Which gripe water to use? Colic Calm?

IlliniQT

We are currently using Gripe Water for Colic but I just read online that you shouldn't give babies sodium bicarbonate which is in the gripe water we use, as well as one I just bought "Little Tummies".  I am considering trying colic calm which has no sodium bicarbonate but it is PRICEY, so I wanted to get some opinions before I bought it.

xBoBox

I purchased Colic Calm about 2 weeks ago. I used it for a week and didn't really notice a difference in Z. A lot of people have had success with it however. 

But...it is dark black and stains everything! I can give it to Z without messing up his clothes or anything but then when he spits up or drools it gets on his clothes and other things. It also turns his poop black, which sucks since I use cloth diapers.  

dairygirl19

Why did online say no sodium bicarbonate? I'm really interested in this as I've never heard that/researched it before.

I do use the Little Tummies brand without issue and my pedi said it was just fine but now you have me wondering too.

kristisnod

I use colic calm because as far as I know it is the only one regulated by the FDA and the dose is smaller than the little tummies one, so it is easier to give to LO.  It is true that it is black and it stains, but I just use the syringe slowly into LO's cheek and have a damp paper towel to clean any that escapes.  My LO does not spit up a lot though, so I don't have the problem the PP has.  I usually just give hit to LO 2 or 3 times in the evening/night.

IlliniQT

Sodium Bicarbonate (aka Baking Soda) is used in several gripe water brands that are sold as dietary supplements. Be careful! These are not regulated by the FDA and fall under loose dietary supplement guidelines. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali which counteracts the PH of stomach acid which is naturally created in the baby?s stomach. It can temporarily relieve some discomfort caused by acid reflux. Unfortunately, sodium bicarbonate is absorbed into the bloodstream and can have unwanted side effects. For this reason, sodium bicarbonate is not to be consumed by children under an age five years, as stated clearly on baking soda boxes. Even for adults, it should not be used for more than 2 weeks or for recurring conditions. According to some doctors, sodium bicarbonate can cause an imbalance in babies' electrolytes which can lead to serious problems.

Yellow_Daisy

I told my pedi yesterday we were using gripe water occasionally and he said that was fine.  He never mentioned being worried about sodium bicarbonate.  I use Mommy's Bliss and it has it in it and my LO is fine.  I'm not worried about it personally since he gets such a small amount.  I'm sure you can find a warning about just about anything if you look hard enough.  Gripe water has been around a long time and if it was seriously hurting babies it wouldn't be on the market anymore.

dairygirl19

LStorms:

Sodium Bicarbonate (aka Baking Soda) is used in several gripe water brands that are sold as dietary supplements. Be careful! These are not regulated by the FDA and fall under loose dietary supplement guidelines. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali which counteracts the PH of stomach acid which is naturally created in the baby?s stomach. It can temporarily relieve some discomfort caused by acid reflux. Unfortunately, sodium bicarbonate is absorbed into the bloodstream and can have unwanted side effects. For this reason, sodium bicarbonate is not to be consumed by children under an age five years, as stated clearly on baking soda boxes. Even for adults, it should not be used for more than 2 weeks or for recurring conditions. According to some doctors, sodium bicarbonate can cause an imbalance in babies' electrolytes which can lead to serious problems.

Thanks! I read that when I googled too. I wouldn't be too concerned about that. It's only baking soda and while it does have side effects I'm assuming you'd have to kill the bottle.

Good to know however.

alt0925

I've tried multiple different gas drops and gripe water. Nothing worked for my LO. I asked the pedi about it and I was told that those are just old wives tales, they don't actually do anything to help, which has been my experience. 

I must say however that the Gripe Water does help my LO with the crazy hiccups she gets every time she eats. Other than that, none of those products helped my daughter. 

mizurchin

Mommys Bliss has been the best ive found so far!