Parents instinctively want to do whatever they can to make their children feel better.
When a baby is fussy or has colic, many parents turn to various methods – from changing the formula to adding gripe water – to help soothe their child.
Some parents swear by a particular remedy, while others try different things until they find something that works for their baby.
For many parents, their remedy of choice is gripe water.
If you are one such parent, you may be having a hard time giving your baby gripe water.
To be fair, some babies dislike taking medications, regardless of how they are given. Sometimes, babies just don’t like the taste of the medication.
As a last resort, you may consider mixing the gripe water with formula.
But is this a safe option? Will the gripe water still be effective?
We’ll answer all your questions about adding gripe water to formula in this post.
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of this page.
What is Gripe Water?
Gripe water is a mix of herbs and water that has been used for hundreds of years to soothe fussy babies.
It usually contains baking soda, dill seed oil and fennel seed extract, which work together to relieve pain and settle the digestive system.
It is most known for its ability to relieve colic in newborns.
When it comes to calming down a distressed infant, gripe water is really beneficial.
There are many different brands of gripe water available on the market, but it is important to do your research before choosing one.
Because some contain alcohol and sugar. While sugar may increase the risk of tooth decay, it can also affect your baby’s feeding habits.
Some of the ingredients in gripe water are sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), fennel oil, dill seed oil, ginger root, chamomile flowers, sugar or glycerin, and purified water.
Is Gripe Water Safe for Babies?
Gripe water is generally safe to give to infants.
Gripe water is made with several natural ingredients to ensure that it is safe for your baby.
It is made of various herbal blends that are extremely gentle on an infant’s digestive tract.
However, it is always best to speak with your pediatrician before starting any new supplement.
Some brands of gripe water aren’t recommended for babies under the age of one month, so always check the label instructions before giving it to your baby.
RELATED: Why you NEED to wait 30 minutes before adding water to formula
Can You Add Gripe Water To Formula?
Yes, gripe water can be added to formula.
Adding gripe water to your baby’s formula is an easier way to give this herbal supplement to your formula-fed baby who suffers from gas and colic.
Because giving gripe water directly to babies may cause them to choke, mixing it with their formula is a safer option.
While this is probably safe, you should give your baby gripe water on its own for the best results.
Since gripe water is a mild supplement, adding it to formula dilutes the solution.
Whether or not gripe water should be added to formula is also a matter of personal preference.
But if you’ve ever been in a desperate situation where your sick baby has refused to take his meds the traditional way, you’ll be eager to try anything!
Some people believe that gripe water can help relieve symptoms such as gas and fussiness in infants, while others feel that it is not necessary and can even make things worse.
Ultimately, it is up to the parents to decide if they want to add gripe water to their infant’s formula.
SEE ALSO: How to mix formula without any clumps at all!
Do You Give Gripe Water Before Or After Feeding?
Every baby is different and will respond differently to gripe water. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to giving it to them.
That said, many babies seem to benefit from administering gripe water after feeding.
For this reason, Mommybliss advises that you wait at least 30 minutes after feeding before giving your baby gripe water.
This will give your baby time to digest their food.
If you give the gripe water too soon after a meal, your infant may vomit because the components may not mix well with the food in the stomach.
Try out different times to find what works best for your child.
How To Give Gripe Water To Your Baby?
There are many ways to give gripe water to your baby, but the most common method is to put a few drops in their mouth with a dropper.
Here’s how to administer gripe water to your baby step by step.
Step 1: Check the label on the gripe water bottle to ensure that it is suitable for your baby’s age.
Step 2: Shake the gripe water bottle well before opening it.
Step 3: Follow the dose instructions on the gripe water bottle package.
Step 4: Keep your baby upright to avoid causing them to gag or choke.
Step 5: Use a medicine dropper, if available, to administer the supplement. If you do not have a dropper, you can use a syringe, or add the gripe water to a slow flow nipple on your baby’s bottle.
Step 6: To give your baby the gripe water, place the medicine dropper in their mouth and slowly push it against their cheek. They will swallow it bit by bit, so wait until they’re done before giving them more.
How Long Does Gripe Water Take To Work?
The answer varies.
Some babies will experience relief from gas and colic symptoms immediately after using gripe water, while others may take longer.
With both of my babies, gripe water helped straight away.
I was so happy with how fast gripe water worked with my first that I didn’t hesitate to use it again with my second!
Gripe Water Alternatives
While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for a fussy or colicky baby, there are many potential gripe water substitutes available.
Some parents might choose to use a different product if their child experiences discomfort from gripe water.
Others might simply want to try a different product in case their baby does not respond well to gripe water.
Here are some potential alternatives for gripe water:
Antigas Drops
Simethicone is the active ingredient in most over-the-counter antigas drops, and it works by breaking up gas bubbles.
There are several different brands of simethicone drops available including Little Tummys Gas Relief Drops, Phazyme, and Mylicon.
The drops can be administered to the baby by mixing them with water, formula, or breast milk.
Change the Formula
There are a few different changes you can make to your formula to help a colicky baby.
One change that is often recommended is to add rice cereal to the formula.
The rice cereal will thicken the formula and make it less likely to cause gas and bloating in your baby.
Another change you can make is the type of formula you are using.
If your baby is having trouble digesting the lactose in regular cow’s milk-based formula, you can switch to a soy-based formula or a hydrolyzed protein formula.
These formulas are easier for babies to digest than cow milk-based formulas.
Infant Massage
Gas and indigestion can be relieved by massaging the baby’s stomach.
Probiotic Drops
These are beneficial for overall gut health and also help to reduce gas and bloating.
Infant probiotics can help to regulate the digestive system.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a natural relaxant and can be given to babies who are restless or have colic problems.
Chamomile has a soothing effect on the stomach and can help to calm an infant down.
Swaddling
There is some evidence that suggests that wrapping your baby snugly in a blanket and rocking a colicky baby can help to calm them down.
Ginger
Ginger is also known for its soothing properties, and it can help to calm an infant’s stomach.
Conclusion
There is a lot of debate on whether gripe water can be added to formula.
Some people believe that it is safe to add gripe water to formula, while others believe that it can be dangerous.
There are pros and cons to adding gripe water to formula.
On the one hand, adding gripe water to formula can help parents easily administer this supplement and limit the chances of your baby choking.
On the other hand, mixing gripe water with your baby’s milk might reduce its effectiveness.
In my opinion, it is safe and can be added to gripe water but the ultimate decision lies with you, the parent.