Well worth a try (Woodwards Alchohol and Sugar Free Gripe Water)

Member Name: Gretta

Product:	Woodwards Alchohol and Sugar Free Gripe Water
Date:	12/03/01 (8418 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, tried and trusted product

Disadvantages: Doesn't work for all babies

*What is Gripe Water?
Gripe water is a clear liquid with a consistency like water, which tastes similar to aniseed or liquorice, although obviously not as strong. The active ingredients it contains are dill seed oil and sodium bicarbonate. It contains no alcohol or sugar, a great bonus for babies with tiny teeth just appearing.

*How do I use it?
Gripe water is suitable for babies over one month old. This is one slight problem, as colic is worse in the early months, it has usually gone by four months (so don't despair!) and not being able to use it for a whole month of this time is a drawback. After one month you can give one 5ml spoon up to six times in 24 hours. After six months if your baby has a mild stomach upset you give two 5ml spoons up to six times in 24 hours. The best time to give is before a feed, so that by the end your babies wind is ready to come up. It doesn't come with a spoon, so you will have to either use one that you already have, or buy one of the special baby medicine spoons. The one I use stores the liquid in the handle while you aim it at the babies mouth, which really helps avoid it ending up in babies ear! I would recommend having a bib and towel handy as it can sometimes make babies slightly sick. This doesn't seem to bother them though, and is certainly a price worth paying to relieve their pain. Must be used within two months of opening. I find a bottle only lasts me about three weeks.

*Benefits
Most babies like the taste and its consistency means it slides down the throat easily. It's cheaper than most brands so a good one to try first as if it works for you it saves you wasting money on a more expensive remedy that does the same thing. A tried and tested solution for many baby's gripe that has been around for over 100 years.

*Drawbacks
Doesn't work for all babies, and finding out is trial and error. Can be hard to get into a crying baby's mouth. Best
if used before colic starts, so you have to be a bit of a fortuneteller. Glass bottle easy to knock over or brake, and doesn't travel very well.

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