When your baby is suffering from gas and has been crying for what seems like hours, reaching for gripe water doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. But is it safe and effective or just an old wives’ tale? Here’s what you need to know before giving it to your baby.
So What Exactly Is It?
It’s not uncommon for babies to experience painful gas and bloating, and the herbal supplement gripe water has long been used to provide relief from these symptoms, as well as easing the discomfort caused by colic and teething. Starting as an alcohol-based home remedy, it is now sold in supermarkets and drug stores, and includes stomach-soothing ingredients such as ginger and fennel (without the alcohol now, thankfully).
The concern with the store-bought varieties is that they may contain other ingredients that you don’t want your baby to ingest, such as sweeteners, preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. Dr. Carole Gedenberg, a pediatrician in Boulder, Colorado, says that there are many formulations available that use these ingredients because the product is not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All-natural (and more expensive) versions are available, but you shouldn’t assume that these are better for your baby. Even if you’re making your own gripe water at home, it can be a problem if your child is allergic to herbs and spices.
“The jury is out on using [gripe water] to soothe your baby’s digestion,” says Linda Roberts, certified doula, childbirth educator and director of Belly Beautiful: Childbirth Education and Lactation Support. “It’s never a good idea to introduce herbs due to the possible side effects. It’s always best to talk to your pediatrician first.”
Does It Really Work?
Florida-based moms Lauren Castaldo and Patricia Bell both tried store-bought versions with their little ones, but had very different experiences. Castaldo found that it didn’t help her son’s gas, even though her mommy friends raved about it. “It smells gross and he didn’t like the taste straight,” she says. Bell, on the other hand, calls it a lifesaver. Her son suffered from digestive issues made worse by multiple formula changes. She says that a store-bought solution soothed him and stopped the crying. She found it so effective that she has used it with his four younger siblings.
What Are Some Alternative Solutions for Baby Gas?
Rather than running for the water, try gentle belly rubs and cycling your baby’s feet in a bicycle motion to relieve digestive discomfort, says Dr. Gedenberg. If parents must use store-bought or homemade gripe water to soothe their baby, she advises them to use it sparingly and make sure that it doesn’t contain honey or alcohol.
Mary Rainer, a licensed professional midwife with Birth Blossoms, says that many parents swear their baby is calmer after using gripe water, though she attributes it to another cause. “I’m not so sure there isn’t a real (albeit placebo) effect taking place — a more confident parent always has a greater ability to soothe a baby.”
Rachael Moshman, M.Ed., is a mom with decades of experience working with infants and their parents.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
