If you are a parent and your baby is dealing with stomach discomfort, chances are you have been told about gripe water. This liquid herbal supplement is a well-known remedy for possibly relieving symptoms caused by gas, colic, and hiccups and is often recommended by pediatricians.
Using this product carefully and as recommended is of utmost importance. So, how often can you give gripe water to your baby? Let’s find out in this article.
How Often Can You Give Gripe Water to Your Newborn
As the gripe water comes in a liquid form, it is recommended to be given by a dropper or syringe into the baby’s mouth. This herbal supplement may be given up to six times in 24 hours.
Every baby is different, and the same applies to gripe water, which is why you need to see if administering gripe water is good for your baby before usage.
Before giving your baby gripe water, it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional to determine whether it is safe for your little one. Refraining from using gripe water containing sodium bicarbonate, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners is also recommended.
A maximum of six daily doses is generally advised if such a product is safe. It has a pleasant taste and a gentle formula so that most babies can digest it without issues.
Mainly, gripe water is given about ten minutes after feeding, and it is necessary to burp your baby immediately after each feeding. However, gripe water can also be given before feeding if your baby cannot be fed due to gastric issues.
Giving Gripe Water to Your Baby
As you purchase gripe water and open it for the first time, it is necessary to insert the applicator top until you hear a clicking sound. Based on the age and weight guidelines on the packaging, fill the dropper or a syringe, or you can also use a slow-flow empty nipple bottle.
It is advised not to give the supplement to a crying baby. Instead, hold your baby uptight and aim the dropper or syringe towards the baby’s inner cheek. Then, administer the water slowly, enabling your baby to swallow after each given amount.
This can take only a couple of minutes to give the entire serving, but a slow and steady pace is essential when giving the baby gripe water to relieve tummy discomfort.
Even though it has a pleasant taste, your baby might need some time to get used to the gripe water. After using it, your baby should rest and possibly start to feel so much better.
Uses, safety, and effectiveness
Each brand of gripe water uses a different formulation, so some can be given to babies as early as two weeks old, while others require the baby to be at least one month old. Gripe water is one of the oldest remedies for fussy and colicky babies.
This supplement is very simple to use; all you need to do is fill the dropper and drop it directly into the baby’s mouth or let it suck. The dosage must also be dispensed between the checks and the gums to avoid aspiration. Moreover, you can use a cloth and place it under the baby’s chin to prevent spillage.
As a parent, you may also think about mixing gripe water with breast milk or formula. Even though that is safe, I suggest giving your baby gripe water by itself for optimal results.
As gripe water is a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA, so it is advised to consult a medical professional before purchasing it for your baby. Moreover, it is made from ginger root extract, fennel seed extract, water, sweeteners, and passionflower extract.
Read more: How Long Does Gripe Water Take to Work
Benefits and Risks of Gripe Water
Now that I have discussed how often can you give gripe water to your little one, let’s have a look at the potential benefits and risks such a product can give.
Benefits
This type of supplement is intended to give relief to babies who are dealing with colic, fussiness, hiccups, indigestion, etc. It may also ease discomfort and nausea, which are often caused by stomach gas.
Such a supplement can be combined with other relief methods, including an abdominal massage, warm bath, gentle tummy pressure, and leg bicycling.
After using gripe water, some babies may burp much easier and become much calmer than before. In addition, grape water may battle constipation and make it easier for the baby to pass gas.
Risks
Even though gripe water is considered safe, there are some potential side effects that you need to consider. Hence, it is necessary to check all of the ingredients used in the product to prevent an allergic reaction.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary, but it is necessary to check for vomiting, itchiness, watery eyes, and change in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is necessary to contact a doctor.
Additionally, some babies may become sleepy after administering gripe water. This is due to their possible relief after dealing with colic and tension.
Also, the sugar in the supplement can potentially harm your baby’s teeth and gums. It is important to mention that his type of product is unsuitable for infants dealing with kidney problems.
Also read: Can I Use Spring Water for Baby Formula?
Conclusion
Well, this is the very end of this short article. So, if you have asked yourself how often can you give gripe water to your newborn, we hope you could have found the answer here.
Such a herbal supplement may provide many benefits for the baby. Still, it needs to be carefully used, following the recommendations of the brand and a healthcare professional that you should consult before using it.
