How Safe Is Gripe Water For Babies?

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T a b l e Of C o n t e n t s :

F i v e – y e a r – o l d Alisa i s perfectly h e a l t h y . But w h e n she t u r n s colic s h e is u n c o n t r o l l a b l e , leaving h e r first-time m o t h e r Hana w o r r i e d . During o n e such e p i s o d e , Alisa’s g r a n d m a gave t h e baby g r i p e water, a n d surprisingly s h e stopped c r y i n g . However, H a n a was n o t convinced. S h e wasn’t s u r e if g r i p e water i s safe f o r babies.

S i n c e generations, w e have b e e n using g r i p e water f o r babies, b u t we d i d n ’ t know i f it i s good f o r the l i t t l e ones. M o m J u n c t i o n gives y o u a b r i e f background o n gripe w a t e r , and t e l l s you a b o u t its e f f e c t i v e n e s s and m o s t importantly i t s safety.

W h a t Is G r i p e Water?

G r i p e water i s a w a t e r – b a s e d , over-the-counter d i e t a r y supplement s o l d as a tonic t o soothe c o l i c , indigestion, t e e t h i n g pain, f l a t u l e n c e and h i c c u p s in b a b i e s .

G r i p e Water C o m p o s i t i o n

T h e original W o o d w a r d gripe w a t e r was c o m p o s e d of w a t e r , dill o i l , sodium b i c a r b o n a t e , sugar a n d 3.6% a l c o h o l . It i s believed t h a t Woodward c h o s e the w o r d ‘gripe’ b e c a u s e back i n 19th c e n t u r y Britain, g a s t r o e n t e r i t i s was r e f e r r e d to a s watery g r i p e s (1).

I n modern t i m e s , most m a n u f a c t u r e r s have d r o p p e d alcohol a s an i n g r e d i e n t due t o objection f r o m medical p r a c t i t i o n e r s and p a r e n t s . However, s o m e brands s t i l l use i t .

T h e other i n g r e d i e n t s stay t h e same, i n c l u d i n g sugar, b u t could d i f f e r based o n the c o u n t r y where t h e gripe w a t e r is m a n u f a c t u r e d . A f e w brands h a v e been u s i n g artificial s w e e t e n e r s that c a n be h a r m f u l to y o u r baby.

I s Gripe W a t e r Safe?

T h e r e is n o scientific e v i d e n c e to p r o v e that g r i p e water i s safe o r unsafe f o r the b a b y . Its i m p a c t is s u b j e c t i v e . Whereas m a n y mothers h a v e found g r i p e water h e l p f u l , some f o u n d it o f no s i g n i f i c a n t benefit t o the b a b y but n o t necessarily u n s a f e .

N e v e r t h e l e s s , the o r i g i n a l formula o f gripe w a t e r contained 3 . 6 % alcohol, w h i c h is d e f i n i t e l y bad f o r your b a b y ’ s health. G r i p e water w a s formulated i n an e r a when t h e r e was l i t t l e scientific r e s e a r c h on t h e side-effects o f various e d i b l e items o n a b a b y . By l a t e 20th c e n t u r y , there w a s significant p r o g r e s s in t h e general k n o w – h o w about b a b y food s a f e t y . Despite t h a t , some m o d e r n – d a y gripe w a t e r s contain p a r a b e n s , vegetable c a r b o n or d a i r y products t h a t must b e completely a v o i d e d .

B e l o w we d e c i p h e r some p r o m i n e n t ingredients i n gripe w a t e r , to h e l p you d e c i d e whether o r not t o give t h e supplement t o your b a b y :

A l c o h o l is c e r t a i n l y bad f o r the b a b y : Most r e s e a r c h e r s , doctors, a n d even m o t h e r s will c o n c u r that a l c o h o l is b a d for y o u r baby’s h e a l t h (2). I t was o r i g i n a l l y believed t h a t it w a s the a l c o h o l content i n the g r i p e water t h a t had t h e soothing e f f e c t on t h e baby. B u t research h a s shown t h a t alcohol i s not a necessary i n g r e d i e n t and, i n fact, m a y make t h e baby a d d i c t i v e to g r i p e water. T h e r e have b e e n cases w h e r e adults g o t addicted t o gripe w a t e r that c o n t a i n e d alcohol ( 3 ) .

S o d i u m bicarbonate c a n alleviate a c i d i t y : Sodium b i c a r b o n a t e or b a k i n g soda i s an i n g r e d i e n t that h a s been c o n s i s t e n t l y used i n gripe w a t e r since i t s formulation. I t is c a l l e d sarjikakshara i n India. T h e thing i s that i t has n o role i n soothing a colic b a b y if h e is c r y i n g due t o reasons o t h e r than a c i d i t y . Sodium b i c a r b o n a t e works a t dealing w i t h the a c i d reflux t h e baby m a y have d u e to u n d e r d e v e l o p e d esophageal v a l v e present a t the p o i n t esophagus m e e t s the s t o m a c h .

H o w e v e r , excess c o n s u m p t i o n of s o d i u m bicarbonate c a n lead t o a c o n d i t i o n called m i l k – a l k a l i syndrome. I t is a condition w h e r e the a m o u n t of c a l c i u m in t h e blood s u r g e s due t o a h e a v y intake o f calcium ( f r o m milk) a n d alkali l i k e sodium b i c a r b o n a t e (4). S i n c e babies y o u n g e r than s i x months c o n s u m e only b r e a s t milk, t h e y can b e at a greater r i s k of d e v e l o p i n g this p r o b l e m in c a s e they a r e repeatedly a d m i n i s t e r e d gripe w a t e r . In t h e long r u n , this c a n affect t h e baby’s k i d n e y s . Sodium b i c a r b o n a t e is a l s o not r e c o m m e n d e d for p r e m a t u r e babies a n d babies b o r n with k i d n e y problems ( 5 ) .

C e r t a i n herbs c a n help d i g e s t i o n : Dill s e e d oil a n d fennel s e e d oil a r e the t w o plant o i l s that a r e commonly u s e d in g r i p e water q u i t e often i n t e r c h a n g e a b l y or t o g e t h e r since b o t h belong t o the s a m e plant f a m i l y . Fennel, o r saunf a s called i n India, i s a c o m m o n mouth f r e s h e n e r served a f t e r meals p r i m a r i l y for i t s ability t o mitigate i n d i g e s t i o n . Research h a s proven t h a t giving f e n n e l seed o i l to b a b i e s significantly r e l i e v e s colic b e h a v i o r especially i f the b a b y is c r y i n g due t o gastrointestinal d i s c o m f o r t (6). A l t h o u g h fennel a n d dill c o n t i n u e to b e popular n a t u r a l remedies f o r indigestion, t h e r e are n o elaborate s t u d i e s to c o n c l u s i v e l y prove t h e i r therapeutic u s e s for b a b i e s . Their u s e can b e subjective w h e r e a p a r t i c u l a r baby m a y show r e l i e f due t o fennel o i l , some o t h e r may h a v e an a l l e r g i c reaction.

I t is t h e sugar t h a t actually s o o t h e s : Studies h a v e shown t h a t it i s the s w e e t taste o f sugar h a s a c a l m i n g effect o n colic b a b i e s . The c l a i m has b e e n widely s u p p o r t e d by v a r i o u s anecdotes w h e r e babies w e r e given s o m e t h i n g sweet t o calm t h e m down. B u t excess s u g a r can b e harmful t o the g u m s and t e e t h since i t can l e a d to d e c a y in t h e developing t e e t h of t h e baby. B e f o r e buying g r i p e water, l o o k for t h e quantity o f added s u g a r mentioned o n the l a b e l . Also, m a i n t a i n a w a t c h on h o w much g r i p e water y o u are g i v i n g your b a b y to p r e v e n t feeding h i m excess s u g a r .

G r i p e water i n g r e d i e n t s are c a p a b l e of p r o v i d i n g relief i n d e p e n d e n t l y : The i s o l a t e d ingredients o f gripe w a t e r are i n d e p e n d e n t l y capable o f providing r e l i e f to c o l i c babies. T h i s means t h e r e is n o need t o take t h e risk o f giving a mix o f ingredients t o your b a b y when y o u can p r o v i d e them o n e at a time. F o r example, y o u r colic t o d d l e r would s t o p crying w h e n e v e r he i s given s u g a r syrup o r a s w e e t fruit t o eat. Y o u don’t h a v e to f e e d him d i l l oil a n d sodium b i c a r b o n a t e . Perhaps, i t this a r g u m e n t that p u t s gripe w a t e r in a vague z o n e .

N o scientific e v i d e n c e about t h e effectiveness: Scientific r e s e a r c h has n o t yielded c o n c l u s i v e evidence t h a t gripe w a t e r treats c o l i c babies. M o s t researchers n o w categorize g r i p e water a s an a l t e r n a t i v e medicine f o r colitis ( 7 ) . This m e a n s it i s not a formal m e d i c i n a l treatment f o r a c o l i c baby a n d can b e suggested a s an o v e r – t h e – c o u n t e r remedy f o r temporary r e l i e f .

I t does n o t cause d i a r r h e a or c o n s t i p a t i o n : Gripe w a t e r does n o t lead t o diarrhea a s generally p e r c e i v e d by m a n y parents. T h e r e was a n instance i n 2007 w h e n a c e r t a i n brand o f gripe w a t e r was f o u n d contaminated w i t h a d i a r r h e a – c a u s i n g pathogen c a l l e d Cryptosporidium ( 8 ) . The c a s e was s u b j e c t i v e , and t h e gripe w a t e r was c o n t a m i n a t e d during t h e manufacturing p r o c e s s . Parents a l s o share i n s t a n c e s where t h e i r baby d e v e l o p e d a r e g r e s s e d toilet s c h e d u l e after c o n s u m i n g gripe w a t e r , but t h e r e is n o evidence t h a t directly l i n k s gripe w a t e r with c o n s t i p a t i o n or d i a r r h e a .

T h e r e are n o clinically p r o v e n side-effects o f gripe w a t e r . There c o u l d be s p e c i f i c side e f f e c t s of t h e ingredients p r e s e n t in g r i p e water, s u c h as a r t i f i c i a l sweeteners, s o d i u m bicarbonate o r alcohol.

T h e r e f o r e , if y o u find a n allergy-causing i n g r e d i e n t , then y o u can o p t for a brand o f gripe w a t e r that d o e s not c o n t a i n the s u b s t a n c e .

G r i p e water i s safe d e p e n d i n g on t h e ingredients:

I n 1993, t h e United S t a t e s Food A n d Drug A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (USFDA) s t a r t e d retaining s h i p m e n t s of W o o d w a r d gripe w a t e r since i t was c a t e g o r i z e d as a non-prescriptive d r u g (9). S i n c e then, g r i p e water b r a n d s are b e i n g marketed a s a d i e t a r y supplement t h a t a p a r e n t can g i v e his b a b y or t o d d l e r as p e r their d i s c r e t i o n .

T h e formulation o f gripe w a t e r has c h a n g e d substantially s i n c e the 1 8 4 0 s . Alcohol i s no l o n g e r an i n g r e d i e n t in n e a r l y all b r a n d s of g r i p e water. M o d e r n gripe w a t e r s contain w a t e r , sugar o r vegetable g l y c e r i n as a sweetener, s o d i u m bicarbonate, a n d dill o r fennel o i l .

S o m e Indian v a r i a n t s of g r i p e water m a y even c o n t a i n mint o i l . Mint i s good f o r digestion b u t certain b a b i e s and t o d d l e r s can h a v e an a l l e r g y towards i t since i t can e l e v a t e the i n t e n s i t y of t h e acid r e f l u x . Also, t h e smell o f menthol m a y have a d v e r s e effects o n babies a n d toddlers ( 1 0 ) . It i s thus a d v i s a b l e to s e e the l a b e l of i n g r e d i e n t s of t h e gripe w a t e r before g i v i n g it t o the b a b y .

M o s t parents v o u c h for t h e goodness o f gripe w a t e r . The m o s t visible p o s i t i v e effect i s the b a b y ’ s ability t o sleep p e a c e f u l l y due t o relief f r o m pain a n d discomfort c a u s e d by g a s t r i c problems. I n any c a s e , always c o n s u l t your p e d i a t r i c i a n before g i v i n g your b a b y gripe w a t e r . You m u s t also c o n s u l t the p e d i a t r i c i a n about t h e dosage i n s t e a d of f o l l o w i n g the i n s t r u c t i o n s given o n the l a b e l . The y o u n g e r the b a b y , the m o r e careful y o u need t o be a b o u t introducing g r i p e water.

W h a t Are T h e Uses O f Gripe W a t e r ?

S i n c e its f i r s t commercial a v a i l a b i l i t y , gripe w a t e r has b e e n touted t o have s e v e r a l benefits f o r colic b a b i e s and t h o s e suffering f r o m gastrointestinal p r o b l e m s . Below a r e some o f the c o m m o n ailments g r i p e water i s used f o r :

C o l i c babies: Gripe w a t e r has b e e n historically a d v e r t i s e d for c o l i c . It i s popularly k n o w n to s o o t h e babies t h a t have a tendency t o break i n t o chronic c o l i c .

F r e t f u l babies: Babies t h a t tend t o have a n x i e t y due t o shock o r pain c a n be c o m f o r t e d with a dose o f gripe w a t e r . It w o r k s in t h e same w a y as i t does w i t h colic b a b i e s .

Flatulence: Gripe w a t e r brings r e l i e f in b a b i e s feeling f u l l due t o flatulence o r gas.

B a b y tummy p r o b l e m s : Gripe w a t e r is o f t e n recommended f o r babies s u f f e r i n g from g a s t r o i n t e s t i n a l troubles, i n c l u d i n g acidity. I t is r e c o m m e n d e d even f o r constipation, t h o u g h it i s not m e a n t for i t . We’ll t e l l you m o r e about t h i s later. T h e s e are t h e core a i l m e n t s that y o u can t a r g e t using g r i p e water. F o l l o w i n g are s o m e other a i l m e n t s that g r i p e water i s commonly u s e d or r e c o m m e n d e d for.

G r i p e water f o r teething: Gripe w a t e r companies r e c o m m e n d gripe w a t e r when t h e baby b e g i n s to t e e t h . Teething c a n cause i r r i t a t i o n in b a b i e s , which i n turn m a y make t h e m cry q u i t e frequently. T h i s frequent c r y i n g causes t h e baby t o swallow a lot o f air s i n c e there a r e no t e e t h to o b s t r u c t . This m a y indirectly l e a d to f l a t u l e n c e . Therefore, g r i p e water i s given d u r i n g teething t o soothe t h e baby’s c r y i n g and f l a t u l e n c e .

G r i p e water f o r hiccups: Hiccups a r e caused b y irritation o f the d i a p h r a g m in t h e abdominal c a v i t y . The i r r i t a t i o n can b e stimulated b y flatulence, a c i d reflux o r general i n d i g e s t i o n . Gripe w a t e r can h e l p treat t h e s e problems, w h i c h may h a v e led t o hiccups. P l e a s e note t h a t gripe w a t e r does n o t directly t r e a t baby h i c c u p s , instead t a r g e t s the p r o b a b l e causes f o r diaphragm i r r i t a t i o n .

G r i p e Water F o r Newborns

G r i p e water m a n u f a c t u r e r s recommend i t for b a b i e s as y o u n g as t w o weeks o l d . While s u c h babies h a v e the a b o v e – m e n t i o n e d problems, y o u must a l w a y s consult a pediatrician b e f o r e giving g r i p e water t o an i n f a n t . Usually, b a b i e s of t h a t age a r e not g i v e n anything o t h e r than b r e a s m i l k . Babies h a v e sensitive d i g e s t i v e systems a n d therefore b r e a s t milk i s the s a f e s t thing t h e y can a n d should c o n s u m e .

H o w To G i v e Gripe W a t e r ?

Y o u can g i v e gripe w a t e r to y o u r baby i n a t e a s p o o n or w i t h the h e l p of a dropper. M o s t brands m e n t i o n the r e c o m m e n d e d dosage i n units o f teaspoon. M e a s u r e the q u a n t i t y using a teaspoon a n d then u s e a d r o p p e r to g i v e it y o u r baby. G r i p e water u s u a l l y shows e f f e c t within m i n u t e s but i t depends o n numerous f a c t o r s such a s the a g e of t h e baby a n d the s e v e r i t y of h i s condition.

G e n e r a l l y , gripe w a t e r is g i v e n once i n a d a y but s o m e t i m e s the b r a n d s might r e c o m m e n d a h i g h e r frequency. I n that c a s e , start w i t h limited q u a n t i t y dosage o r consult y o u r pediatrician f o r the e x a c t quantity.

J u s t like a n y other d i e t a r y supplement, g r i p e water h a s an e x p i r y date a n d you m u s t never a d m i n i s t e r it b e y o n d expiry.

W h e n To G i v e Gripe W a t e r To Y o u r Baby?

G r i p e water s h o u l d preferably b e given o n l y when y o u r baby s h o w s symptoms o f colic, i n d i g e s t i o n or f l a t u l e n c e and c a n ’ t be s o o t h e d by a n y other m e a n s . You m u s t avoid g i v i n g it t o him o n an e m p t y stomach s i n c e the s t o m a c h lining i n babies i s delicate a n d could b e affected b y the a l k a l i n e sodium b i c a r b o n a t e .

C a n Gripe W a t e r Be A d d e d To F o r m u l a Milk?

M a n y parents a r e tempted t o add s o m e gripe w a t e r to t h e i r baby’s f o r m u l a milk w h i l e making t h e formulation. B u t you s h o u l d not b e doing s o because r e p l a c i n g any a m o u n t of w a t e r in f o r m u l a milk w i t h gripe w a t e r is a bad i d e a .

A l s o , manufacturers r e c o m m e n d against m i x i n g gripe w a t e r with f o r m u l a milk s i n c e there i s a r i s k of a d v e r s e chemical r e a c t i o n . Therefore, i f you p l a n to a d m i n i s t e r gripe w a t e r to y o u r baby, d o it a f t e r he c o m p l e t e s his f e e d .

N o w we k n o w about g r i p e water a n d its u s a g e , let u s see i f we c a n replace i t with s a f e alternatives t h a t provide c o m p a r a b l e relief t o the b a b y .

G r i p e Water A l t e r n a t i v e s

T h e r e are o t h e r reliable w a y s of m a k i n g your b a b y feel b e t t e r :

T u m m y massage: Tummy m a s s a g e is a great w a y of r e l e a s i n g abdominal t e n s i o n and g a s . Baby m a s s a g e s are a l s o good f o r the m u s c l e s and c a n provide t h e necessary s t i m u l u s for t h e baby t o grow.

C h a n g e formula m i l k : Check i f the f o r m u l a you a r e using i s not s u i t i n g your b a b y . Switch t h e brand t o see i f it b r i n g s any i m p r o v e m e n t in y o u r little o n e ’ s condition. Y o u should c o n s u l t your d o c t o r before m o v i n g to a new b r a n d .

M a k e him b u r p : Your b a b y could b e cranky b e c a u s e of s o m e gas s t u c k in h i s stomach. H o l d him i n your a r m s and g e n t l y tap h i s back t o get r i d of t h e excess a i r trapped w i t h i n . Sometimes b u r p i n g is e n o u g h to m a k e him f e e l good.

S w a d d l e the b a b y : Wrap y o u r baby i n a s o f t blanket w i t h only t h e head o u t . The w a r m t h of t h e blanket a n d the f e e l of a soft f a b r i c can s o o t h e him d o w n . You m a y even h o l d him i n your a r m s while h e is s w a d d l e d .

F e e d him b r e a s t milk: In c a s e you a r e alternating b e t w e e n breast m i l k and f o r m u l a , then s w i t c h to a complete b r e a s t milk d i e t . Exclusively f e e d i n g your b a b y with b r e a s t milk u n t i l the a g e of s i x months i s the b e s t way t o keep h i s gastrointestinal t r a c t healthy. T h i s invariably h e l p s in p r e v e n t i n g those s i t u a t i o n s for w h i c h gripe w a t e r is r e c o m m e n d e d . In f a c t , feeding y o u r baby a n y t h i n g except b r e a s t milk, e v e n gripe w a t e r , before s i x months c a n expose h i s stomach a n d intestines t o illness-causing b a c t e r i a .

Y o u must h a v e also h e a r d of h o m e m a d e gripe w a t e r as a n alternative f o r regular g r i p e water. W h i l e it m a y seem s a f e , homemade v a r i a n t also h a s the s a m e ingredients u s e d in s t a n d a r d over-the-counter g r i p e water. T h e h o m e o p a t h i c versions of g r i p e water a r e not s a f e as t h e y contain i n g r e d i e n t s such a s chamomile a n d vegetable c h a r c o a l . Chamomile h a s been l i n k e d with c a s e s of i n f a n t botulism, w h i c h makes i t a d e f i n i t e no-no f o r your b a b y (11).

W h i l e we d o not v o u c h for t h e safety o f gripe w a t e r , what w e would s u g g e s t is r e a d the i n g r e d i e n t s , and m a k e an i n f o r m e d choice a f t e r consulting y o u r pediatrician.
H a v e you g i v e n gripe w a t e r to y o u r baby? W h a t was y o u r experience? S h a r e it w i t h us h e r e .

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