Best colic remedies

Gerber Good Start Soothe Comforting Probiotic Drops are designed to support your baby's digestive health, which may help relieve colic and gas. The drops contain L. reuteri, a probiotic that has been shown to cut down crying time in breastfed babies, and parents say they really work. 

Tika Fender, BabyCenter's Senior Art Director, says that her son began having digestive issues around week four: "He woke up with trapped gas screaming bloody murder." Her baby would pull his knees up to his chest, pass gas, and give a pained cry. But after a few days of using the Gerber Good Start drops, Tika says he stopped getting colic in the middle of the night.

Parents say there’s no real taste to Gerber Good Start drops, so babies don't object if you add the daily five-drop dose to breast milk or formula. You can also feed it to your baby on a spoon. 

Heads up

Gerber's Good Start Soothe Vitamin D & Probiotic Drops comes in similar packaging and has added vitamin D; make sure you're purchasing the version you want. 

Parents say

"My pediatrician recommended Gerber Soothe, and they seem to be helping my little guy."

"My daughter had reflux and gas issues and the Gerber Soothe drops definitely made a difference. They were recommended by my lactation consultant as well as by a friend of mine who's a microbiologist. They're expensive, but they helped my baby sleep better."

Specs

• Size: .34 ounce (50 5-drop doses)

• Age range: Newborns-12 months

Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops contain simethicone, which the AAP says is safe to give to your baby up to 12 times a day to break up gas bubbles and relieve bloating and gas pain. These gas relief drops don't have any added ingredients, so parents can feel good about giving it to their babies. You can squirt the solution into your baby's mouth, or mix it with formula, water, or breast milk; babies tend to like the natural berry flavor.

Grace Pan, BabyCenter Product Designer says that Little Remedies "worked amazingly" when her daughter had colic," and that the drops calmed her within a few minutes. 

Catherine Donaldson-Evans, Managing Editor of Content Operations at Everyday Health Group, says her children seemed to have indigestion after feedings andLittle Remedies “worked very well to break up gas bubbles and give them relief." They were so effective that Catherine and her family used them through toddlerhood, and even in the elementary school years. 

Heads up

Some parents say a dropper would be easier to use than the syringe, which must be cleaned after every use.

Parents say

"We had no luck with gripe water, but these drops have been a lifesaver."

"We put Little Remedies in 1 ounce of formula and usually after he drinks it, he feels better."

Specs

• Size: .5 or 1 ounce (50 or 100 .3 milliliter doses)

• Age range: Newborns and up

Windi the Gaspasser is a hollow plastic tube that you insert in your baby's butt to help him fart and, hopefully, relieve tummy discomfort caused by pent-up gas. The disposable, single-use tube is soft and pliable, with a rounded tip and a stopper to prevent you from pushing it in too far. 

As unorthodox as it sounds, BabyCenter staffers say they work as promised.  "They work like a charm each time to get that stubborn fart out,"  says Tika. Jeanne Beacom, BabyCenter's Senior Campaign Reporting Manager, says she used gas relief drops as a first line of defense, but when they didn't do the job, the Windi was helpful, and she noticed a difference: "I remember her crying less after."

Heads up

Put some lube on the tip before you insert it, and have a diaper on hand because things can get messy.

Parents say

"Windi helped our baby a lot! We use it as a last resort. Sometimes it starts a poo, and other times it prompts an adult-sized fart. The result is an instantly happier baby. A very useful tool!"

"My little one is very gassy and seems so uncomfortable. I used this thing and I couldn't believe the amount of gas and poop that came out. She was so content afterward. I've done it twice and it worked like a charm each time."

Specs

• Size: 10 disposable devices

• Age range: Newborns and up