Gas Drops: Do They Work?

As a pediatrician, I hear one concern from new parents perhaps more than any other: “My baby won’t stop crying, and I think it is gas.” It is a heartbreaking sound. You are doing everything right—feeding, changing, and rocking your little one—but they are arching their back, turning red, and screaming in pain. It is natural to want a quick fix.

In my practice, this is usually the moment parents ask me about simethicone, commonly known as gas drops. You have probably seen them in the pharmacy aisle or had them recommended by a well-meaning grandparent. But do they actually work? Is it a miracle cure, or just a placebo effect?

Today, I want to walk you through everything you need to know about infant gas, the science behind these drops, and realistic expectations for relief. We are going to dive deep into the digestive system of your little one and figure out the best plan of action.

Understanding the Fussy Baby: Is It Really Gas?

Before we treat the problem, we have to identify it. All babies have gas. It is a biological certainty. When your newborn feeds, whether from the breast or a bottle, they swallow air. Furthermore, the breakdown of certain foods in the digestive tract naturally produces gas bubbles.

For adults, passing gas is usually just a minor inconvenience. However, for a newborn, their digestive system is brand new. Their intestines are still learning how to process food and move waste along efficiently. This immaturity can lead to pockets of gas getting trapped, causing pressure and pain.

However, I always remind parents that not all crying is gas. We often attribute fussiness to gas because it is a tangible problem with a tangible solution (drops). Sometimes, the issue is simply an immature nervous system, overstimulation, or the normal developmental phase known as colic.

Data Point: The Prevalence of Colic

It is important to understand that you are not alone in this struggle. Research indicates that approximately 20% of infants develop colic, which is defined as crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. While gas can contribute to colic, it isn’t always the sole cause.

What Are Gas Drops?

When we talk about gas drops for newborns, we are referring to a medication called simethicone. It is available over-the-counter and is sold under various brand names.

The mechanism of action is actually quite simple physical science. Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent. Imagine a sink full of soapy water with thousands of tiny bubbles. If you were to spray an anti-foaming agent on it, those tiny bubbles would pop and merge into larger bubbles.

In your baby’s stomach, simethicone joins smaller gas bubbles together to form larger ones. The theory is that large bubbles are easier for a baby to pass (via burping or flatulence) than tiny, trapped bubbles. Importantly, simethicone does not enter the bloodstream. It works strictly in the digestive tract and is excreted unchanged, which is why it is generally considered very safe for newborns.

The Big Question: Do Gas Drops Work?

This is where things get a little nuanced. If you ask a room full of parents, half will swear by them, and the other half will say they did nothing. As a doctor, I look at both clinical evidence and real-world results.

Scientific studies on simethicone have yielded mixed results. Several older studies suggested that simethicone was no more effective than a placebo in treating infant colic. This means that babies who received water drops stopped crying just as often as babies who received gas drops.

However, “colic” and “gas pain” are not exactly the same thing. While the drops might not cure the neurological crying of colic, many parents find they do help break up acute gas pressure.

Data Point: Parental Perception

Despite clinical trials showing mixed results regarding colic, anecdotal surveys suggest that nearly 60% of parents report a reduction in fussiness after administering gas drops, likely due to the combination of the sweet taste (which distracts the baby) and the actual breaking up of bubbles.

Visualizing the Options: Gas Drops vs. Gripe Water

I often get asked if gas drops are the same as gripe water. They are very different. I have created this chart to help you distinguish between the two most common remedies found in your nursery cabinet.

How to Use Gas Drops Effectively

If you decide to try gas drops for newborns, using them correctly is key to seeing any potential benefits. Because the medication is safe, you can usually give it with every feeding if necessary, but you should always follow the dosage instructions on the box or my specific advice for your child.

Here is my recommended protocol for administration:

• Timing is Everything: It is usually best to give the drops after a feeding. This is when the gas production typically begins as digestion starts. However, some parents find success giving it halfway through a feed.
• The Delivery Method: Use the dropper provided. Aim for the inside of the cheek rather than the back of the throat to prevent gagging. Most babies actually enjoy the taste because it is slightly sweet.
• Consistency: If you are dealing with a particularly gassy period, consistent use for a few days might yield better results than sporadic use.

The “Fussiness Scale”: What to Expect

To give you a visual representation of what causes infant distress, I want to show you a graph. It is important to realize that gas is only one slice of the pie. If we treat a tired baby with gas drops, we won’t see results.

Holistic Approaches to Gas Relief

While I am perfectly comfortable with parents using gas drops given their safety profile, I always prefer a multi-faceted approach. We should not rely solely on medication when physical manipulation can often work wonders.

The anatomy of a newborn is cramped. Their torso is short, and everything is squished together. Sometimes, they just need mechanical help to move those bubbles through the intestines.

The Bicycle Kick

Lay your baby on their back. Gently hold their ankles and move their legs in a cycling motion, as if they were riding a bicycle. This movement compresses the abdomen gently and can force trapped gas out. Follow this by pushing both knees gently toward the tummy and holding for a few seconds.

The “Football” Hold

Also known as the colic carry. Place your baby stomach-down along your forearm, with their head resting near your elbow and their legs straddling your hand. Use your other hand to secure their back. The gentle pressure on their tummy from your arm can be incredibly soothing and helps expel gas.

Tummy Time

We often talk about tummy time for neck strength, but it is excellent for gas too. The natural pressure against the floor (or your chest) massages the abdomen. Aim for a few minutes of tummy time when the baby is awake and supervised.

Reviewing the Feeding Technique

Prevention is better than cure. If you are bottle-feeding, ensure the nipple flow isn’t too fast (causing gulping) or too slow (causing frustration and air sucking). Keep the bottle tilted so the nipple is always full of milk, not air. If you are breastfeeding, ensure a deep latch. A clicking sound usually indicates the seal is broken and air is getting in.

For more detailed information on soothing a crying baby and understanding the signs of colic, I highly recommend reading this resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics at HealthyChildren.org. It is a high-authority source that aligns with the advice I give in my clinic.

When Should You Worry?

As a parent, it is hard to distinguish between “normal” fussy and “medical” fussy. While gas is normal, there are signs that warrant a trip to my office.

If your baby is vomiting (not just spitting up), has a fever, has blood in their stool, or is losing weight, these are not gas issues. These require immediate medical attention. Additionally, if the crying seems pain-induced and occurs immediately during eating, we might look into acid reflux rather than simple gas.

I also want to mention probiotics. Emerging research suggests that certain probiotic strains (like L. reuteri) may help reduce colic symptoms in breastfed babies by balancing the gut bacteria. This is something we can discuss during your next appointment if the gas drops and physical techniques aren’t providing relief.

My Final Recommendation on Gas Drops

So, do gas drops work? The scientific answer is “maybe,” but the practical answer is “it is worth a try.”

Because simethicone is safe and not absorbed by the body, the risk of trying it is virtually zero. If you feel it helps your baby settle down, then it is working—whether that is through chemistry or simply the calming ritual of care you are providing.

Parenting a newborn is an endurance sport. If gas drops for newborns provide you with a tool to help soothe your child, I encourage you to use them alongside the physical techniques we discussed. Trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone else. Keep calm, keep trying different soothing methods, and remember that this phase, like the gas bubbles themselves, will eventually pass.