Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Dill water for newborns: how to cook, how often and how much to give
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
One of the problems of newborns is colic. For their treatment, various methods are used, including dill water. Let's consider features of a medical drink.
The child who just came into being, adapts to the new conditions of life. The first to such changes is the gastrointestinal tract, adapting to the new food. The adaptation process takes about 1-2 months, during which the baby suffers from various painful symptoms.
Infant colic are severe pains and cramps in the abdomen, because of which the child pierces and cries. Most often, they begin in the first month of life and take place on their own for up to 3 months. In order to facilitate the state of the baby there are two effective methods:
- Colon colonization with useful microflora. Colonies of bacteria are released in the form of suspensions, which are diluted with water and given to the baby.
- Immediate removal of intestinal colic is a symptomatic therapy that stops pain, but does not eliminate its cause. For treatment use drugs that eliminate flatulence and strengthen intestinal peristalsis.
Dill water is used for bloating due to increased gas production. The medicine is created on the basis of fennel fruits. The plant contains essential oils, minerals, glycosides and a complex of vitamins: A, C, E, PP, K.
[1]
Indications Dill water
The main therapeutic effect of dill water is relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and reducing their spasms. The medicine expands the walls of the intestines, reducing their pressure, and also struggles with increased gas production.
Preparations based on fennel fruits have such indications for use:
- Flatulence and the removal of gases in infants.
- Difficulties with bowel movements, constipation.
- Improving appetite.
- Elimination of inflammatory processes.
- Cleaning the body of putrefactive bacteria.
- Development of useful intestinal microflora.
- Diuretic action.
- Improve the secretion of bile.
- Soothing effect on the nervous system.
- Normalization of sleep.
Also natural remedy improves kidney function, dilates blood vessels and promotes optimal blood supply to all organs and tissues, has a pronounced antibacterial effect. Strengthens the process of lactation in the mother.
Pharmacodynamics
Dill water is part of the pharmacological group of carminative drugs. Its active ingredient is fennel seeds. The herbal remedy contains about 6% of essential and 9% fatty oils, provitamin A, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron and other substances. Interaction of all components provides a quick and maximum safe therapeutic effect.
Pharmacokinetics
Herbal remedy is used to correct digestive disorders in newborns and older children. It has excitatory digestion and carminative properties. Stimulates the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, increases the secretion of gastric juice and improves intestinal motility. The active substances accelerate the excretion of gases, removing the spasms caused by flatulence.
The therapeutic effect develops within 10-20 minutes after taking the necessary dose for the baby. It is very important to start treatment with minimal dosages, gradually increasing them. This minimizes the risk of adverse reactions.
[2]
Dosing and administration
Dill water is allowed for infants from the third week of life. The dosage depends on the type of solution:
- If the medicine is purchased at the pharmacy, that is, take 1 teaspoonful after or at the same time as the feeding, 3-5 times a day.
- For a self-prepared solution - 1 tablespoon after or during meals 3 times a day.
If the infant refuses the medication, then the water can be diluted with breast milk or a nutrient mixture.
Recipes for the preparation of solution from colic:
- Take 2-3 g of dried fennel seeds and crush thoroughly. Pour vegetable raw materials 200 ml of boiling water. After an hour, strain through the cheesecloth and add ¼ of the boiled water.
- Take 5g of fresh fennel fruit, cut into small pieces and pour a glass of boiling water. Boil the product in a water bath for 3-5 minutes and let it brew until cool, strain.
- In a liter of chilled boiled water, dissolve 0.05 g of fennel essential oil. Before use, the solution should be thoroughly shaken and heated. Keep the drink in the refrigerator, no longer than 30 days.
[4]
Contraindications
Like any medicine, use dill water to eliminate colic in newborns, should be after consultation with the pediatrician. The herbal remedy does not have strict contraindications, but with improperly selected dosages can aggravate the infant's morbid state.
[3],
Side effects Dill water
Most often, adverse reactions to dill water occur when the method of its use is violated or against the background of the individual characteristics of the child's body. Because of this, there are such symptoms:
- Reactions of hypersensitivity.
- Skin rashes.
- Intensified spasms in the digestive tract and flatulence.
For treatment, you should abandon the medicine or change it to a safer analogue and, without fail, contact your doctor.
Overdose
Abuse of a plant remedy causes allergic reactions and aggravates the painful state of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, an overdose of a drink provokes a general weakness of the body, in rare cases there are gastrointestinal bleeding.
To prevent an overdose, the medicine should be taken with small doses, adhering to medical recommendations.
Interactions with other drugs
Storage conditions
Dry raw materials for the preparation of dill water, like any other herbal remedy, should be stored in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Pharmaceutical preparations in the form of suspensions and nastes should be kept at a temperature of no higher than 25 ° C. Ready-made decoctions and infusions should be stored in the refrigerator.
[7]
Shelf life
Finished preparations based on fennel seeds (broth, infusion, tea) should be used within 1-2 days from the moment of their preparation. In this case, the drink should be stored in the refrigerator. As for ready-made medicines, their shelf life is on average 24 months from the production date.
[8]
Reviews
Dill water from colic in newborns has both positive and negative feedback. Some parents note that the herbal remedy effectively and quickly removes spasms and flatulence, improving the baby's well-being. Others on the contrary insist on the inexpediency of its use. The final decision on taking a plant remedy should be made by the attending physician.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Dill water for newborns: how to cook, how often and how much to give" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.