Easy Homemade Gripe Water Recipe for Babies

A baby crying due to stomach problems is not a new occurrence. All babies suffer from stomach issues at some time. What’s important is how parents tackle it. As first-time parents, you will have no idea what to do.

Do you recall your mother and grandmother talking about the umpteen benefits of gripe water, and how it calms a baby?  Gripe water is usually recommended for babies with stomach problems; however, it should not be given to a baby under the age of 6 months, and babies should exclusively be breastfed till they’re 6 months old. Although gripe water is readily available in various medical stores, the constituents used in it may not always be suitable for your child. Hence, you must opt for homemade gripe water, which is safe for a baby.

Benefits of the Ingredients Used in Homemade Gripe Water

The preparation of gripe water makes use of very specific ingredients. These have been chosen for an essential reason since each ingredient adds a vital benefit to the gripe water. When these benefits combine, the cumulative effect is what relieves the gas-related issues, and other digestive problems that a baby might be suffering from.

1. Cloves

Cloves play an essential role in various natural remedies and are highly recommended for respiratory issues too.

How Does It Help?

Cloves consist of numerous properties that directly impact the digestive system. They help in reducing any kind of bloating caused by digestive activities, as well as in calming the inner body with its pain-relieving properties.

2. Natural Sweetener

A baby will have gripe water only if it tastes good, hence adding a natural sweetener to it is important.

How Does It Help?

Instead of going for natural sugar, coconut sugar is recommended as a sweetener as it is easier for the baby to digest it. Any artificial sweeteners or even honey is to be avoided.

3. Cinnamon

A pinch of cinnamon powder mixed with water is usually given to people with a stomach ache. Cinnamon is an important ingredient of gripe water for the immense benefits it offers to the baby.

How Does It Help?

Cinnamon has been known to work wonders in reducing gas and treating indigestion problems. Therefore, it is included in gripe water.

4. Chamomile

The benefits of chamomile tea include controlling pain and calming the mind. So, adding chamomile to gripe water will help the baby in case of any pain.

How Does It Help? 

Chamomile flowers used in the preparation of gripe water will ensure that any inflammation inside the baby gets a soothing effect, and allows the little one to relax and sleep well.

5. Fennel Seeds

The benefits of fennel seeds are quite exhaustive, and their effect on the body, right from improving the health to relieving various stomach issues have been well-known for quite some time. This is why including them in gripe water would prove beneficial for the baby.

How Does It Help?

Fennel seeds have laxative properties, and they also contain an essential element that prevents the formation of gas, making them a useful addition in the gripe water preparation.

6. Ginger

Ginger is an essential ingredient used in numerous natural remedies, and the effects of ginger can be listed extensively in matters of keeping the digestive system intact.

How Does It Help?

Any chances of a baby suffering from diarrhoea, colic infection, indigestion, or any other stomach problems are nipped in the bud with the gripe water that contains ginger in it.

How to Make Gripe Water for Infants at Home?

You only require a few specific ingredients to make gripe water at home for your baby. However, gripe water provides its beneficial effects for only a week or so. Hence, any remaining water should be frozen to keep its effectiveness intact. Here’s a homemade gripe water recipe for infants.

Required Ingredients

The ingredients needed to prepare gripe water at home are as follows:

• Ground clove
• Ground cinnamon
• Coconut sugar or strictly natural sweeteners
• Dried and crushed cardamom
• Dried and crushed fennel seeds
• Dried chamomile flowers
• Fresh ginger, sliced
• Purified water

How to Prepare Gripe Water

Preparing gripe water using the ingredients mentioned above is not a complex process. The steps are as follows:

1. Take the purified water in a large pan or a kettle. Let it boil.
2. In a cloth tea bag, add the cardamom, fennel, chamomile, and ginger.
3. Once the water boils, turn off the heat and place the bag in the pan. Let the bag sit in it for around 30 minutes.
4. Remove the bag from the water after 30 minutes, and add the coconut sugar or any other natural sweetener, ground clove, and cinnamon. Mix it well and give it to your baby once it cools down. Store the rest in the fridge in an airtight glass bottle.

Notes

This mixture is most effective within a week of preparation, so it’s advisable to freeze a portion of it. Ensure you shake thoroughly before each use. Here are the recommended dosages (do not exceed 6 doses in a 24-hour period):

• 0-3 months: 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml)
• 3-6 months: 1 tsp. (5 ml)
• 6-12 months: 2 tsp. (10 ml)

FAQs

1. Can I use different herbs or ingredients in my homemade gripe water?

Yes, you can experiment with different herbs or ingredients in your homemade gripe water. Some parents choose to add fennel seeds, chamomile flowers, or ginger for their soothing properties.

2. How should I store homemade gripe water, and how long does it last?

Homemade gripe water should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and potency. It is typically effective for up to one week. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze portions of the mixture in ice cube trays and thaw as needed. Always shake well before use to ensure the ingredients are properly mixed.

Homemade gripe water for newborns is always better than the ones that are commercially available, as you are sure of the way it has been prepared and there is no trace of adulteration in it. This quick recipe will solve all the stomach problems that your baby is experiencing in a couple of days.

References/Resources:

1. Medarov. B; Milk-Alkali Syndrome (Mayo Clinic Proceedings); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664604/; March 2009

2. Will gripe water help my baby’s colic? Is it safe?; Sutter Health; https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/south-asian/childrens/myths

3. Kopač. M; Evaluation and Treatment of Alkalosis in Children (Journal of Pediatric Intensive Care); National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6517058/; June 2019

4. Sugars and dental caries; World Health Organization; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sugars-and-dental-caries

5. Why Gripe Water Isn’t the Best Answer for Your Fussy, Gassy or Colicky Baby; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gripe-water-for-babies

6. Sas. D, Enrione. M, Schwartz. R; Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock secondary to “Gripe Water” ingestion; The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal; https://journals.lww.com/pidj/fulltext/2004/02000/pseudomonas_aeruginosa_septic_shock_secondary_to.19.aspx; February 2004

7. Alexandrovich. I, Rakovitskaya. O, Kolmo. E, et al.; The effect of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) seed oil emulsion in infantile colic: a randomized, placebo-controlled study (Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12868253/

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