Mylicon vs Gripe Water for Colic: Which One Really Helps a Crying Baby?

Few things are more stressful for new parents than a baby who cries for hours and cannot be comforted. When your baby draws their knees up, turns red in the face, and seems clearly uncomfortable, it is natural to look for something—anything—that might help. Two of the most commonly recommended remedies are Mylicon and Gripe Water.

They are often mentioned together, but they are not the same thing, and they work in very different ways. Understanding how each one works can help you decide which may be more appropriate for your baby’s symptoms.

Understanding Colic

Colic is usually defined as prolonged, unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It often begins in the first few weeks of life, peaks around six to eight weeks, and typically improves by about three to four months. Babies with colic may scream inconsolably, arch their backs, clench their fists, and pull their legs toward their bellies.

Despite how intense it looks, colic is not caused by poor parenting or something you are doing wrong. Researchers believe it may be related to an immature digestive system, trapped gas, sensory overload, or a developing nervous system that struggles to regulate stimulation. Because digestion is often part of the picture, many families turn to products meant to ease gas or soothe the stomach.

How Mylicon Works

Mylicon contains simethicone, a medication that targets gas bubbles in the digestive tract. Instead of preventing gas from forming, it works by breaking large bubbles into smaller ones so they can pass more easily through burping or bowel movements.

Simethicone is not absorbed into the bloodstream. It stays in the gut and is eliminated naturally. This makes it one of the most commonly recommended remedies by pediatricians for infants who appear uncomfortable from gas.

Parents often notice the best results when their baby’s crying seems linked to feeding and improves after burping or passing gas. In those cases, Mylicon can sometimes provide fairly quick relief. However, it does not address every cause of colic. If a baby’s crying is related more to nervous system immaturity, reflux, or food sensitivity, gas drops alone may not make a noticeable difference.

How Gripe Water Works

Gripe water is an herbal preparation rather than a medication. Its ingredients vary by brand but often include herbs such as fennel, ginger, or chamomile. Some versions also contain sodium bicarbonate, which is more controversial for young infants.

Instead of breaking up gas bubbles, gripe water is intended to soothe the digestive tract and relax intestinal muscles. Many parents describe it as having a calming effect rather than a mechanical one. Some babies appear to settle after taking it, especially if their discomfort seems mild or tied to hiccups or stomach spasms rather than obvious gas pain.

Because gripe water is considered a supplement, it is not regulated in the same way as medications. This means effectiveness and safety can vary depending on the formulation. Parents should read labels carefully and avoid products with alcohol, added sugars, or ingredients not recommended for newborns.

Comparing Mylicon and Gripe Water

Although Mylicon and gripe water are both used for fussy babies, they approach the problem differently. Mylicon is a medication with a single active ingredient and a clear mechanism: breaking up gas bubbles. Gripe water is a blend of herbs meant to soothe the digestive system and promote comfort.

For babies whose crying seems linked to feeding and bloating, Mylicon may be more likely to help. For babies who appear generally unsettled or tense, gripe water may offer mild soothing. Some parents try one first and switch to the other if they do not see improvement.

It is important to remember that colic is not always caused by gas. In those cases, neither remedy may fully resolve the crying, even if they help a little.

Safety Considerations

Mylicon is widely considered safe when used according to dosing instructions. Because it is not absorbed into the bloodstream, side effects are rare.

Gripe water requires more caution. Its safety depends heavily on the ingredients used in a particular brand. Pediatricians often advise avoiding formulations with sodium bicarbonate for young infants, as it can interfere with stomach acid. As with any supplement, it is best to discuss regular use with your child’s healthcare provider.

Parents should also avoid giving both products at the same time unless specifically advised. Using one at a time makes it easier to tell whether it is helping and reduces the risk of unnecessary dosing.

When Neither One Seems to Help

Many families discover that medication alone does not fully resolve colic. Supportive measures can be just as important. Feeding adjustments, such as ensuring a good latch or using a slower-flow bottle nipple, can reduce swallowed air. Holding a baby upright after feeds and burping frequently may also help.

Soothing techniques like swaddling, babywearing, white noise, or gentle rocking can calm an overstimulated nervous system. Warm baths, tummy massage, and bicycle leg movements may ease digestive discomfort. Some families explore probiotics with guidance from a pediatrician.

Equally important is caring for the caregiver. Colic is exhausting and emotionally draining. Needing help or feeling overwhelmed does not mean you are failing—it means you are human.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Colic should not be accompanied by fever, persistent vomiting, blood in the stool, poor weight gain, or refusal to eat. If any of these symptoms are present, or if your baby’s crying feels different from what you have been told to expect with colic, it is important to contact your pediatrician.

Which Is Better: Mylicon or Gripe Water?

There is no universal answer. Some babies respond well to Mylicon, others to gripe water, and some to neither. Because colic has multiple possible causes, what works for one infant may not work for another.

Mylicon tends to be the more evidence-based option for babies with clear gas-related discomfort. Gripe water may be helpful for mild digestive upset or as a calming measure. Many parents experiment carefully and observe their baby’s response over time.

A Gentle Reminder

Colic is a phase, not a permanent condition. Even though it feels endless when you are in the middle of it, most babies outgrow it within a few months. Products like Mylicon and gripe water can be useful tools, but they are not cures. The most important factors remain comfort, patience, and support—for both baby and parent.

If your baby is crying for hours and nothing seems to help, you are not doing anything wrong. Sometimes the best care is simply holding them through it and reminding yourself that this stage will pass.

What Happens When You Don’t Have a Birth Doula Contract

A birth doula contract may not feel like the most important part of your work—but when something goes wrong, it quickly becomes the most important document you don’t have.

Many birth doulas rely on verbal agreements or informal emails, especially early in their careers. While trust and connection are essential in birth work, lack of a written birth doula contract can leave you financially vulnerable, emotionally drained, and legally exposed.

Here’s what can actually happen when you don’t have a doula contract in place.

1. Payment Disputes and Refund Requests

One of the most common issues birth doulas face without a contract is disagreement over payment. A client may feel disappointed if their birth doesn’t go as planned and decide they deserve a refund—partial or full.

Without a written birth doula contract outlining:

• Fees

• Deposits

• Non-refundable portions

• Payment timelines

…you have very little protection. Even if you provided continuous support, emotional dissatisfaction can quickly turn into a financial dispute.

2. Unclear On-Call Expectations

Birth is unpredictable, and so is availability. Without a contract, clients may assume you are:

• On call earlier than agreed

• Available indefinitely

• Obligated to attend no matter the circumstances

A clear birth doula contract defines your on-call window, when labor support begins, and when it ends. Without it, boundaries are harder to enforce—especially during emotionally charged moments.

3. Backup Doula Confusion

If you are sick, at another birth, or facing an emergency, clients may feel blindsided if there is no clear backup plan.

Without a contract addressing:

• Backup doula policies

• Whether clients must accept a backup

• Refund expectations

…misunderstandings can escalate quickly. These conversations are extremely difficult to navigate once labor has started.

4. Scope of Practice Risks

Birth doulas are non-medical professionals, but without clear documentation, clients may still expect medical advice, decision-making, or advocacy beyond your role.

A birth doula contract protects you by clearly stating:

• You do not provide medical care

• You do not diagnose or treat

• Clients remain responsible for medical decisions

Without this clarity, you may be exposed to unnecessary risk.

5. Emotional Burnout and Boundary Erosion

Repeated misunderstandings, unpaid labor, and unclear expectations can lead to resentment and burnout. Over time, this impacts your ability to show up fully for families—and can push doulas out of birth work altogether.

A contract supports sustainability. It allows you to do this work with clarity, confidence, and longevity.

Why Every Birth Doula Needs a Contract

A birth doula contract isn’t about mistrust. It’s about:

• Protecting your time and income

• Creating professional clarity

• Supporting families through transparency

• Ensuring your business is sustainable

If you’re offering labor support, on-call availability, or backup coverage, a written contract is not optional—it’s essential.

Get a Ready-to-Use Birth Doula Contract

If you want a professionally written birth doula contract template designed specifically for real-world birth scenarios, you don’t need to start from scratch.

👉 Purchase the Birth Doula Sample Contract here:
https://ctdoulas.com/store/p/birthdoulacontract

This template is ideal for birth doulas who want clear boundaries, legal protection, and confidence in their business—before problems arise.

Not ready to take the plunge? Grab my free Doula Contract checklist here.