Quick answer: Gripe water has no reliable clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness for colic, wind, or digestive discomfort. It is generally safe, but it’s also generally inert — the benefit most parents observe is likely a placebo effect or normal variability in symptom severity.
What gripe water actually contains
Gripe water’s recipe has changed significantly since it was first compounded by William Woodward in 1851 (the original formula contained alcohol and sodium bicarbonate — neither of which should go anywhere near a baby). Modern UK formulations typically contain: dill seed oil (carminative — may reduce gas), bicarbonate of soda (antacid), and sugar syrup or sweetener. US formulations vary considerably and may contain ginger, fennel, chamomile, or other herbal ingredients. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has not approved any gripe water as a licensed medicine — it’s sold as a food supplement. In the US, it’s also unregulated as a supplement.
What the evidence shows
Multiple systematic reviews have found no high-quality randomised controlled trial evidence that gripe water reduces infant crying, colic symptoms, or gas more than placebo. A 2019 Cochrane review of interventions for infant colic found insufficient evidence to support gripe water specifically. The studies that have been done are small, methodologically weak, and produce inconsistent results. This doesn’t mean gripe water never works for any baby — but any benefit observed may be the sugar content temporarily soothing a baby, normal symptom variability, or the placebo effect on the caregiver.
What does have evidence
For contrast, here’s what does have evidence for infant colic and gas: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 probiotic drops — multiple randomised trials showing approximately 50-minute reduction in daily crying for breastfed colicky babies; simethicone has no better evidence than gripe water but is also harmless; the 5 S’s soothing technique (Harvey Karp) has clinical support; and eliminating cow’s milk protein from the breastfeeding mother’s diet if CMPA is suspected has evidence for a subset of babies with specific presentations.
Should I use it anyway?
It’s a fair question. Gripe water is harmless at recommended doses for babies over 1 month (check the specific product age recommendation). If you find it works for your baby, the benefit-risk calculation is favourable — there’s no significant risk and the harm of not using something effective is real. But knowing that the mechanism is likely not pharmacological helps set appropriate expectations. If it appears to work, it may be the ritual, the sweet taste, the brief distraction, or lucky timing — all of which are fine reasons for something to ‘work.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gripe water safe for newborns?
Most formulations are not recommended for babies under 1 month. Some state 4–6 weeks as the minimum age. Always check the specific product instructions. The bicarbonate of soda in most formulations can interfere with the acidic stomach environment that helps babies digest milk in early infancy.
Can I give gripe water before every feed?
Not recommended — the regular sugar intake can contribute to dental caries when teeth arrive, and the bicarbonate can affect gastric acidity with frequent use. Gripe water is designed for occasional use, not prophylactic administration before every meal.
What about infacol (simethicone)?
Simethicone (Infacol in the UK, Mylicon in the US) works by breaking surface tension of gas bubbles, theoretically making wind easier to pass. Cochrane reviews find it no more effective than placebo for colic. It is, however, tasteless, not absorbed systemically, and entirely safe at recommended doses — making it a reasonable option if parents want to try something while waiting out the colic window.
Related Reading
- Colic in babies: what it is, what helps and what doesn’t
- Newborn crying: decoding the 5 different cries
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