Since the 19th century, parents and health care providers have turned to gripe water as a home remedy for many of the common discomforts associated with infancy. This over-the-counter concoction generally includes a combination of herbs, sweeteners and baking soda. It may be used to treat colic, gas, teething pain or reflux in newborns, but no large-scale studies have evaluated its overall safety or efficacy. While serious adverse reactions from gripe water are rare, gripe water is associated with some drawbacks.
Possible Ineffectiveness
While many parents claim success using gripe water, no well-designed studies have proven its effectiveness. Most reports of gripe water success have been anecdotal and unverifiable.
Allergic Reactions
Herbs used in gripe water can cause allergic reactions in people of all ages. Botanical components of gripe water may include ginger, fennel, mint or chamomile, all of which have been linked to allergic reactions. As a member of the ragweed family, chamomile is particularly allergenic; it may provoke hives, skin rash or diarrhea in susceptible babies. According to the National Institutes of Health, some people may experience anaphylaxis--a life-threatening allergic reaction--after ingesting chamomile.
Breast Development
Many gripe water formulas contain fennel because of its reputation for easing gas pain. Anethole, an estrogenic compound in fennel, may disrupt a baby's hormonal development if it is ingested in very large amounts. In 2008, a report by the Journal of Pediatric Surgery linked fennel to premature breast development in infants. While the report did not advise parents to avoid the herb entirely, it suggested that parents limit children's intake of gripe water formulas containing fennel.
Cavities
A 2000 report published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine investigated the potential dangers of gripe water. Ivan Blumenthol, the author of the report, noted that gripe water generally contains cavity-forming sweeteners like sugar, which can increase a baby's risk of early tooth decay. Blumenthol suggests the use of non-cariogenic sweeteners like aspartame instead of conventional sweeteners.
