Medicines and Remedies

Overview:

Category	Goal	Examples
Burping & swallowed air	Help release air from the stomach	Simethicone products
Trapped intestinal gas (wind/farts)	Help gas pass through the bowel	Simethicone products
Restore healthy gut bacteria	Improve gut microbiome	Probiotics
Herbal & traditional remedies	Soothe digestion or settle baby	Gripe water, fennel, chamomile, ginger
Prescription medicines (rarely used)	Treat specific medical conditions, not routine colic	Antacids, acid suppressants, antispasmodics (only when indicated)

Best Medicine for Gassy Colic

Simethicone (Simeticone)

What it does

Breaks many tiny gas bubbles into larger bubbles that are easier to burp out. It also can help gas bubbles in the intestines to join together so they pass more easily as wind.

Best for:

• Swallowed air during feeding

• Upper stomach bloating

• Crying soon after feeds

• Babies who arch while trying to burp

Benefits:

• Very safe

• Not absorbed into the bloodstream

• Can be used before or after feeds

• May reduce discomfort caused by swallowed air

Scientific evidence shows it is safe but only modestly effective for infant colic overall.

Trade Names for Simethicone products in your country:

USA	UK	Australia / NZ	Canada	South Africa
Mylicon	Infacol	Infacol	Ovol Baby Drops	Telament Baby
Little Remedies Gas Relief	Dentinox Colic Drops	Brauer Baby Colic Relief*	Ovol Drops	Lennon's Gripe Water*
Mommy's Bliss Gas Relief	Wind-Eze Baby	Infants' Friend*	Life Brand Gas Relief	Bennetts Colic Mixture*
Equate Infant Gas Relief	WindSetlers	Infants' Friend	Option+ Gas Relief	KiDCol Simethicone*

Probiotics (Restore Healthy Gut Bacteria)

These work very differently. Instead of removing gas directly, probiotics attempt to improve the balance of bacteria living in the intestine. The probiotic with the strongest evidence for infant colic is:

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

Best for:

• Babes who have had anti-biotics at some point

• Possible gut inflammation

Benefits:

• Helps restore healthy intestinal bacteria

• May reduce crying time

• May improve digestion

• Generally safe

Several clinical trials and reviews suggest benefit primarily in breast-fed infants; evidence is less consistent in formula-fed infants.

Trade Names for Probiotic products in your country:

USA	UK	Australia / NZ	Canada	South Africa
BioGaia Protectis Baby	BioGaia Protectis Baby	BioGaia Protectis Baby	BioGaia Protectis Baby	BioGaia Protectis Baby
Gerber Soothe Probiotic Drops	Optibac Baby Drops	Qiara Infant	BioAmicus Baby	Reuterina Baby
Mommy's Bliss Probiotic Drops	OptiBac Babies & Children	Life-Space Baby Probiotic	Jamieson Baby Probiotic	Probiflora Baby
Culturelle Baby Calm + Comfort	ProVen Baby	Inner Health Baby	Culturelle Baby	Biogen Baby Probiotic

Herbal & Traditional Remedies

These products generally aim to soothe the digestive tract rather than remove gas. Scientific evidence varies considerably.

Gripe Water

Can help:

• General fussiness

• Mild stomach discomfort

• Hiccups

• Gas

• Settling after feeds

Typical ingredients:

• Dill seed oil

• Fennel

• Ginger

• Chamomile

• Sodium bicarbonate (some formulations)

Benefits

Some parents report improvement, but high-quality evidence for treating infant colic is limited. Modern gripe waters are alcohol-free and sugar-free in many countries.

Common herbal products in your country:

USA	UK	Australia/NZ	Canada	South Africa
Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water	Woodward's Gripe Water	Brauer Baby Gripe Water	Kolik Original Gripe Water	Lennon's Gripe Water
Little Remedies Gripe Water	Infacol Gripe Water*	Nature's Way Gripe Water	Homeocan Gripe Water	Bennetts Gripe Water
Wellements Gripe Water	Dentinox Herbal Products*	Weleda Baby Tummy Relief	Organika Gripe Water	Natura Gripe Water
Zarbee's Baby Gripe Water	Boots Gripe Water	Kiwiherb Baby Calm*	Baby's Own Gripe Water

Fennel

Probably the herbal remedy with the best evidence. May help:

• Intestinal spasms

• Gas

• Bloating

Several studies suggest fennel preparations may reduce crying time, although formulations differ and evidence is not as robust as for some probiotics.

Chamomile

Traditionally used for:

• Relaxation

• Mild intestinal cramping

• Settling

Usually included in combination herbal products rather than used alone.

Dill Seed Oil

One of the oldest gripe water ingredients. Traditionally used to

• Reduce intestinal spasm

• Relieve gas

** Evidence for many colic remedies and medicines remains limited and mixed. don't try lots of these at one time or you won't know what works!!

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