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Gripe Water For Babies And Newborn

Gripe Water For Babies And Newborn

For no obvious reason, newborns and babies can often cry. In these cases, the guilty party is usually colic. There is no clear definition of colic, but this is a concept used when babies cry too long. It is usually observed in babies between 3 weeks and 3 months of age. Gas-induced abdominal discomfort is widely believed to cause colic, and gripe water is the remedy of choice for many parents. Continue reading for the benefits of gripe water for babies.

What Is Gripe Water?

Gripe water is over-the-counter sodium bicarbonate and herbal supplement (such as fennel, ginger, chamomile, cardamom, liqueur, cinnamon, clove, dill, lemon balm, or peppermint, depending on the formula). It is also marketed as a remedy for teething pain, hiccups, and sometimes even colic, among other ailments, in addition to soothing gas pains and other stomach problems.

What is the Use of Gripe Water?

Gripe water is said to have plenty of benefits to ease certain digestion problems and hiccups from soothing colicky infants. Babies with flatulence may benefit from consuming it, as well as those with gastrointestinal problems such as acidity. Babies with teething tend to be irritable and cry a lot. This can lead to a lot of air swallowing that leads to flatulence. Hiccups caused by irritation of the diaphragm can be troubling for babies and are caused by flatulence, acid reflux, or indigestion. It is thought that gripe water soothes the diaphragm and thus provides relief from hiccups to children.

Gripe Water For Babies And Newborn

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Is Gripe Water Safe?

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 may not be the best choice, even though it is not dangerous, because you don’t want your child to be used to sugar soothing. So always check first with your doctor and ask for a recommendation (and let him or her know if it doesn’t work).

And note, even if you try gripe water with your pediatrician’s permission as a cure for digestive disorders, it should never be provided to a child or used as a nutritional replacement in big amounts. Only breast milk or formula (or a mixture of the two) should be supplied to children of this era.

When Can Babies Have Gripe Water?

Gripe water companies say that children as young as two weeks can receive it. However, offering it to children under a month is not advisable as their digestive system is still evolving and can be vulnerable. There are also those who believe that nothing other than breast milk or formula should be provided to children up to six months. So, the easiest choice is to consult your pediatrician as to when the formulations can be provided to the child.

Side Effects of Gripe Water For Babies

There are no side effects of gripe water that are clinically proven. Your child may, however, be sensitive to one or more of the components in a specific product. Checking the list of components can assist you to prevent these products. Signs of an adverse response may be hives, watery eyes, tender lips or nose, nausea, itchiness, and any changes in breathing pattern after consuming gripe water. If your child demonstrates any of these side effects, seek medical assistance instantly.

Tips for Using Gripe Water

If your physician gives you a suggestion for a type of baby-safe gripe water, follow these suggestions:

1. Carefully read components

Look for a Vegetable carbon (charcoal) plant, as it can trigger constipation. Buy alcohol- and sucrose-free products only.

2. Read the instructions

The ingredients in the brands of gripe water vary, and most have different instructions for use. So be sure to read the tag closely before tearing open the package (and again question your pediatrician about products, dosing, and use before offering it to your little one). Some brands suggest waiting for your baby to be at least 1 month old before use. And when it comes to how soon you should use the item, almost every brand differs, so be careful to read it up and get sound medical guidance before taking doses.

3. Watch for allergies 

While Grip Water does not allergically react, you still lookout for symptoms such as hip, itchiness, watery eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, swallowing or breathing problems, vomiting or diarrhea, as well as all-new food or drink you introduce to your little one.

Alternatives for Baby Gripe Water

In addition to gripe water, there are quite a few ways to help your baby feel better. To help rid the abdominal tension and gas, try a gentle tummy massage. For some babies, switching the brand of formula milk may be helpful. Put him over your shoulder when your baby is cranky and tap their back gently to help them burp. This may sometimes be all you need to help your baby feel better. It can be comfortable to swaddle your baby and help him relax. If possible, the best way to keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy is to ensure that your baby is exclusively breastfed until six months of age as breastmilk.

Gripe Water For Babies And Newborn

Image Source – Pixabay

Can Gripe Water Be Mixed with Milk Formula?

Mixing gripe water with formula includes exchanging some of the water used to prepare formula milk instead of gripe water. This may change the formula’s taste. You can mix it with water or breast milk, but there is a chance that your baby will always begin to demand this mixture.

Give it to the baby in its original form for the best results.

Cranky children and colic have been around in this globe for as long as there are children! But gripe water may not always be the answer. Trying to know why your child is annoyed or in distress is crucial to you. The next stage is to soothe and comfort the little without any external agents being used. This may be challenging if you are a parent for the first time as nothing seems to work. Things will settle down once you get the feel of it, though, and you’ll understand precisely how to calm your child.

Also Read: Know The Benefits Of Coconut Water For Babies

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