Crying is a completely normal and natural part of an infant's development. The intense crying in an otherwise healthy newborn between three weeks and three months of age is known as colic. Colic can be troubling and difficult for both parents and infants alike, yet colic is a common condition among babies. Despite the fact that treatment for infantile colic varies, many parents choose complementary and alternative options to ease their infant's colic. One such remedy is gripe water.
What is Colic?
Colicky babies will curl up their legs, clutch their fists and turn bright red from consistent crying. It is considered colic when a baby cries for more than three hours at least three days per week for three weeks consecutively. According to Donna Roberts et al. in "Infantile Colic," this is referred to as the "rule of threes." The crying may come in bouts or it may be consistent. For the most part, colic is seen in infants who are six to eight weeks of age and typically clears up naturally between eight and 14 weeks of age. Babies cannot communicate, yet it is thought that colic is the worst pain a baby experiences after birth. Colic occurs in one out of eight babies, with no difference between girls and boys or breastfed and formula-fed infants.
Traditional Treatment
Considering that the cause of colic is unclear, the only treatment is to ease the symptoms and comfort the baby. Common recommendations consist of holding or rocking the baby, providing a pacifier, feeding at regular intervals, burping after each feeding and avoiding foods that may trigger a reaction. In "A Comprehensive Definition of Infant Colic: Parents' and Nurses' Perspective," Selvi Helseth and Susanne Begnum evaluate key clinical recommendations for infantile colic. Physicians typically recommend eliminating milk products, eggs, wheat and nuts in the mother's diet if breastfeeding, as these may be allergic triggers. Additionally, high-fiber formulas and massage are not recommended as they show no significant improvement. As colic rates among breastfed and formula-fed infants are comparable, it is not recommended to stop breastfeeding for any reason.
What is Gripe Water?
As reported by Lawrence Rosen in "The Gripe: An Integrative Approach to Infant Colic," gripe water is widely recognized as a known remedy for the treatment of colic. Gripe water was developed in the mid-1800s. It was a combination of herbs, sodium bicarbonate, alcohol and other substances. Originally used to treat "fen fever," a form of malaria, gripe water has been shown effective in soothing babies and providing gastrointestinal relief. The composition of gripe water has consistently changed over the years, with the large amount of alcohol being eliminated. Gripe water varies from one product to another. While it is available for purchase in pharmacies, many people make their own at home. It is simply water fortified with various herbs.
Herbal Blend
Over time, the components of gripe water have changed. Originally made up of alcohol, and then sucrose, it was thought that these substances had a soothing effect on the baby. As of 2010, it is believed to be the combination of herbs, with their sweet taste and gastrointestinal effects, that soothes colicky babies. The main ingredients of gripe water include sodium bicarbonate, ginger, fennel, dill, caraway, chamomile, anise, clove and cinnamon. While each of these herbs has a different effect on the gastrointestinal tract, they work together to sooth the baby's tummy. The herbs in gripe water work by eliminating gas, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria, decreasing stomach spasms and inflammation and easing painful digestion associated with colic.
Effectiveness of Gripe Water
In "Effectiveness of Massage, Sucrose Solution, Herbal Tea or Hydrolysed Formula in the Treatment of Infantile Colic," a study led by Duygu Arikan and colleagues, alternative interventions for the treatment of infantile colic are discussed. This study found that gripe water and herbal teas are popular remedies in the treatment of infantile colic. They have been shown to reduce symptoms, easing and calming colicky babies. Another study, "Myths and Facts about Infantile Colic," conducted by Amani Al Hajeri, established that the herbs in gripe water are effective in easing colic by eliminating gas, reflux and painful digestion. Gripe water has been shown to significantly reduce the intense crying associated with infantile colic. Additionally, there have been no adverse effects associated with the use of gripe water in infants.
Considerations
As there is no medical treatment for colic, many pediatricians recommend gripe water as it is considered an effective naturopathic treatment option. Although gripe water is thought to help with infantile colic, is considered safe and effective, and is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration; there is no scientific research to prove it's mechanism of action. In addition, the amount of gripe water that must be consumed to reap its benefits has not been established, but is thought to be of nutritional concern to infants as it interferes with their required milk intake.
References
- "American Family Physician": Infantile Colic
- "Pediatrics"; The Gripe: An Integrative Approach to Infant Colic; Lawrence Rosen; July/August 2007
- "Journal of Clinical Nursing"; A Comprehensive Definition of Infant Colic: Parents' and Nurses' Perspectives; Selvi Helseth and Susanne Begnum; September 2002
- "J of Clin Nurs"; Effect of Massage, Sucrose, Herb Tea in Treatment Colic; Arikan; April 2007
- "Bahrain Medical Bulletin"; Myths and Facts about Infantile Colic; Amani Al Hajeri; December 2008
