One cannot presume that all herbal preparations are safe and free from side effects. The other possibility of the soothing effect of gripe water could be due to its sweet taste. The high sugar content of gripe water can harm the erupting teeth. To foster a strong belief in this product, attractive advertisements including endorsements are prominently placed in the media. These advertisements need to be curbed and we should ensure that no promotion for infant foods or drinks other than breast milk is done.
Allopathic doctors should stop prescribing these non allopathic medications and laws should be made stringent to prevent over the counter access of the same. Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List J Pharmacol Pharmacother v.
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In fact, one study found that the majority of infants in India are given gripe water in the first 6 months of life by parents or caregivers. Depending on the brand, gripe water typically contains sodium bicarbonate as well as mixture of herbs like fennel, dill, ginger, chamomile, lemon, and peppermint.
Gripe water is readily available at most grocery stores and is administered in the form of drops from the included dropper. Previously, gripe water consisted of sugar and alcohol, sometimes in startlingly high amounts. Today, it tends to consist primarily of agave, purified water, and ginger flavor.
It's important to note that just like other herbal products, there is a lack of standardization of gripe water. So, it's important to discuss its usage with your child's doctor. Some people confuse gripe water with over-the-counter gas drops, but they are actually two very different products. Gas drops contain the anti-foaming agent, simethicone, which is designed to break up gas bubbles in the digestive tract and allow babies to pass gas.
Meanwhile, gripe water is a mixture of ingredients designed to soothe upset tummies. Gripe water is most often given to babies in the first year of life, as that is when symptoms of colic, excessive crying , or overall fussiness are most prevalent.
In most cases, a caregiver or parent decides to give a baby gripe water because they believe it will help alleviate colic. But there have been no studies examining the effect of gripe water on colic.
Sometimes parents will hear an anecdotal experience from someone else that gripe water helps with teething pain , fussiness, and gassiness. Some parents have even reported that gripe water can be useful in calming babies so that they start sleeping through the night.
If you are considering using gripe water, you should check with your child's pediatrician before administering the medication. No study has proven that gripe water works for any of its intended purposes.
In fact, all of the studies that have been done have shown that gripe water does not seem to be effective at all. For instance, a study done in India showed that there was no difference in the amount of crying between two groups of babies. The group of babies that received gripe water cried just as much and for just as long as the babies who did not.
The study also found that mothers and caregivers reported more vomiting and constipation in the infants who received the gripe water. When it comes to giving your baby gripe water, you should always check with your baby's pediatrician before using gripe water.
There are a number of factors that make gripe water a somewhat risky choice. Here is an overview of the top concerns. Because the ingredients in gripe water can vary, it's hard to issue a blanket statement against all gripe waters.
But overall, no one study has proven that gripe water is directly harmful to babies. However, there are ingredients in gripe water that can be a concern. For instance, gripe water is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration since it is a supplement and not a medication. Colic starts when a baby is around weeks old and may last until a baby is around 4 months old. Doctors do not know the exact cause of colic, but one explanation is that some babies are more sensitive to stimulation from their environment than others.
This overstimulation causes them stress , which in turn makes them cry. As the babies get a little older, they become better able to soothe themselves and cry less often. Other conditions, such as gassiness, can also cause a baby to cry in a similar way to a baby with colic.
Gripe water is a mixture of water, baking soda, and herbs that many parents use as a remedy for colic and stomach upsets in babies. In theory, these herbs should help ease gas, thus relieving the discomfort that is causing the baby to cry. Gripe water has been around for a long time. It was first used in the s in England to treat a malarial disease known as fen fever.
The original mixture of baking soda, alcohol, and herbs became popular with British mothers and nannies by the s. Many thought that gripe water helped calm a fussy baby, which is probably due primarily to the alcohol. Today, alcohol is not a component of gripe water as scientists know that giving alcohol to a baby can be extremely dangerous. Ingredients in gripe water vary by brand. All gripe waters contain a mixture of herbs and water. Most include sodium bicarbonate. When choosing a gripe water, parents should read the ingredients listed.
Some ingredients to avoid include:. Switching to a soy-based formula may soothe their stomachs and reduce symptoms, though this has only been shown in a few small studies. Excessive crying and fussiness can be distressing for both you and your baby. Fortunately, colic symptoms typically improve by ages 3 to 4 months.
While gripe water has not been shown to be an effective alternative for soothing colicky babies, it is probably safe. Excessive crying may be due to another problem. If your baby has colic, getting through the next weeks or months can be tough.
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