Any parent who has ever experienced a colicky baby knows the agony of taking care of a continuously crying baby and living with no sleep. Mothers often become dismayed when their baby is in pain and they can do nothing to fix it. One potential solution to this problem is gripe water. Gripe water is a naturopathic medicine which promotes a holistic approach to your health with minimal use of surgeries and drugs. Of course, you should consult your physician prior to attempting naturopathic remedies at home.
History
Gripe water is an herbal concoction that was first developed in 1851 in England. The water is believed to be able to calm fussy babies. According to the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, William Woodward discovered the formulation after realizing that the remedy being used to treat fen fever was also helpful in relieving stomach problems in infants and calming fussy babies. He perfected the formula quickly and in 1876, he trademarked the name "Gripe Water." Gripe water was banned in 1993 by the FDA but a few types of gripe water have been approved for sale in the United States since that time.
Function
According to BabySlumber.com, it is believed that gripe water has a calming effect on babies suffering from colic, stomach pain and gas. The makers of gripe water also state that the product helps with the fussiness and pain associated with teething, acid reflux and hiccups. Gripe water is gentle on the baby's system as it contains only natural ingredients. Any gripe water that is available for purchase in the United States is thoroughly tested for safety and manufactured in FDA-approved labs.
Identification
Although various formulations of gripe water have different ingredients, the active ingredients remain mostly the same. According to Parenting Journals, caraway is one ingredient that is believed to slow intestinal spasms. Another common ingredient is ginger. It is used to calm nausea. Many formulations of gripe water contain fennel, which claims to help with upset stomachs, hiccups and gas. Other ingredients commonly used include dill, peppermint oil, cinnamon, fructose and sodium bicarbonate.
Dosage
The amount of gripe water that is used as a treatment for colic will vary by brand. Typical instructions are to give baby between 1/2 and 1 tsp. of gripe water as needed when colic or symptoms of upset stomach appear. Although some brands will allow for dosing in 30 minute increments, most recommend no more than six doses every 24 hours. The baby will usually experience relief within five minutes, with the effects lasting several hours.
Misconceptions
Many parents worry that there may be habit-forming drugs or narcotics in gripe water. This concern usually occurs because a baby will usually sleep longer than normally after taking gripe water. Although the original formula did contain alcohol, it is not included in any of the current formulas. According to gripe water manufacturers, babies will typically sleep after receiving their dosing because their pain has been relieved.
