Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup

About Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup

Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup Uses

• Relieves infant colic and excessive crying linked to trapped wind
• Eases gas and bloating in babies after feeding
• Settles mild stomach discomfort and hiccups in infants
• Used for occasional infant indigestion

Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup Benefits

• Alcohol free and sugar free formula, sweetened with maltitol instead
• Contains no artificial colours
• Gentle dill seed oil base traditionally used to calm infant tummy troubles
• Easy to give with the measured spoon provided in the pack

What Experts Say

Infant colic affects many babies in the first few months of life and is a common concern parents raise with a pediatrician. Gripe water combines a mild antacid, sodium bicarbonate, with dill seed oil, long used to ease trapped gas and spasm. Neither ingredient acts as a drug, so doctors generally view a properly formulated, alcohol free gripe water as a low risk comfort measure, not a cure for colic.

Pediatric dosing guidance restricts gripe water to babies over one month old, since a newborn's kidneys and gut are still maturing and cannot reliably handle even a mild sodium load. The standard dose is one 5 mL spoonful for babies one to six months, rising to two spoonfuls after six months, given during or after a feed. Doctors advise no more than six doses in 24 hours to limit total sodium and sweetener intake.

Parents should see a doctor if crying is unusually severe, the baby refuses feeds, has fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or is not gaining weight, since these signs need proper evaluation, not a home remedy. Doctors typically recommend feeding and positioning changes first, keeping gripe water as an occasional comfort aid rather than a routine treatment.

Drug Class

• Over the counter infant digestive aid, an antacid and carminative combination

Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup formula

• Sodium Bicarbonate + Dill Seed Oil

Available forms

• Syrup

How to use Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup?

• Shake the bottle well before each use
• Give one 5 mL spoonful for babies aged 1 to 6 months
• Give two 5 mL spoonfuls for babies aged 6 to 12 months
• Give during or just after a feed using the measure provided
• Do not give more than 6 doses in 24 hours
• Leave a gap of at least 2 hours before giving any other medicine
• Do not use in babies under 1 month old without a doctor's advice

Drug Interactions

• Other Infant Medicines: No significant drug interactions are documented for sodium bicarbonate and dill seed oil at gripe water doses, but leave a 2 hour gap before or after any other infant medicine as a general precaution
• Other Sodium Bicarbonate Products: Avoid giving another sodium bicarbonate based antacid or reflux syrup on the same day to prevent excess sodium intake

Risks and warnings

• Age Limit: Not for babies under 1 month old since their kidneys and gut are still maturing
• Kidney Or Liver Problems: Avoid use in infants with known kidney or liver conditions without a doctor's advice
• Sodium Content: Contains a small amount of sodium bicarbonate, so give exactly as directed and do not exceed the daily dose limit
• Maltitol Content: Sweetened with maltitol, which can cause mild loose stools if overused
• Allergy: Stop use if any rash, swelling or unusual reaction appears and consult a doctor
• Persistent Symptoms: See a doctor if crying, feeding refusal or discomfort continues despite regular use

Woodward's Gripe Water Syrup Side Effects

• Mild loose stools if given more often than directed
• Occasional stomach upset in sensitive babies
• Rare allergic reaction such as rash or facial swelling
• Rare mild fussiness or hiccups right after dosing

Storage Conditions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use
• Use within 14 days of opening and discard any leftover after that
• Keep out of reach of children