Gripe Water Vs Nospamin Drop Vs Infacol In Management Of Infant Colic

It is not uncommon to see infacol, gripe water or nospamin drop in the house of new mums. New mums are always plagued with infant colic. It is a situation whereby a healthy child cries for more than three hours a day, three times a week and for more than three weeks. A simple definition puts it as a situation where a healthy, well-fed baby cries for a long time. The cry always comes with a high pitch sound, flush face, clench fist with flatus expulsion.

Crying baby

There is no drug for this condition. There are drugs that are used as alternative medicine. They include infacol, gripe water and nospamin. But there is no confirmation on its effectiveness. Most pediatricians don't prescribe them.

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Cry is a symptom of something especially in babies. But the cause of it in infant colic has not been identified. Many theories have been put forward. They include gas in the tommy, milk allergy, bacteria imbalance and so on.

There are natural methods to relieve colic. But many parents don't know. Those that know don't like the hard way. They want a drug that will just do the magic.

Natural Ways To Relieve Infant Colic

1. Cuddle or carry the baby

2. Move the baby to and fro

3. Lay the baby on tommy

4. Play or sing

5. Bath the baby

6. Give the baby to another person close to the baby to carry

7. Tense the stomach

Drugs For Infants Colic

There is no approved drug for infant colic. Available drugs are designed to pacify one of the theories of infant colic.

Infacol

Infacol is a solution containing simethicone. Simethicone is an antiflatulent or antifoam. It joins small gas bubbles together to form large ones and make it easy to expel from the bodysurfing burping or winding. This is targeting gas in the stomach.

Gripe Water

One of the oldest formulas for treating infant colic. It is made up of 3.6% alcohol or sugar, bicarbonate and Dill seed oil. Some products add other ingredients and some remove the alcohol. This product also targets the gas in the stomach as it contains bicarbonate. Bicarbonate containing products should be given with caution as it can drastically change the pH of a stomach of a child. Gripe water is also used for teething and hiccups.

Nospamin Drop

Nospamin drop contain homatropine methyl bromide. It is an antimuscarinic or antispasmodic. To put it in a sine term, it reduces stomach spasm or pain especially in the stomach. It acts like a buscopan. It is also used as an adjunct in the treatment of peptic ulcers.

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Probiotics

If you are not familiar with what probiotics are, here is a brief description. They are bacterias that are found in the body naturally and help prevent disease or aid digestion. But when their numbers are reduced such as during the use of antibiotics, the body immune system may be weakened. Lactobacillus reuteri protectis is an example of a probiotic that is given to children during infant colic. Although not common in Nigeria, there is still controversy as to its effectiveness. Studies suggest that children with infant colic have varying bacteria in their system hence the need for probiotics supplementation.

Colief Infant Drop

Is another product designed for milk allergy. It helps break down lactose. This is useful for babies that cannot break down lactose.

Which Should You Buy

It is a difficult decision considering the fact that different drugs target different causes or theories. However, if the baby stomach is firm and constantly draws their leg towards the stomach, infacol (simethicone) is best. In a situation whereby the baby responds to soothing techniques, gripe water will do. Nospamin can be used when the baby cries extra when the hand touches the stomach.