This discussion is striking to me, because, as others have already pointed
out, there has been such an outpouring of positive testimonials for its use
but no citations of any independent, systematic work showing that it is
either safe or effective.  I am very relieved to see the sceptics awakening,
pointing out that we must be critical about anything we recommend babies be
given outside of breastmilk.  We should at the very least demand proof that
the product is not harmful, and it would be nice to know that it works!  I
also appreciated the reminder that mothers can take gripe water (or 'colic
tea') in order to titrate the dose the baby gets, and this may be less
objectionable than breaching the baby's GI integrity with a sweetened or
otherwise adulterated product.

It seems, too, that 'gripe water' is not a specific label - posters have
mentioned various formulations all going under the blanket name of gripe
water, so we need to make sure we know exactly which formulation a given
mother is using for her baby.  Certainly when recommending it, we should
know which one we are advising them to buy!  I apply the same standard to
medications and any other substances given to babies and I don't think much
of giving babies foreign substances to ingest without clear indication.
Personally I like to know 'cui bono' - who profits from its sale?

I've seen gripe water for sale where I live, in grocery stores run by
immigrants from all parts of Asia, and the packaging looked so out of date,
I thought it must have been caught in a time warp.  I never picked up any
and I don't know of any professionals here who recommend it, though the fact
that it is visible in these shops tells me that someone must be using it.
I'd be willing to bet there isn't a health visitor in my entire community
who knows a) what it is or b) whether any of the mothers she works with are
using it.

Does noone have any references to studies on the effects of gripe water?
Rachel Myr
still no mail in Kristiansand, Norway - so please cc me if you respond to
the list.

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