What if gripe water doesnt work

A new, untried remedy could also cause an allergic reaction. Caregivers should learn the signs that might indicate an infant is having an allergic reaction. If a caregiver suspects an allergic reaction, they should stop using the medicine immediately and seek advice from a doctor. Caregivers should make sure they give the correct dosage, store gripe water and gas drops according to the instructions, and check that they are within their use-by date.

Doing so will also reduce the risk of the remedy causing any upset to the infant. More research is necessary to understand why colic occurs and which treatments can help reduce the symptoms of this condition. As well as gas drops and gripe water, other home remedies include:.

Some people find that noises that mimic the sounds babies hear inside the womb can help soothe and calm babies who are crying from colic. Noise from household appliances, such as hoovers and hairdryers, may have a similar effect. Some young babies who are upset because of the discomfort and pain that colic causes like to be held and rocked rhythmically. Some parents suggest that going for a drive or out for a walk with the baby in the buggy can help due to the gentle rocking motions.

Putting the infant in a sling while walking around can provide comfort from movement and skin-to-skin contact. Some foods may pass through breast milk and could cause a fussier, gassier baby. However, people who are breast-feeding should avoid randomly removing foods from their diet.

Instead, look for patterns and try to identify if the baby becomes fussy after eating certain foods. Some people choose to avoid these foods while breast-feeding in an attempt to reduce colic symptoms in the infant. Some teats are designed to reduce colic by only allowing milk to come out when the baby sucks. These bottles may reduce the amount of air the baby swallows when feeding and therefore the amount of gas that forms in the stomach.

If overfeeding or swallowing air is contributing to colic symptoms, a slower-flowing nipple may help. However, a slow-flow teat may be frustrating for the baby if they cannot get enough milk. Some anti-colic bottles are available to purchase online.

Smaller, more frequent meals could also aid digestion and lessen the symptoms associated with colic. Doctors are not sure what causes colic, or why some babies get colic and others do not. However, some possible causes include:. Colic does not mean there is anything necessarily wrong with a baby, and most people find that their babies start to show improvement at around 3 to 4 months of age. Colic is widespread in young babies. Although often upsetting for both the caregiver and baby, the symptoms of colic are usually no cause for concern.

However, there are times where a caregiver should seek advice from a medical professional to ensure there is not a more severe underlying condition causing symptoms. Caregivers should also consider seeking advice from a doctor if the colic symptoms are causing them great concern or are making it difficult for them to cope. A doctor or other medical professional can provide advice on reducing symptoms of colic.

Colic is a common condition in young babies. Because the symptoms often appear to cause distress, many caregivers are keen to find treatments to reduce the symptoms and comfort their little ones. There are many remedies that people suggest for easing the symptoms of colic, including gripe water and gas drops. These drops contain simethicone, an anti-foaming agent that breaks up bubbles in the digestive tract, which can help gas pass.

The original gripe water, first used by nannies and moms in England in the s, contained alcohol — which people used to think relaxed babies now we know that giving any alcohol to a baby can be toxic. Check the packaging for specific dosing instructions and get your pediatrician's approval first about how much and how often to give it to your baby.

The general limit is four doses a day, but only under the care of your practitioner. If your doctor says gripe water is fine for your baby and it seems to work, you should stop using it by the time your little one is 4 to 6 months old, when gassiness typically becomes less of an issue.

Some parents notice that their babies seem drowsier after a dose of gripe water. But does gripe water actually make babies sleepy? Probably not. Call your doctor if you see any of these signs in your baby. More serious allergy symptoms like swelling of the lips or tongue and trouble swallowing or breathing can be life-threatening and warrant a call to right away. It depends on the specific brand and ingredients. You should always ask your doctor for a recommendation for gripe water and any other remedy you're thinking of giving your baby.

Gripe water made with alcohol definitely isn't safe, and other formulas, including those labeled "natural" or "homeopathic" depending on where they're made and what's in them , contain a variety of other ingredients that may be unsafe or untested. Gripe water made with sucrose, while not dangerous, might not be the best choice either.

So always check with your doctor first about a specific brand and kind of gripe water. And remember, even if you do try gripe water as a remedy for digestive troubles with your pediatrician's approval, it should never be given in large quantities to a baby or used as a dietary substitute.

Infants this age should be fed breast milk or formula or a combination of the two only. Just so you know, What to Expect may earn commissions from the shopping links included on this page. This pediatrician-approved gripe water contains percent vegan ingredients, including organic ginger and fennel. The herbal mixture also contains no alcohol or parabens, making it a safer option for instant colic, gas, hiccup and teething relief.

Ginger root extract, fennel seed extract and agave vegetable glycerin work together to remedy colic, gas and hiccups. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. Amanda Krupa, M. She has a masters of science in health communication from Boston University and a post-graduate certification in medical writing and editing from the University of Chicago.

Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Health family. Advertiser Disclosure. By Amanda Krupa. Medically Reviewed Dr. Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board.

Is Gripe Water Effective? What Is Gripe Water? What Ingredients Are in Gripe Water? Also, be sure to: Check the packaging for specific dosage instructions and confirm them with your doctor.

Footnotes Colic. Adhisivam B. Is gripe water baby-friendly?. What is the best treatment for infants with colic?. References Blumenthal I. The Gripe Water Story. J R Soc Med. Tea drinking and microcytic anemia in infants.