child can be encouraged to stop for a few seconds during feeding and then encourage them to burp by gently patting their back.
A particular formula may sometimes cause irritable bowel syndrome. Formulas that contain cow’s milk may be more sensitive for some babies.
Although it has been proven to reduce symptoms and soothe stomach upsets, switching to a soy formula could help. However, this is only one small study. Before changing formulas, talk to your baby’s physician.
Takeaway
Both you and your baby can feel stressed if there is excessive crying or fussiness. Colic symptoms usually improve between the ages of 3 and 4 months.
Although gripe water is not proven to be an effective treatment for colicky babies it is safe. Talk to your baby’s doctor first. Follow the dosing instructions and read all labels carefully.
You should also consider other soothing methods. You should consult your doctor if your baby’s condition persists after you have tried different home remedies. You may have another issue if your baby is crying excessively.
It can be difficult for a baby with colic to get through the next few weeks or months. It’s okay to ask for help, especially when you are feeling frustrated or angry.
Talk to your partner about a plan that will allow you to share newborn duties. You can ask someone trusted to look after your baby for a few hours if you need it.
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