gripe water

Last reviewed 01/2018

Gripe water

• used in the managment of infantile colic
• original Woodward's Gripe Water contained 3.6% alcohol, dill oil, sodium bicarbonate, sugar and water
  • original formulation now varies slightly according to the country of manufacture
    • in many countries including the UK, alcohol and sucrose have been replaced with other ingredients
      • dill or fennel and sodium bicarbonate continue to be the primary active ingredients
  • evidence of gripe water's effectiveness has been limited to anecdotal accounts, there has been speculation about the reasons for the effectiveness of gripe water. Its commercial success has led to many imitations, including some of which that have strayed substantially from the original formulation
  • manufactuer's of Woodward's Gripe Water state that "...Dill Oil warms and relaxes the tummy, breaking down trapped air bubbles. Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate neutralises acid in the baby's tummy. The results are usually a resounding burp..."

Reference:

• 1) Blumenthal, I. The Gripe Water Story. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 2000;93 (4): 172-174