What Is Gripe Water? – Can Gripe Water Cause Constipation
Gripe water is a liquid supplement for babies still in a colicky or fussy state. It is easily be gotten over the counter in pharmacies. In some parts of the world, this grip water is given to infants by their caregivers or parents from birth until they are six months old.
It has different brands, but gripe water’s content is dill, sodium bicarbonate, ginger, fennel, lemon, chamomile, and peppermint. Available at almost every grocery store, it is given to the baby in drops with a dropper. In the past, the content of gripe water is usually alcohol, sugar, ginger flavor, agave, and well-purified water.
Can Gripe Water Cause Constipation
Meaning of constipation
Constipation is a situation that happens when the normal number for the bowel movement is not working as it should. For example, babies have their movement three or more times a day, while it is three times a week for adults.
It can be challenging when you are trying to understand the reason why your baby is crying. The best you can help them in situations like this is to change their diet to different physical therapies. Also, make sure you are using natural supplements to ease the pain they feel during constipation.
It is important to know that releasing stool is regular for passing unwanted products in the body out. However, during this moment of popping, they tend to get constipated.
Gripe water is used for newborns or babies to help them release gas, ease the movement in the bowel, prevent constipation, give relief to upsetting stomachs, and mostly calm the colic. In addition, some people say it helps with teething, reflux, or hiccups depending on the brand used.
Different brands have their unique formulation and dosage; always go through the label before use. Some are not ideal for a baby less than a month, while others are. However, researchers are yet to benefit from gripe water for babies.
Well, it is considered a dietary supplement and doesn’t require any approval to be sold out. But some ingredients and regulations are not used to make gripe water for babies.
Babies normally have to deal with releasing gas and stomach discomfort, which is not easy for them to handle because it makes them cry so loud because they feel so comfortable and only seek quick relief, which many results in using gripe water.
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When Do Babies Suffer Constipation?
Babies usually feel constipated for almost a whole day since they only get to do the poop just three or fewer times a day. Babies have rhythm, and as an observant caregiver or parent, you would know, for instance, some poop while eating, while the opposite is the case for others.
Once they change their usual rhythm, be sure they are fine and nothing is wrong with them. Constipation is very painful for babies, especially when they cry and are yet to poop. It might be signs that they are constipated.
Causes of constipation for babies
Constipation is often noticed when babies consistently keep crying and have not pooped for a while. Many things can cause constipation for babies, this include;
Diet: The reaction your baby gives when eating is an important factor. Giving one food after the other helps them with enough time to digest the food. Also, the transition from breastmilk to dairy milk to formula can lead to constipation for babies.
Introducing solid foods can cause constipation. The baby’s digestive system can reject solid food even during pregnancy because they are not used to grinding hard compounds.
Medication: Often, we get familiar with the side effects of medications which can happen for most medications; having constipation has babies can be a side effect for them.
Medicines can cause constipation with a high content of iron found in medications like pain relievers. However, they cause constipation for babies as their side effects. If this worries you about them getting constipated, consult your doctor for help to change it if needed.
Pre-maturity: Many babies get born prematurely every year; these babies have organs that are still developing, which could affect their digestion system. If the gastrointestinal tracts are still developing, the babies will have much difficulty with stooling, which can cause them to have a slow process of digestion which makes their stool hard when produced.
Other options to use in place of gripe water;
If your baby suddenly starts getting fussy, which is unusual, the problem is the digestive system, or the baby has colic. Talk to your doctor to get a solution that will work best. However, other medical situations can cause their restlessness: food sensitivity and acid reflux, which is treatable.
If your doctor confirms your child doesn’t have any of this medical situation, but your baby is still colicky or fussy, below are some remedies that can be of great help before settling to use gripe water. Here we’ve listed some 5hings that can help relax your baby;
- Learn how to swaddle them, so they get the secure and snug feeling.
- Use swings for them or go for a car ride to determine if this movement will help release them.
- Learn how to give them massages
- Put gentle pressure on your baby’s tummy and increase their tummy playtime at noon or day.
- Stand by the faucet with water running through or use white noise.
- Move your baby’s leg like they are cycling to see if it helps them pass gas easily.
- Stop the regular irritant meals you eat like a mother, especially breastfeeding—dairy, spicy foods, and caffeine.
- Use a sling for your baby when they are fussy around the house.
- Try different dancing movements or walk around to know if it will be of great help for their fussiness.
- Talk to your doctor so they can help you with other recommendations that are easy or free from allergen formula or change their bottle to a new one.
- Rub their tummy in a circular motion gently to assist them to pass gas
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Remedies For Constipation
Juice: They are different juice that can help release constipation, such as prune juice. It is healthy, easy and simple to do, and very strong to help ease the pain of constipation. Other options for juice are pear and apple juice. They are very effective.
These fruits have sorbitol, which makes them a natural laxative, also found in foods. This content helps release water to the gastrointestinal tract, which can help make the hard stool break and easy to pass out, which is one of the reasons babies get pains when they have constipation.
So this fruit juice is healing them to remain very healthy. However, the sensitivity of these babies can make the acidity of these juice harsh, and it is best given to them when diluted with water.
Foods with high fiber: there are a variety of foods great for easing constipation. The milk supply from the breast has natural laxatives, which help develop the gastrointestinal tract in babies for the first month after they are born. Some doctors advise that breast milk should be consistent during the constipation period until they get used to solid meals and formula.
Food that is helpful for constipation are; fruit sauces like pears, prune, and apples, oatmeal cereals, or veggies like broccoli; all these are great for constipation.
Physical therapies
One of the major signs of constipation is the hard stomach, which results from piles piled up. Soft and gentle massage on the stomach can help release the pain and assist with great movement to pass out the gas.
Please do this by regular exercises, either by different movements, moving them around or moving their legs in a bicycling way. Making the muscles active makes the colon align with the baby’s movement and breaks down strong stools, helping their bowel movement be very healthy. Natural supplements are also very helpful.
In conclusion, babies who feel colicky get exhausted and overwhelmed, but they overgrow it with them. However, it is okay to get a solution to help them free from pains and discomfort when fussy.
Please seek advice from your doctor and follow instructions on how to go about treating them when they feel that way. It is best to be observant to ensure they do not have side effects from the medications used.
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