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A baby crying due to stomach problems is not a new occurrence. All babies suffer from stomach issues at some time. What’s important is how parents tackle it. As first-time parents, you will have no idea what to do.
Do you recall your mother and grandmother talking about the umpteen benefits of gripe water and how it calms a baby? Gripe water is usually suggested for babies with stomach problems. Although it is easily available in various medical stores, the constituents used in it may not always be suitable for your child. Hence, you must opt for homemade gripe water, which is safe for a baby.
Benefits of the Ingredients Used in Homemade Gripe Water
The preparation of gripe water makes use of very specific ingredients. These have all been chosen for an important reason since each ingredient adds an essential benefit to the gripe water. When these benefits combine, the cumulative effect is what relieves the gas-related issues and other digestive problems within the baby.
1. Cloves
Cloves form an important part in various natural remedies and are highly recommended for respiratory issues too.
How Does it Help?
Cloves consist of numerous properties that directly impact the digestive system, reducing any kind of bloating caused by digestive activities, as well as calming the inner body with its pain-relieving properties.
2. Natural Sweetener
A baby will have gripe water only if it tastes well, hence adding sweetener to it is important.
How Does it Help?
Instead of going for natural sugar, coconut sugar is recommended as a sweetener as it is easier for the baby to digest it. Any artificial sweeteners or even honey is to be avoided at all costs.
3. Cinnamon
A pinch of cinnamon powder mixed with water is immediately given to people with a stomach ache. Cinnamon makes an important ingredient of gripe water for the immense benefits it offers to the baby.
How Does it Help?
Cinnamon has been known to work wonders in reducing gas and treating indigestion problems. Therefore, it is included in gripe water.
4. Chamomile
The benefits of chamomile tea have been known to be great for the body in matters of controlling pain and calming the mind. So, adding chamomile to gripe water will help the baby in case of any pain.
How Does it Help?
Chamomile flowers used in the preparation of gripe water will ensure that any inflammation inside the baby gets a soothing effect and allows the little one to relax and sleep well.
5. Fennel Seeds
The benefits of fennel seeds are quite exhaustive and their effect on the body, right from improving the health to relieving various stomach issues have been well-known for quite some time, which is why including them in gripe water would prove beneficial for the baby.
How Does it Help?
Fennel seeds have laxative properties and they also contain an important property of preventing the formation of gas, making them an effective addition in the gripe water preparation.
6. Ginger
Ginger is an essential ingredient used in numerous natural remedies and the effects of ginger can be listed extensively in matters of keeping the digestive system intact.
How Does it Help?
Any chances of a baby suffering from diarrhoea, colic infection, indigestion or any other stomach problems are totally nipped in the bud with the gripe water that contains ginger in its preparation process.
How to Make Gripe Water for Infants at Home
In order to make gripe water at home for your baby, you only require a few specific ingredients. It is important to note that gripe water provides its beneficial effects for only a week or so. Hence, any remaining water should be frozen to keep its effectiveness intact.
Required Ingredients
The ingredients required to prepare gripe water at home are as follows:
- Ground clove
- Ground cinnamon
- Coconut sugar or strictly natural sweeteners
- Dried and crushed cardamom
- Dried and crushed fennel seeds
- Dried chamomile flowers
- Fresh ginger, sliced
- Purified water
How To Prepare
Preparing gripe water using the aforementioned ingredients is not a complex process. The steps to be followed are as follows:
- Take purified water in a large pan or a kettle. Let it boil.
- In a cloth tea bag, take cardamom, fennel, chamomile, and ginger.
- Once the water boils, turn off the heat and insert the bag into it. Let the bag sit in it for around 30 minutes.
- Remove the bag from it after 30 mins and add coconut sugar or any other sweetener, ground clove and cinnamon. Mix it well and give it to your baby once it cools down. Store the rest in the fridge in an airtight glass bottle.
Homemade gripe water is always better than the ones commercially available as you are sure of the way it has been prepared and there is no trace of adulteration in it. This quick recipe will solve all the stomach problems of your baby in a couple of days.
