Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidenceGut health

Gripe Water

A traditional fennel, ginger and bicarbonate infant preparation for colic. Widely used and mostly benign, but the controlled evidence for colic is thin and inconsistent.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Reducing infant crying and colic Limited evidence

    An overview of systematic reviews of complementary therapies for infantile colic found the trial base small, at high risk of bias, and inconsistent; gripe water specifically was not supported by good-quality randomised evidence. Fennel-containing preparations show some benefit in individual small trials, but reviewers rated confidence as low.

  • What actually has evidence in breastfed infants Moderate evidence

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions for colic in breastfed infants found the best-supported option is the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, which reduced crying time across several randomised trials. Gripe water did not reach that level of support.

  • Very common use, poorly characterised products Limited evidence

    A cross-sectional study of infants aged 1-6 months found gripe water use was widespread and often started in the first weeks of life, frequently without a doctor's advice. Composition varies enormously between brands, which is part of why the evidence is hard to pool.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTypical label dose is 2.5-5 mL after feeds, up to several times daily, varying by brand and infant age. No dose has been validated in a controlled trial.
SafetyAvoid formulations containing alcohol, sucrose, sodium bicarbonate in significant amounts, or imported unregulated products, which have been linked to contamination and to hypernatraemia or aspiration. Sugar-containing versions can affect feeding. Give nothing but breast milk or formula to infants under one month without medical advice, and see a doctor if crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, poor weight gain or blood in the stool.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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