How (And When) to Give Gripe Water to a Newborn Baby
Crying may not be the most pleasant thing to listen to, but it is a baby’s main form of communication. While crying is totally normal, there will be times that they do so a bit excessively, despite being fed and changed. If they’re teething or experiencing colic, they could cry for hours a day. That’s no fun for anybody!
However, there’s a way to soothe your baby using a herbal remedy called “gripe water”. It’s growing in poularity, but what exactly is gripe water? We’re about to get into the ins and outs so you can make the best decision for you and your little one.
What is Gripe Water?
Gripe water is an over-the-counter herbal supplement typically in liquid form that’s made to help ease symptoms of gas, colic, hiccups, and general fussiness in infants. When it comes to babies, however, you want to be sure that it’s safe.
While there are many variations, most gripe water formulas contain some mix of the following ingredients:
Fennel
Ginger
Chamomile
Licorice
Cinnamon
Lemon Balm
These ingredients have been proven to help ease gastrointestinal discomfort when babies experience gas, and it’s thought that they can also help with digestion. Some gripe water formulas add sugar and artificial flavoring agents as well, which you may want to steer clear of.
Is Gripe Water Safe?
It’s important to note that gripe water is considered a dietary supplement, not a medication by the FDA. You may want to try some other tips to calm your baby before trying it, but it is generally considered to be safe. However, there have been certain released formulations that include alcohol, which as you can probably guess, is not safe for babies.
Currently, since the FDA doesn’t consider gripe water a medication, there aren’t many studies about the effects. Sports supplements are in a similar situation - while they’re generally safe to use, there will be that one supplement or brand every now and then that makes people think twice about it. However, the chances are still pretty slim that any adverse reaction occurs.
Our advice?
Just look at the ingredients listed on the packaging. We recommend avoiding any formulation that includes alcohol, sugar, artificial flavors, and sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as “baking soda”, should be avoided unless your physician specifically prescribes it. This is because it can mess with the delicate pH levels in the stomach, which can potentially worsen the symptoms of colic. To be safe, we always recommend checking with your pediatrician.
How to Give Gripe Water to Newborn Baby
Once again, make sure you have approval from your newborn’s doctor before giving them gripe water, and read the instructions once you have the green light.
When can I use gripe water for a newborn? Wait until your baby is at least a month old. When administered properly, it’s a gentle way to help soothe your baby and ease colic, gas, and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Most high-quality products will come with a no-spill syringe and bottle top adapter to make administering gripe water to your baby easy. Before giving it to them, shake the liquid well, follow the package directions, and fill the syringe accordingly.
It’s usually recommended to never give gripe water to little ones under 2 weeks old or less than 7 pounds. Never dilute it in any other liquid such as water or milk. Instead, administer it directly into your baby’s mouth by using a syringe, dropper, or slow-flow bottle nipple.
Using the syringe, slowly dispense a few drops toward the side of their inner cheek. Allow them enough time to swallow the drops before administering more. Plan on it taking several minutes for them to consume all of the gripe water serving.
Potential Side Effects
Even the healthiest or safest of products can cause side effects in babies, as they are at a particularly delicate time in their lives. While gripe water consists of generally gentle ingredients, you may notice that your baby becomes sleepy after taking it.
If they’re suffering from colic or gas, they could be tired because of the stress and tension it’s caused. As the gripe water relieves them, they can finally relax and recuperate. If you had a stomach-ache that had been keeping you awake that disappeared all of a sudden, we bet you’d be dozing off too!
If your baby experiences watery eyes, swelling of the lips or tongue, vomiting, itchiness, a change in breathing, or any other negative side effects, seek medical attention right away.
FAQs
Does gripe water help immediately? Yes, gripe water helps almost immediately after the full dose is given to your baby.
When can I use gripe water for a newborn? Consult your pediatrician, but generally, you should always wait until your baby is 2 to 4 weeks old (at least) or after they weigh at least 7 pounds.
Do you give gripe water before or after feeding? You can give newborns gripe water immediately after feedings to help them avoid gas pain and discomfort. Gripe water typically tastes pretty good, so babies take it without issue.
Track Your Baby’s Health, Sleep, and Eating with Baby Connect
Tracking your infant’s behaviors like how much and when they sleep, when they experience colic, when they need changing, and when they eat can make an enormous difference. You’ll find that you are playing the guessing game less, and can prepare more effectively.
A tracking app like Baby Connect can help you do exactly that, all from the convenience of your smartphone. If other caregivers have the app as well, you can give them access to your baby’s profile so there’s no questioning what they like and what their current habits are.
When they go to the pediatrician, you’ll be able to provide them with detailed records, as well. It’s everything you need to know about your baby, organized in one simple app. Try it for free today!
