health centershealthy kids center

Is Gripe Water Safe for Newborns?

Disease and Condition: Breastfeeding
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), newborn infants shouldn't be given food or drink other than breast milk.

According to the WHO, newborn infants shouldn't be given food or drink other than breast milk.

As gripe water is a supplement and not a medication, it doesn't come under the regulation of the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA), which means that there is no guarantee for the ingredients mentioned on the label. Hence, gripe water cannot be termed safe for newborns. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), newborn infants shouldn't be given food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated because these may introduce bacteria or allergens in the intestine, thus irritating it or causing infections. Some of the contents in the gripe water can be harmful to the newborns:

  • Alcohol, as high as 9%, can cause developmental problems in babies.
  • Wheat or dairy products in gripe water can upset the baby's stomach.
  • Sucrose can prove to be unsafe for children because it can harm the erupting teeth.
  • Gluten, dairy, parabens, and vegetable carbon can induce allergies in children.
  • Sodium bicarbonate present in gripe water doesn't have a specific role in treating colic. Long-term use of sodium bicarbonate may cause an increase in blood alkalinity or pH.

If gripe water is given continuously, it can also lead to the following:

  • Delayed or slow growth
  • Inadequate weight gain
  • Not being hungry for breast milk or formula, thus missing out on nutrition

What is gripe water?

Gripe water is a herbal medication available in liquid form. It has been effective in treating colic in children. The main components of gripe water include the following:

When choosing gripe water, parents should check the label and avoid the product if it contains the following:

  • Gluten
  • Dairy products
  • Alcohol
  • Sucrose

Colic is defined as excessive crying for more than 3 hours a day at least 3 days a week for 3 weeks or more in an otherwise healthy baby. One of the possible reasons could be stomach discomfort in children when unable to pass gas. The exact cause of colic is unknown; hence, there is no accepted conventional treatment. Infantile colic is self-limiting because it resolves at about 3 months of age.

The herbs in gripe water are known to relieve digestive problems; hence, this formulation was recommended by the physician for the treatment of colic pain.

Gripe water has also been used to treat the following:

As gripe water is a supplement and not a medication, it doesn't come under the regulation of the U.S. FDA, which means that there is no guarantee for the ingredients mentioned on the label.

SLIDESHOW

Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids See Slideshow

What are the side effects of gripe water?

With the newer formulations of gripe water, it has been claimed that they are generally safe. However, it is important to monitor for any of these side effects:

What are the alternatives for gripe water?

If the pediatrician doesn't feel gripe water is safe for your baby, they may recommend alternatives like:

  • Massaging the baby to soothe colic
  • Applying pressure on the tummy by placing the child facing down and gently rubbing the back
  • Wrapping the child in a warm, cuddly blanket, and holding them tight
  • Changing the brand of formula milk to soy-based milk
  • Exclusion of cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts from the mother's diet
  • Prescription medications to soothe colic

Health News

References
Johnson JD, Cocker K, Chang E. "Infantile Colic: Recognition and Treatment." Am Fam Physician. Oct 1, 2015;92(7):577-582. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1001/p577.html

Jain K, Gunasekaran D, Venkatesh C, et al. "Gripe Water Administration in Infants 1-6 months of Age-A Cross-sectional Study." J Clin Diagn Res. November 2015;9(11):SC06-SC08. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2015&volume=9&issue=11&page=SC06&issn=0973-709x&id=6738

Sas D, Enrione M, Schwartz R. "Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Septic Shock Secondary to 'Gripe Water' Ingestion." Pediatr Infect Dis J. February 2004; 23(2):176-177. doi: 10.1097/01.inf.0000109722.53766.4f

Soloway, RAG. "Don't Give Herbal Supplements to Infants." Poison Control. <https://www.poison.org/articles/2011-oct/dont-give-herbal-supplements-to-infants>.

Top Is Gripe Water Safe for Newborns? Related Articles

  • Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding
    It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of...
  • Can Drinking Water Help Prevent a Stroke?
    Many studies have proven that proper hydration at the time of a stroke is linked to better stroke recovery. It is possible that dehydration causes blood to be thicker. Viscous blood causes the body...
  • The Health Benefits of Watermelon
    That classic summertime fruit, watermelon, has a lot more to offer than sweet taste. It's chock-full of nutrients that help your body thrive. Check out what you get when you include watermelon as...
  • How Much Water Should You Drink Based on Your Weight?
    Generally, you should aim to drink about 64 ounces of water per day. Check out the center below for more medical references on nutrition, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes),...
  • Hydration Quiz
    Do you know how much water you should be drinking on a daily basis? It may not be what you think. Take this quiz to learn how to stay hydrated.
  • Ibuprofen intravenous (IV)
    Ibuprofen intravenous (IV) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered into the vein (intravenous) to treat pain, fever, and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborn babies. Side...
  • Newborn Infant Hearing Screening
    A newborn infant hearing screening is performed before a child is discharged from the hospital. If an infant doesn't pass the test, a rescreen is performed. Detecting hearing loss at an early age...
  • nitric oxide gas
    Nitric oxide gas is used for treating hypoxic respiratory failure in newborns caused by impaired lung function, which leads to low oxygen levels in the tissues (hypoxia). It may also be used for...
  • 7 Ways Water Benefits the Body
    Drinking water benefits digestion, metabolism, toxin elimination, and other functions. Water promotes weight loss and helps prevent dehydration. Health benefits of hydration include improvements in...
  • oxytocin
    Oxytocin is a synthetic form of the natural human hormone oxytocin used to induce or improve uterine contractions during delivery and to prevent uncontrolled bleeding (hemorrhage) after the delivery....
  • What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Enough Water?
    You might be surprised at how well your body works when you drink enough water. Find out exactly what can go right when you get your H2O.
  • What Is an Epstein Pearl?
    Epstein pearls are whitish-yellow cysts seen on the gums and roof of the mouth in a newborn baby. These white bumps are harmless and usually go away on their own.
  • Water Safety: What's Inside Your Drinking Water?`
    What are the benefits of drinking water? How do you keep your drinking water safe and healthy? Learn about the water you drink and possible contaminants like giardia, cryptosporidium, lead, chlorine,...
  • Why Is Gripe Water Banned?
    Gripe water is a herbal medication available in the liquid form. It has been effective in treating colic in children.