What is Gripe Water?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about one in five infants will develop colic. Colic causes excessively fussy infants and can be difficult for both the baby and parents to handle. This means many parents head to the pharmacy to find a product that can provide some quick relief. One such product is gripe water.

  1. History of Gripe Water

    • Gripe water has a long history dating back to 1851 in England. Gripe water was created by accident when an American pharmacy apprentice, William Woodward, noticed the calming effects certain malaria treatments had on babies with colic. Woodward quickly adapted the formula for the treatments to cater to the colicky baby. His formula became increasingly popular in England and later throughout the world. The original formula was labeled a drug and was purchased through pharmacies. Gripe water today is sold over-the-counter and each formula can vary greatly. It is important to note that the original gripe water formula was banned in 1982 in the United States due to its drug classification and FDA regulation.

    Symptom Relievers

    • Gripe water has been touted to treat a variety of different ailments in babies and small children. Gripe water was originally designed to treat babies with colic. Later gripe water manufacturers claimed benefits for gas relief, gastrointestinal illness, teething pain or even hiccups. Each brand of gripe water will have a different list of symptoms the formula is designed to treat.

    Varying Ingredients

    • According to Heidi Murkoff, author of best-selling book "What to Expect When You Are Expecting", the original formula of gripe water consisted of alcohol, bicarbonate, sugar, ginger, dill, fennel and chamomile. Many of these original ingredients were later found to be harmful to babies, which resulted in the removal of the original formula from the US market. Each gripe water product will have different ingredients. Popular herbal ingredients in gripe water include: cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, clove, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, licorice, peppermint and yarrow. With each product varying significantly, it is important to read the label before purchase. An article in American Family Physicians suggests avoiding products that contain alcohol or sugar.

    Safety Considerations

    • Always consult your physician for any ongoing issues with your baby. Over-the-counter remedies such as gripe water should be discussed with your physician before use as gripe water has not been scientifically tested for effectiveness. An article in American Family Physician also suggests only purchasing gripe water manufactured in the United States.

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