Using Gas Drops for Babies – Is It Safe?

Does your baby usually cry profusely, wake up in the middle of the night, or generally appear cranky? Well, it is quite likely that your baby may be having gas trouble. Gas is a common problem among babies and infants because their immature immune systems do not always digest food properly. Where some parents wait for it to subside on its own, others may panic and look for quick resorts to soothe their crying baby and opt for solutions such as gas drops for babies. Do these drops work? How should you give them, and what is the correct dosage? Find out the answers to all such questions in the following article.

What Are Gas Drops?

Gas drops are medicines used to relieve the symptoms of gas, indigestion or tummy pain in infants and babies. It contains simethicone, which is a silicone latex that scatters and prevents gas bubbles from forming in the gastrointestinal tract (1). Later, since simethicone is not absorbed by the body, it is excreted through feces (2). Some parents may administer these drops to ease digestive issues in their babies with this over-the-counter medicine.

Can You Use Gas Drops for Your Baby?

Let’s get the answer to the most important question, “Are infant gas drops safe for newborns?” Usually, gas drops are considered safe for babies as they primarily contain simethicone, which is a non-toxic ingredient for babies (3). Thus, it can be safely administered to treat tummy troubles in babies (4). However, some drops may contain simethicone, which may contain artificial sweeteners or flavours that can harmful to your baby’s health. You must read the label of the medicine carefully to see whether or not your baby may be allergic to any of the ingredients.

How to Administer Gas Drops

The gas drops are administered orally or into your baby’s mouth with a dropper or a spoon. You should hold your baby’s cheeks and pour the medicine into your baby’s mouth. Ideally, you should give the drops after meals or as per the directions from your doctor. Sometimes, your baby may not like the taste of the medicine, and in such a situation, you may add the drug to the formula milk, water or your baby’s cereal (5).

What Is the Recommended Dosage for Infants?

The dosage is usually mentioned on the medicine’s label, according to your baby’s age bracket. If you are not sure of the simethicone dose for infants or the dosage of other gas drops for infants, you can ask your doctor for the correct dosage. It is recommended to strictly follow the daily dosage limit and refrain from overdosage, as it can lead to complications. Here is the dosage chart for the recommended dosage for infants (6):

How Effective Are Infant Gas Drops?

If you wish to administer gas drops for colic or other tummy issues, you can do so because these are safe for babies. However, if you are looking for conclusive evidence or proof about whether gas drops are safe for babies or not, then, strangely, there are not many studies available to support this claim that gas drops ease your baby’s tummy issues. However, there is some evidence that depicts the positive impact of using gas drops for babies. However, the results of these studies may be considered an exception.

Are There Any Side Effects of Treating Your Baby With Gas Drops?

The side effects of gas drops are very unlikely and rarely seen. However, in some rare cases, your baby may exhibit an allergic reaction to this medicine, which may lead to:

• Swelling or itching of tongue, throat or face
• Trouble in breathing (5)
• Skin rash
• Dizziness
• Loose stools (7)

These are some of the probable side effects of anti gas drops for newborn babies that you may notice. However, there may be others, too. If you see any other side effects of these drops, you must report them to your doctor.

Are There Any Alternatives to Gas Drops?

Are baby gas drops the only option? If you are on the lookout for alternative methods of dealing with your baby’s digestive issues, here we have some recommendations that you could try:

1. Gripe Water

If you are thinking about the natural gas drop for babies, then you should consider gripe water. It can be a homoeopathic or herbal preparation and, thus, can be regarded as the best gas drops for babies.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics are a type of good bacteria available in the form of liquid to assist your baby’s immune system and reduce the symptoms of tummy ailments, such as gas, bloating, etc. However, you might have to use probiotics for some time to register its efficacy to treat gas trouble in babies.

A 2014 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the prophylactic use (oral supplementation) of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in babies during the first three months of life reduced the onset of functional gastrointestinal issues like colic, gas, and constipation (8).

3. Burping

Burping is an essential activity that should be judiciously performed after every feed. It is a practical technique of releasing trapped gas that babies swallow while breastfeeding and eating in their infancy days (9). Put them on your shoulder and gently rub their back to prompt their body’s reflexes to burp. if burping is done perfectly, there won’t be much need for baby gas relief drops.

Apart from the above-mentioned alternatives, parents can opt for other natural methods for curing gas in babies, such as ginger, chamomile, fennel, clove and others.

FAQs

1. How much time do infant gas drops take to show their effect?

Gas drops for newborns usually take 30 minutes to combine the small gas to form into larger gas bubbles for them to be able to pass through the body. They do not work instantly (4).

2. Are gas drops and gripe water the same?

Both gas drops and gripe water are oral supplements that are used to treat gas and colic issues, but thy are not the same. Gas drops contain simethicone, while grip water is made up of several herbs, sugar, and extracts.

3. What to do if I give more than the recommended dose to my baby?

Gas drops are unlikely to cause any severe complications; do not panic. In rare cases, you may notice diarrhoea, loose stools, headache, or an upset stomach. If you notice any of the symptoms in your little one, contact your doctor (10).

Stomach gas can make your baby extremely irritable and cranky. If you are on the lookout for ending your baby’s tummy woes, you may help your baby get some relief with gas drops. If at any given point in time, you feel sceptical about giving anything to cure tummy problems in your baby, you should ask your doctor for help. Your doctor’s guidance will turn out to be fruitful in solving your baby’s gas issues.

References/Resources:

1. Rogovik. A. L, Goldman. R. D; Treating infants’ colic; Can Fam Physician.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1479474/; 2005

2. Ingold. C. J; Simethicone; StatPearls; https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/29030

3. Colic and crying – self-care; MedlinePlus; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000753.htm

4. About simeticone; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/simeticone/about-simeticone/

5. Simethicone; University of Michigan Health; https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d01027a1

6. INFANTS GAS RELIEF DROPS- simethicone emulsion; Dailymed; https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=f16bbfe0-317d-4c75-b4e2-109957a9c56f&type=display

7. Torborg. L; Mayo Clinic Q and A: Gas Drops for Fussiness; Mayo Clinic; https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-gas-drops-for-fussiness/; July 2016

8. Indrio. F, et al.; Prophylactic Use of a Probiotic in the Prevention of Colic, Regurgitation, and Functional Constipation A Randomized Clinical Trial; JAMA Pediatrics; https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1812293; March 2014

9. Gassy Baby? Try These 9 Gas Relief Tips; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-relieve-baby-gas; July 2024

10. Gas Drops; Missouri Poison Center; https://missouripoisoncenter.org/is-this-a-poison/gas-drops/

Also Read: 

Saline Nasal Drops for Infants
How to Get a Baby to Take Medicine
Antibiotics for Babies – Are They Safe?
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for Babies
Home Remedies for Stomach Pain in Babies

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