Image: MomJunction Design Team
If your baby experiences pain and discomfort after feeding, we have compiled a list of the best gripe water solutions to help you choose the right one. Gripe water helps boost the digestive function of an immature digestive system. For ages, parents have been using it to soothe a fussy baby. If your child feels uncomfortable due to an upset stomach or indigestion, gripe water can help relieve the pain. So, if you have been feeling helpless as your baby cries in discomfort, you can give gripe water a shot. Browse through our list to choose the right product for your child.
Top Picks
11 Best Gripe Water For Babies, Reviews For 2024
1. Best Chemical-Free: Little Remedies Day/Night Gripe Water
This mixture of water combines the goodness of gentle herbs to ease your baby’s stomach from gas, hiccups, fussiness, colic, and other discomforts. It is made with lemon balm and chamomile, natural ingredients which can help soothe your baby to sleep. It also contains ginger and fennel to aid in digestion and is made with purified water.
Caution: Statements are not evaluated by the FDA and do not intend to cure, diagnose, or treat diseases or health conditions.
Pros
- Free from parabens and gluten
- Free from artificial colors and dyes
- Safe and effective for newborns
- Does not contain sodium bicarbonate
Cons
- Some babies might not like the taste of herbs
"I've tried different colic relievers, but none have been as efficient as this one. The formula does stain if it comes in contact with clothes, but the mess-free dispenser has reduced those instances to a minimum."
CautionAlways store this product at room temperature and keep it out of children’s reach. Further, avoid using this product if the child has renal or kidney problems.
2. Best For Quick Soothing: Little Remedies Fast Acting Gripe Water
The Little Remedies fast-acting gripe water is just what you need to help your babies get quick relief from colic woes. This fast-acting relief-bestowing gripe water has been around for ages. The organic gripe water for fussy infants combines chamomile and lemon balm to gently soothe your baby’s digestive tract.
Caution: Statements are not evaluated by the FDA and do not intend to cure, diagnose, or treat diseases or health conditions.
Pros
- Contains no artificial flavors or color
- Free of parabens and gluten
- Contains herbal ingredients like ginger and fennel
- Helps aid in digestion
- Made with purified water
- Offers quick relief from digestive discomfort
Cons
- Might make the baby sleepy
"From gas to hiccups, this remedy has worked for it all. Besides, the sweet taste and absence of alcohol make it easy for my baby to swallow the liquid. Hence, I would recommend it to all parents."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has earned its stripes, with over 19,002 reviews on Amazon.
3. Best For Sensitive Palate: Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water Original
Keep your baby free from discomfort with the mom-approved herbal solution of ginger and fennel. This baby care specialist-approved original gripe water for baby fussiness helps relieve your baby from tummy woes and keeps gas and colic away. The natural and organic power of ginger eases your baby from uncomfortable hiccups too.
Pros
- Suitable for baby’s sensitive palate
- No added sugar or alcohol
- Made with vegan ingredients
- Free from artificial colors and flavors
NSF-certified
Cons
- Vegetable charcoal has a strong flavor that some babies might not like, this ingredient can also permanently stain clothing
"Although skeptical, this colic relief has done wonders for my little one. It did require administration at the prescribed time, but the benefits have been impressive. Plus, it even helped my little one sleep better."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 9,889 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.
Little Remedies Day/Night Gripe Water Best Chemical-Free | Little Remedies Fast Acting Gripe Water Best For Quick Soothing | Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water Original Best For Sensitive Palate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.75 x 1.94 x 4.75 inches | 1.94 x 2.13 x 5 inches | 4 x 2 x 4.75 inches |
| Weight | 9.88 Ounces | 4.17 Ounces | 8 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 3,840 | 19,002 | 9,889 |
| Price | $14.99 | $8.59 | $22.93 |
4. Best For Digestive Problems: Colic Calm Homeopathic Medicine
This expert-approved gripe water combines the power of eight natural homeopathic ingredients–peppermint, lemon balm, ginger, fennel, caraway, blackthorn, chamomile, and vegetable charcoal. The Colic Calm solution relieves your baby from upset stomach and digestive discomforts.
Pros
- Pediatrician-recommended gripe water
- Contains high-quality ingredients
- FDA-approved, and GMP-compliant
- No risk of side effects
Cons
- Vegetable charcoal has a strong flavor that some babies might not like, this ingredient can also permanently stain clothing
Pro tipThe vegetable charcoal within can stain clothing, so have a burp cloth handy to catch any drops or dribble!
5. Best For Fast And Effective Relief: Wellements Organic Gripe Water
For a healthy tomorrow in your kid’s life, try the Wellements Organic gripe water. It is easy to use and is made with expert-approved natural herbs. This gripe water for newborns is made with vegan ingredients and is free of chemicals and parabens to ensure the safety of your baby.
Pros
- Free from artificial flavors and colors
- Alcohol-free gripe water for newborns
- Soothing solution for baby indigestion
- Does not use preservatives
- Gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free
- Fast and effective
Cons
- Has to be refrigerated once opened
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 4,852 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
6. Best Alcohol-Free: Dr. Chase Kolik Gripe Water
The Dr. Chase gripe water is formulated with purified water instead of alcohol to extract stomach soothing properties from fennel seeds. This safe and effective ingredient has been used for gas relief among babies for decades. This soothing tummy tonic for babies provides fast and gentle relief from colic, upset stomach, hiccups, and cramps.
Pros
- No artificial flavors
- Natural, botanical ingredients
- Easy to administer
- Offers quick relief to a gassy baby
Cons
- May have a strong smell
"Thanks to the gas relief offered by this gripe water, my little one now peacefully sleeps throughout the night. Moreover, its high-quality, sugar-free ingredients have kept allergies and irritation at bay."
7. Best Pleasant-Flavored: ChildLife Essentials Organic Gripe Water
ChildLife Essentials’ gripe water contains all-natural and organic ingredients like kiwi, fennel, ginger, and dill. These active ingredients help tackle different stomach concerns like bloating, flatulence, nausea, colic, and cramps in an effective and gentle manner. The pleasant taste of this gripe water can make it palatable for most babies. The greatest assurance for parents is that this baby herbal supplement for gas relief has been formulated by a pioneering pediatrician.
Pros
- Allergen-free
- Offers digestive support for newborns
- Artificial flavor-, dye-, and sweetener-free
- Easy to dispense dropper
- Free of GMO foods and gluten
Cons
- Not FDA-approved
"I have seen a praiseworthy improvement in my son’s digestive issues after I started him on this gripe water. Its flavor is also palatable, and its effectiveness has made it find a permanent spot in my medicine cabinet."
8. Best Certified Organic Ingredients: Wellements Organic Nighttime Gripe Water
If your baby’s discomfort prevents you and your baby from getting a good night’s sleep, you may try the Wellements Organic Nighttime gripe water, which might promote relaxation and help your baby fall asleep more peacefully. This herbal gripe water for babies uses certified organic ingredients and gives your little one a herbal remedy for hiccups, colic, and fussiness.
Pros
- Free from preservatives and parabens
- Does not contain gluten, soy, and diary
- Free from dyes, artificial color, and flavors
Cons
- Quickly perishable
"This product has helped with my little one’s digestive issues regardless of when or where I have used it. The refrigeration part feels like a hassle, but the natural ingredients and effectiveness keep me coming back to this product."
9. Best To Relieve Gas And Nausea: Colic-Ease Gripe Water
The Colic-Ease gripe water formula is made from essential oils of dill weed seeds, cinnamon bark, clove bud, caraway seed, and cardamom seed along with other ingredients. It is an effective solution for baby stomach discomfort relief.
Pros
- Helps relieve gas, heartburns, indigestion, nausea
- Contains no harmful ingredients
- Suitable for babies and adults
Cons
- The smell might not be appealing
"I prefer using this gripe water as a solution whenever my baby experiences gas or refluxWhile the scent feels unusual, the relief offered by this product has made it a staple in my household."
10. Best Vegetarian-Friendly: Maxi Health Kiddie Max Premium Gripe Water Plus
A formula that is made to achieve fast relief from gas, hiccups, bloating, and fussiness by dissolving the bubbles in your baby’s tummy, the Kiddie Max Premium gripe water Plus can be mixed with milk or water to make it easy to consume. Trusted by many, it is a calming solution for baby colic.
Pros
- Helps relieve painful gas
- Made with USP purified water
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Kosher-certified
- Free of parabens, gluten, and additives
Cons
- Shorter shelf life
"This gripe water has offered almost instantaneous relief from gas and spit-up issues. It even tastes good and is easy to dispense. However, I recommend seating your baby while administering it to prevent choking."
11. Best Sugar-Free: Woodwards Gripe Water
Woodward’s gripe water provides relief from colic by combining and releasing all gas bubbles from the baby’s tummy. Infused with natural sodium bicarbonate, ginger, and dill seed oil, the gripe water neutralizes stomach acid, relieves cramps, and provides gastrointestinal comfort for babies by providing warmth to their stomach.
Pros
- Non-alcoholic gripe water for infants
- Sugar-free
- Gentle on the stomach
- Suitable for all ages
- Aids digestion
Cons
- Might have an unpleasant smell
How To Choose The Right Gripe Water?
Here is a list of things to consider before choosing the right gripe water:
- Purpose – The first thing to answer is why you need gripe water? What problems are your baby facing that gripe water can solve? These answers will lead you to the gripe water as solutions to your baby’s problems. Whether it’s gas, hiccups, indigestion, or constipation, choosing the gripe water formula appropriately is key.
- Ingredients – Now that you understand the kinds of active ingredients used in making gripe water, you should keep in mind the underlying causes of your baby’s discomfort. Choosing gripe water with all-natural ingredients is the best option to provide maximum relief to your baby. Also, ensure that the formula utilizes natural and baby-safe ingredients to neutralize the taste of herbs.
- Quantity – If you’re looking to buy gripe water that lasts a long time, the quantity matters too. Some brands are more perishable than others while some can be stored for longer periods. Moreover, a high quantity of gripe water usually uses low-quality ingredients. Therefore, it is important to read the labels before making a purchase.
- Price – If you can afford premium quality gripe water, always opt for that because they use high-quality ingredients and take extra measures to keep your baby safe. Always read the labels and be familiar with all the active ingredients and additional ingredients that go into the gripe water formula that you purchase.
Is Gripe Water Safe? What Are The Side Effects Of Gripe Water?
Gripe water is an ancient herbal remedy for tummy problems that babies face. It is made with active ingredients like ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, and cinnamon, among other such herbal ingredients. It relieves your baby from gas and ingestion.
Although gripe water is made from natural ingredients, it is still a foreign substance for your baby. Anything other than breast milk in the first six months is said to increase the chances of bacteria in your baby and can disrupt your baby’s gut biom. However, to ease digestion and improve colic health, many health professionals say that it is generally safe to administer gripe water to your baby. Nevertheless, we recommend that you speak to your doctor before giving your baby gripe water to know what’s safe for your baby’s health and what is best suitable.
Are All Gripe Waters The Same?
There are a variety of options to choose from but the most common ingredients that make up gripe water are lemon balm, cinnamon, dill, chamomile, ginger, and fennel the best gripe water for newborns contains a combination of these ingredients and a few natural sweet flavors.
However, it is important to keep in mind that some gripe water also has sugars and alcohol in them. These ingredients should be avoided to maintain the health of your baby. Other ingredients to avoid are gluten, vegetable carbon, diary, and peppermint. Some babies are also allergic to certain ingredients; therefore, you must choose a tried and tested one that is best suited for your baby.
Who Needs Gripe Water?
Gripe water is primarily used to help in digestion and improve stomach health. It is said to ease gas troubles and other stomach problems in babies and anyone else with an immature digestive system. It also provides help with hiccups and colic. There is no scientific evidence that gripe water works, although many parents swear by it. The only proof we have for now is through word of mouth.
How Does Gripe Water Work?
While there is no specific recipe for gripe water, there are a few ingredients that are commonly found in them. They each contribute to easing stomach problems and making digestion an easier process. Some of the ingredients in gripe water include:
- Fennel: An ingredient packed with dietary fibers, fennel helps improve digestion in babies by increasing the gastrointestinal muscle function (1).
- Chamomile: Known for its antioxidant properties, chamomile is an anti-inflammatory and healing herb that helps ease nausea and diarrhea. It is nature’s remedy for motion sickness, vomiting, gas, and colic.
- Ginger: Used even in adults as a cure for stomach problems, ginger is a nausea treating ingredient. It stimulates saliva and bile production which helps your baby digest food easily (2).
- Cinnamon: Another ingredient that has immense antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon is known as a spice that has antimicrobial features.
- Lemon balm: With a wide range of benefits, lemon balm is known to improve body functions. It detoxifies the liver, increases immunity, and promotes healthy sleep (3).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is gripe water safe for newborns?
Gripe water is an age-old herbal solution used by mothers to alleviate their babies of stomach problems. However, check with your doctor before giving your baby gripe water. Some doctors recommend gripe water if the baby is experiencing excessive colic. However, be aware that your fussy infant should not be given gripe water during the first six months as it may cause infections (4).
2. Does gripe water work instantly?
Some babies get fussy after eating their food, but it is recommended that you wait at least 30 minutes after feeding to give your babies gripe water. It usually gives quick and maximum relief from discomfort and stomach pains.
3. Can I give my baby gripe water every day?
Provide gripe water to your baby every day only if a pediatrician suggests it. Gripe water may contain ingredients that might be allergic to your little one. Also, be aware that too much gripe water can harm the little one, and it may not be a cure for long-term digestive health issues, which instead require medical attention.
4. Does gripe water make babies sleep better?
Babies with gas and colic often feel exhausted due to discomfort. Gripe water may relieve your baby of discomfort and make them sleep well.
5. Is gas drops better than gripe water?
Gas drops contain simethicone, which helps break gas bubbles (5). In contrast, gripe water is a herbal formula to soothe your infant from gas. Both should be used only under the guidance of the pediatrician.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our team of expert writers, reviewers, and editors bring you a list of the best gripe water for babies. The options on this list are made of natural ingredients and are free of artificial colors and ingredients. Moreover, we tell you about the benefits and side effects of gripe water for babies and tell you a few pointers you should consider when choosing one.
The Bottom Line
The best gripe water for babies may help your little ones feel comfortable by improving their digestive functions and reducing colic. When choosing one, ensure it has a long shelf life, is made with natural ingredients, is certified for safety, and has a taste and flavor your little one may like. Further, read the instructions for usage and storage and pick one based on what problem you plan to solve in your little one, whether it is gas, hiccups, or indigestion. We recommend the Little Remedies Fast Acting Gripe Water if you are seeking gripe water for newborns and the Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water Original, as it is free of alcohol and artificial flavors. The Wellements Organic Gripe Water is another great option, as it is USDA-certified organic and made of non-GMO ingredients.
Infographic: How Does Gripe Water Work?
While there is no specific recipe for gripe water, a few ingredients are commonly found in them. They each contribute to easing stomach problems and making digestion an easier process. So, check out the following infographic to learn the benefits of these ingredients individually.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition Taylor & Francis Online
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637486.2011.627841 - A review of the gastroprotective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) US National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23612703 - Melissa officinalis L: A Review Study With an Antioxidant Prospective Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine US National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871149/ - Is gripe water baby-friendly?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356971/ - Breaking Up Gas
https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Breaking-Up-Gas.aspx
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