gripe water vs. gas drops

Giraffealaff · February 2014

Last night was really rough to LO. He was majorly fussy for a while which escalated to painful gas. In trying to remedy his ailment I grabbed my little miracles kit and busted out the gripe water and the gas drops and then freaked out for like 5 minutes because I didnt know which was the appropiate obe to use.

I wound up giving the gas drops, but really when should I be giving one vs. The other?

Soap1 · February 2014

You know, I don't think either one really does much, but it makes you feel better so use whichever you'd like. Or both.

Gas drops (simethicone) can only really help with gas in the stomach and upper intestine, not lower intestinal gas which is usually the uncomfortable kind. Gripe water isn't well regulated or well studied, so who knows if it really does anything.

But if it makes YOU feel like you're doing something to help your fussy baby, and it's consistent with your pediatrician's advice, do it!

sandraanddrew · February 2014

We were told to start with gripe water and if that doesn't work, move onto the gas drops. That was 3.5 years ago with DS though, so I'm not sure what the recommendation is now. We've just been using gripe water with DD so far and its helping somewhat. We were at the pedi yesterday and she recommended trying Bio Gaia. Which is a pro-biotic for infants. Apparently, it helps settle their stomachs and reduces the gas.

Giraffealaff · February 2014

I like tbe gripe water bc LO hiccuos constantlyyyyyy. At least 1 to 2 times per day, I think I decided to go with the gas drops though because I could tell thats what was othering him. I was just nervous about which was which and if he coukd have them boh or what.

Kinda sounds now like they are more like placebo medicines for worried mommies.

Soap1 · February 2014

Scromlette said:

I like tbe gripe water bc LO hiccuos constantlyyyyyy. At least 1 to 2 times per day, I think I decided to go with the gas drops though because I could tell thats what was othering him. I was just nervous about which was which and if he coukd have them boh or what.

Kinda sounds now like they are more like placebo medicines for worried mommies.

Totally. But simethicone is about as harmless as you can get (it isn't even absorbed into the blood stream) so gas drop away

VeronicaAnn143 · February 2014

We do both. No idea if they work but he seems better.

Soap1 · February 2014

HashtagRainbow said:

We started the Gerber Soothe drops (It's the identical formula as the Biogaia probiotic and even has their logo on the box--but half the cost!). It seems to help her gas but we are only 2 days into using it. Gripe water did nothing for her gas OR colic. I feel like we are going to go broke purchasing remedies to try to manage this, but I'm hopeful the probiotic will be the winner!

There actually is some good evidence for probiotics!

eg214 · February 2014

clb2196 said:
The gas drops don't seem to help us much. The gripe water I think he likes the taste? If he's fussy and you give him some he immediately stops crying, it's amazing. Just that seems to be enough to get him to sleep, even if it isn't actually doing much after that.

I've been thinking about doing probiotics too. Not sure if we should get some for LO or if I should get them myself, I seem to remenbr they'd get passed through BM?

Oh oh! I'd love to know if probs get passed through BM! I take them and would love to know before I give her some also. Do share if you find out.

Soap1 · February 2014

eg214 said:

The gas drops don't seem to help us much. The gripe water I think he likes the taste? If he's fussy and you give him some he immediately stops crying, it's amazing. Just that seems to be enough to get him to sleep, even if it isn't actually doing much after that. I've been thinking about doing probiotics too. Not sure if we should get some for LO or if I should get them myself, I seem to remenbr they'd get passed through BM?
Oh oh! I'd love to know if probs get passed through BM! I take them and would love to know before I give her some also. Do share if you find out.

"Because probiotics are rarely systemically absorbed, they are not expected to transfer into breast milk. One randomized control trial examined Lactobacillus reuteri levels in 174 colostrum samples after maternal and infant oral supplementation of this probiotic. Although higher in the active than in the placebo group, the prevalence of L reuteri in colostrum was low and not clinically important."

Elias et. al. 2011

ZAngel · February 2014

The gas drops seem to help LO quite a bit. I can see his tummy swell and he will start with the blood curdling screams (obviously in pain). After giving the gas drops, he will start farting a lot and then eventually has a good bowel movement. If he's just a little fussy, has a hard time finishing the BM but still acts hungry and does this butt wiggle/grunt... then I give the gripe water a try.

Nikkijo1022 · February 2014

You read my mind today so thanks for this post OP!! I sat and did the exact same thing (debated on both) and went with has drops. Don't know why. LO is sleeping sound for the first time in 24 hours!! We will see how he is when he wakes up. I'll probably try gripe water next time for a compare... I didn't ask pediatrician which makes me kind of nervous but oh well.

ShePersisted · February 2014

My pedi suggested camomile tea. He does not really believe in gripe water as much but said an oz of Camomile tea might help soothe the baby. I tried it a couple days along with the gas drops so not sure which one worked as LO did calm down a bit. I also read that if you are BF then it is beneficial for the mother to have a cup or so a day as well.
I have been a little skeptical as I don't know about giving any kind of tea to LO ( only 2 weeks old) but looks like there are a lot of websites that promote camomile as well. Would be curious to know if anyone else's pedi suggested the same.

tasogirl1 · February 2014

Which gas drops do you ladies use? Tried gripe water and it just isn't working..

rachaelmary · February 2014

Hg45 said:
My pedi suggested camomile tea. He does not really believe in gripe water as much but said an oz of Camomile tea might help soothe the baby. I tried it a couple days along with the gas drops so not sure which one worked as LO did calm down a bit. I also read that if you are BF then it is beneficial for the mother to have a cup or so a day as well.
I have been a little skeptical as I don't know about giving any kind of tea to LO ( only 2 weeks old) but looks like there are a lot of websites that promote camomile as well. Would be curious to know if anyone else's pedi suggested the same.

Sounds interesting! My LO has been so fussy today and only has had 2 good bowel movements. Shes super gassy though, wiggly and grunting and passing a little bit of gas every now and then. I don't have gas drops or gripe water, so I was gonna buy some yesterday.

Now I think I'm gonna go drink some camomile tea and see if she's better tomorrow!

Want a personalized experience?

gripe water vs. gas drops

Re: gripe water vs. gas drops

Choose Another Board

Search Boards