Colicaid drops Vs gripe water: what works better for babies?

Every time I log into any parenting forum or share any article about newborns, one question that always comes up is how to take care of baby’s colic and whether or not it is safe to give colicaid or gripe water.

I remember the first time I became a mum I was absolutely scared out of my wits to see my baby cry so much! What was I doing wrong? What could I do to make her feel better? When I finally realized it was colic, the first question that came to my mind was whether or not I should give her gripe water, or colic aid – both suggested by other moms.

With my second baby, the colic got even more severe, and we had to try a mix of both as it was getting too difficult for her to stay alright.

But there was always this thought at the back of my mind – are these safe? And if yes, which is safer and which one should I give my little one?

Colicaid is a type of medicinal drops that help to reduce any extra gas build up inside the body, which ultimately causes pain and discomfort to baby, making them cry. Newborns often end up gulping air, which leads to extra gas formation.

Also, it can sometimes be caused by having infant formula. The colic aid drops help to break up the gas bubbles and release it out of the baby’s system.

Usually, you will have to mix the age-appropriate dose with your infant or baby’s milk, water or liquid. Make sure you speak to the doctor first to know the right dosage.

Gripe water is a type of herbal water that has a variation of herbs. It mainly consists of fennel seeds (saunf), ginger, cinnamon, lemon, chamomile, and licorice. All these herbs help in improving digestion and can help to remove any gas build-up from your baby’s system, as well as prevent further gas build-up.

As it usually tastes nice, you can give it directly to your baby after a feed, so that it prevents the gas from forming. However, if your baby does not like the taste, you can add it to breastmilk, water or liquid. Make sure you speak to the doctor first to know the right dosage.

It is difficult to say which one is safer and which one is the better choice because both colicaid and gripe water do not treat colic, but only help to control the problem for some time.

Also, different babies will react differently to both, so you have to keep checking if your baby has a negative reaction to either.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for colic, and most babies get out of it by the fifth month. Here are a few things you can do in the meanwhile to reduce the pain and discomfort.

• Make sure to burp your baby after each feed and through the day, as this will help to release gas.
• Lay down your baby on his or her back, hold the legs in a cycling motion and keep moving accordingly. Do this a few times through the day.
• Place your baby’s head in a slightly elevated position while feeding.
• Try soothing techniques such as rocking, swaddling, patting the back, massaging the tummy, speaking softly and so on.
• Try keeping the feeds a little smaller and keep them more frequent instead. This will avoid your baby from getting too full, which can also cause colic.

Helping your baby through colic can be stressful for you too, so if you feel you are getting impatient, angry, frustrated or too tired, ask your partner or a family member to help.

If you feel any signs of anger or feel like hurting yourself or your baby, please speak to your doctor about it and ask for help.

Read: The best way to treat infant colic is by changing mother's diet