Ingredient comparison
Gripe water vs gas drops
They sit side by side on the same shelf and get used interchangeably, but they are two completely different products. One is a single well-studied medicine. The other is a herbal supplement whose recipe changes from brand to brand.
Is gripe water the same as gas drops?
No. Gas drops contain simethicone, an over-the-counter medicine that breaks up trapped gas bubbles in the gut and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Gripe water is a herbal dietary supplement — typically fennel, ginger, dill or chamomile in water — used for general fussiness, with little clinical evidence behind it.
- Simethicone is the option with a clearer mechanism and a strong safety record.
- Gripe water formulas are not standardised, so two bottles can share a name and almost nothing else.
- Avoid gripe water containing alcohol, sucrose or sodium bicarbonate.
- Neither product treats colic; persistent inconsolable crying needs a paediatrician.
What is actually in each one
Gas drops are one ingredient
Simethicone is an inert surfactant. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, which is why it has such a clean safety record. Trials show real but modest benefit over placebo for trapped wind.
Gripe water is a herbal blend
Sold as a dietary supplement, not a drug, so formulas vary widely between brands. Common bases are fennel, ginger, dill, chamomile and lemon balm in purified water.
Older gripe water formulas carried real problems
Alcohol, sucrose and sodium bicarbonate all appeared in historic recipes. Bicarbonate can disturb a newborn's stomach acid balance. Modern US formulas usually omit all three — but only the ingredient list proves it.
Neither treats colic
Persistent inconsolable crying is not the same as trapped wind. If your baby cries for hours, arches, refuses feeds, or is not gaining weight, that is a paediatrician conversation, not a pharmacy one.
Side by side
The same comparison applies to Little Remedies, Mommy's Bliss and store brands — the product category decides the answer, not the label on the front.
| Gas drops | Gripe water | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Simethicone — an over-the-counter medicine | Herbal dietary supplement, lightly regulated |
| How it works | Merges small gas bubbles into larger ones that are easier to pass | Herbs traditionally used to settle the gut; mechanism unproven |
| Best suited to | Clear trapped wind — a hard, tight tummy after feeds | General fussiness, hiccups, unsettled evenings |
| Evidence | Studied; modest benefit over placebo, excellent safety profile | Little good clinical evidence either way |
| Ingredients to avoid | Added sugars, artificial colours, sodium benzoate in some flavoured drops | Alcohol, sucrose, sodium bicarbonate, parabens, undeclared herb blends |
| Typical age | From birth per pack directions | Usually 2 weeks and up — check the pack |
General guidance only — not medical advice. Talk to your paediatrician before giving any medicine or supplement to an infant.
Scan the bottle before you buy
LabelBaby reads the full ingredient list and flags alcohol, added sugars, sodium bicarbonate, and anything on your baby's allergen profile.
Download LabelBabyFrequently asked questions
- Is gripe water the same as gas drops?
- No. Gas drops contain simethicone, a single drug that breaks up trapped gas bubbles in the gut. Gripe water is a herbal supplement, usually fennel, ginger, chamomile or dill in water, and is not a regulated medicine in the same way.
- Which works better for a gassy baby?
- Simethicone gas drops are the option with a clearer mechanism and a strong safety record, though trials show modest benefit over placebo. Gripe water has little clinical evidence behind it. Many paediatricians suggest trying simethicone first.
- When should I use gripe water instead of gas drops?
- Some parents prefer gripe water for general fussiness or hiccups rather than clear trapped wind. If you use it, choose an alcohol-free, sugar-free, sodium-bicarbonate-free formula and check the ingredient list for your baby's allergens.
- What is the difference between Little Remedies gripe water and their gas drops?
- Little Remedies gas drops are simethicone in a flavoured base. Their gripe water is a ginger and fennel herbal blend. Same brand, entirely different ingredient lists and purposes.