Night Time Gripe Water vs Original: Choosing for Baby’s Sleep
We’ve all been there. We’ve spent countless hours rocking babies, and nothing seems to calm them down. They are not having a good night. And as the night presses on, the harder it gets to calm your bundle of joy down. You have to turn on every light in the house, postpone dinner, and even breastfeed them again for some relief.
Well, parents of these colicky babies swear by a bottle of gripe water for some sleep! Yet, there’s just one concern… they’re not sure if they should buy Night time gripe water or Original gripe water for their nightly fretting occasion. If you are one of these parents, worry no more. You have come to the right place. We have prepared this guide with your concerns in mind.
To Night Time Gripe Water vs Original: Overview
Night Time Gripe water
The Night Time Gripe Water is a natural, non-habit-forming product for babies with colic, reflux and hiccups. It is made from a combination of natural herbs and homeopathic ingredients, known to be safe and effective for infants.
The main active ingredients in Night Time Gripe Water are chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaves, fennel seed and ginger root extract. It has been clinically proven to help relieve colic and gas in babies. It acts directly on the baby’s digestive system without causing any side effects like drowsiness or dilation of pupils.
Needless to say, what sets night time gripe water apart from its original counterpart is the high concentration of Chamomile and lemon. They are the ingredients behind its ability to induce sleep when administered.
The flavor of this gripe water is mild. It doesn’t irritate your baby’s sensitive tummy like some other brands. Did we not mention the mixing capability of this solution? You don’t have to worry about this. It mixes and blends perfectly with breastfeeding milk.
It has been used for generations by parents and medical professionals as a gentle way to soothe fussiness and help babies sleep more soundly. And good thing, it comes in a handy dropper bottle that makes it easy to administer to your crying baby.
Ultimately, give Night Time Gripe Water at bedtime after nursing for best results.
The Benefits of Night Time Gripe Water
As mentioned above, Night Time Gripe Water is a gentle, safe, and effective way to help soothe your baby’s tummy. Here are its benefits.
- Relieves teething pain
- Cools the body temperature
- Reduces flatulence
- Relieves colic
- Calms your baby down so that he can sleep better at night
Original Gripe Water
Initially, gripe water would be made using alcohol, sugar, sodium bicarbonate and dill oil. However, due to adverse effects witnessed with babies after consumption, alcohol and sugars were eliminated by the manufacturer and replaced by other natural ingredients like fennel, Ginger and Chemoline
The only remaining ingredients after the reformulation are sodium bicarbonate and dill oil, which are integral components. In essence, sodium bicarbonate is responsible for neutralizing acid in your baby’s stomach, while Dill oil is an upset digestive remedy.
Basically, Gripe Water is a soothing remedy that relieves the symptoms of colic, gas, hiccups and teething pain in babies. It’s non-drowsy, sugar-free and has no artificial colors or flavors. It is safe for breastfeeding moms and can be given to infants under 12 months old when recommended by a doctor.
Benefits of Original Gripe Water
Gripe water works by relaxing the stomach, relieving trapped wind and soothing the gut. It contains organic ginger, fennel and Chamomile, all well-known soothing herbs. Below are gripe water benefits, kinda similar to nighttime counterparts.
- Relieves gas, colic and stomach cramps
- Calms fussing and crying.
- Easy to administer; no mixing or diluting required
- It helps the baby sleep better by reducing colic symptoms.
Administering Gripe water
Gripe water is a popular home remedy for colic and gas in babies, but it’s not all of them.
So if you’re thinking about giving gripe water to your baby or toddler, consult with your doctor first. For example, gripe water isn’t advised if your baby has been diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.
It may also be problematic if they have diabetes or phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder causing an inability to process amino acids.
Although gripe water can be purchased at most drugstores and pharmacies without a prescription, it pays to read the instructions before using it. You will notice that some brands may contain only two active ingredients: sodium bicarbonate (which neutralizes stomach acid) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (which relieves gas).
Others may contain additional ingredients such as fennel seed, licorice root extract and ginger root extract, which may help also relieve gas symptoms. Ultimately be keen enough when administering any form of gripe water to your infant.
Side Effects of Gripe Water
Gripe water is safe and gentle. It’s made from herbs, fennel and Chamomile. It has no side effects at all when taken as directed. However, a small percentage of toddlers may experience mild gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions such as hives or skin rashes. Yet, the risk of these allergic reactions is low; it is worth knowing the symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Upset
Gripe water can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some infants, although uncommon. In case your child experiences diarrhea after using gripe water, immediately contact your doctor for treatment.
Allergic Reactions
The most common allergic reaction reported with gripe water is hives or redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes (conjunctivitis). Other possible signs may include facial swelling and difficulty breathing (wheezing).
Fussiness
Additionally, your baby may become fussy after you give him gripe water.
Alternatives To Gripe water
If you’re concerned about gripe water, consider the below alternative:
Try antigas drops
These drops contain simethicone, which breaks up gas bubbles in the intestines. They’re available without a prescription at most drugstores and pharmacies.
Conclusion
Night Time Gripe Water has the same benefits as Original, but with a twist. The addition of Chamomile, ginger root, licorice, lemon balm and fennel has a calming effect that helps reduce gas and colic.
The aromatic and spicy herbs present in the original formula have also been enhanced to provide additional relief and an added spicy punch. However, Night Time Gripe Water is still formulated to be safe for babies sensitive to spices.
Ultimately, no matter which one you decide to buy, these gripe waters are excellent options.