Gripe Water

[victoriaw]

Another one from me!! I've been giving my son Gripe water (5ml) as directed on the bottle before each feed, is this okay? How long can I do this for? Is it bad for their teeth???

[redcrx]

why are you giving him it? has it been advised by a HV?

[redcrx]

and hoe long have you been using it for? i thought it wasnt advised for use before child 1 month old (assuming not premature)

[Psychick]

Im sure if it was bad for their teeth, it wouldnt be allowed for babies of any age however, baby is meant to be of a certain age before you should use as red has said. It will say on the bottle what the age is. Has it been necessary to give it before every feed or are you doing this as part of the feeding routine? As with anything like that, you shouldnt use for longer than necessary and if symptoms dont improve, always consult your doctor or health visitor as they could suggest something that is more suited to your baby.

[redcrx]

if your baby is suffering from colic, or excess wind then take a look at this thread http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Family/Parentin g/Question502204.html

I wouldnt give gripe water as a matter of routine, even though it doesnt have sugar or alcohol now.

[victoriaw]

Thanks not using it now unless he's particularly windy!

[victoriaw]

PS. He is 5 weeks old, not supposed to give it to babies under 4 weeks

[redcrx]

s'ok victora, I was just wanting to check youd not given it at every feed for last 5 weeks.

Id reallt recommend the Dr Brown bottles if hes usually very windy though.

[victoriaw]

Thank you, no just the last couple of days since the change from breast to bottle - think that might have been the reason for the wind! His little tummy was so hard sometimes but last 2 feeds without it have been okay, will just keep it handy in case!

[redcrx]

dont blame you, its awful to see them in any discomfort isnt it.

Its more than likely the change between breast and bottle.

Has he got green or yellow poo? thats a sign of wind and a tummy ache.

[victoriaw]

Yes always has yellow poo, sounds horrible but it's a pasty texture, he isnt going as frequently as when he was bottle fed. He always had runnier poos when he was on the breast. I have given him an ounce of cooled boiled water today hoping that this might soften things up a bit for him. Feel so helpless when he looks like he's straining, this is why I was paranoid about the night time noises (you wrote an answer to me the other day about that which put my mind a rest!) thinking he is in constant pain but he's done the same noises since birth and is still sleeping well.

[redcrx]

if a baby has a bad stomach ache they will scream and pull their legs up into there tummy very sharply.

If his poo has always been that colour thn it may still be to do with the change from breast to bottle.

Id say give it a few days and see if any change. poo should be soft but not really runny on bottle. Babies do look like they asre straining even when poo is normal so try not to worry unless he is obviously in pain or stools become hard.

are you on any mums forums? The ivillage ones are good and you could join the mums club december so that you can speak to mums with babies the same age for better advice. Im slightly out of date with a 2.5 year old, and am just brushing up ready for my new arrival inApril.

[victoriaw]

Oh congrats! Good idea, I'll have a look in a sec...
Sure I'll be back soon with some more new worries :o) x

[redcrx]

heres the link for the December 07 mums board.
http://messageboards.ivillage.co.uk/iv-ukpbdec 07

Of course, that doesnt mean you cant ask on here with any query :)

Oh and you will never run out of questions, theres always a worry or a query

[Psychick]

What milk are you giving him? When I changed my daughter from breast to formula, I tried SMA first and it really didnt agree with her. I changed to Farleys and she settled on it very quick. If things dont get better, try changing his milk.