Parents Choice Gas Drops

Navigating the Gassy Waters of Babyhood with Confidence

As I sit here typing with one hand, gently rocking my little one with the other, I can’t help but reflect on the rollercoaster that is parenthood. Those first few months? Pure chaos sprinkled with moments of indescribable joy. And then there’s the crying—that heart-wrenching, inconsolable crying that makes you question everything you thought you knew about babies. When my daughter Lily was about three weeks old, her evening fussiness reached new heights. Little did I know, we were dealing with the infamous “witching hour” combined with something many parents face: infant gas.

The moment I discovered Parent’s Choice Gas Drops was truly a turning point in our newborn journey. Finding an effective solution for your baby’s gas discomfort can completely transform those difficult early months of parenthood. After countless sleepless nights and hours spent researching on my phone at 3 AM, I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned about these miracle drops into one comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a veteran looking for better solutions, I hope my experience saves you some precious time and helps bring peace to your little one’s tummy—and your household.

Understanding Infant Gas: Why Your Baby Gets So Uncomfortable

Before diving into the specifics of Parent’s Choice Gas Drops, let’s talk about why babies get so gassy in the first place. My pediatrician explained it to me this way: newborns have immature digestive systems that are just learning how to process nutrients, expel waste, and manage gas. Their tiny bodies are adjusting to life outside the womb, where everything—including digestion—was handled by mom’s body.

Common causes of infant gas include:

• Swallowing air during feeding (whether bottle or breast)
• Crying (which causes them to gulp air)
• Immature digestive systems still learning to process foods
• For formula-fed babies, reactions to certain formula ingredients
• For breastfed babies, potential sensitivity to foods in mom’s diet

When Lily was at her gassiest, her little legs would pump furiously, her face would turn red, and those cries—oh, those cries would pierce right through me. I felt helpless until I understood what was happening and found tools to help her.

What Exactly Are Parent’s Choice Gas Drops?

Parent’s Choice Gas Drops are an over-the-counter medication designed specifically to relieve gas discomfort in infants. They’re Walmart’s store brand version of gas relief drops, comparable to name brands like Mylicon or Little Remedies.

The active ingredient in Parent’s Choice Gas Drops is simethicone, which works by breaking up gas bubbles in your baby’s digestive system. By dissolving these bubbles into smaller ones, the gas becomes easier for your baby to pass, whether through burping or flatulence. I remember the first time Lily had a good burp after using the drops—it was surprisingly satisfying to know she was getting relief!

Are Parent’s Choice Gas Drops Safe for Newborns?

This was my first question, and I’m guessing it’s yours too. I wouldn’t put anything into my precious newborn’s body without being absolutely certain it was safe.

The good news is that Parent’s Choice Gas Drops are generally considered safe for newborns when used as directed. The active ingredient, simethicone, is not absorbed into the bloodstream—it simply works locally in the digestive tract and then passes through. This means that very little, if any, enters your baby’s system beyond the digestive tract.

However, I always recommend checking with your pediatrician before starting any medication, even over-the-counter ones. When I mentioned my interest in gas drops to our doctor, she gave me specific guidelines for Lily based on her age and weight, which was reassuring.

How Do Parent’s Choice Gas Drops Actually Work?

When I first heard about gas drops, I was skeptical. How could a few drops of liquid make such a difference? But the science behind them is actually pretty straightforward.

Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that reduces the surface tension of gas bubbles in your baby’s stomach and intestines. Instead of large, painful bubbles that are difficult to pass, the medication breaks them down into smaller bubbles that can move through the digestive system more easily.

Think of it like this: imagine trying to squeeze a large balloon through a narrow tube versus several tiny bubbles. The smaller bubbles pass through much more easily—that’s essentially what’s happening in your baby’s digestive tract when you give them gas drops.

What I found most interesting is that simethicone doesn’t actually reduce the amount of gas—it just makes it easier for babies to handle it themselves. This explains why some parents notice their babies passing more gas after using the drops, which is actually a sign that they’re working!

The Cost Factor: Are Parent’s Choice Gas Drops Affordable?

As a budget-conscious parent (who isn’t these days?), I’m always looking for ways to save without compromising on quality. This is where Parent’s Choice Gas Drops really shine.

At roughly $5-7 per bottle, they’re significantly cheaper than the name-brand alternatives, which can run $10-12 for the same quantity. Each bottle contains about 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of drops, which lasts longer than you might expect since you’re only using small amounts at each dose.

During those initial weeks when Lily needed the drops after almost every feeding, I was grateful for the savings. When you’re already spending a small fortune on diapers, wipes, and all the other baby essentials, every little bit helps!

Where Can You Buy Parent’s Choice Gas Drops?

As the name suggests, Parent’s Choice is Walmart’s store brand, so you’ll find these gas drops at Walmart stores nationwide and on their website. I’ve occasionally spotted them on Amazon as well, though the price is typically a bit higher there.

What I love about getting them at Walmart is the convenience—I can add them to my regular shopping list or quickly stop in to grab a bottle when needed. Many Walmart locations are open late or 24 hours, which came in handy that time we ran out at 11 PM during a particularly rough night with Lily.

If you’re wondering about availability, I’ve rarely encountered a situation where they were out of stock. That said, it never hurts to keep a backup bottle in your medicine cabinet—you’ll thank yourself at 3 AM when your little one is screaming with gas pain.

Colic and Gas Drops: Are They Effective?

When Lily was about six weeks old, she developed what our pediatrician called “colic-like symptoms.” The definition of colic is typically crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks—and we were definitely in that territory.

Colic and gas often go hand in hand, though the exact relationship isn’t always clear. Some babies with colic may have more gas because they swallow air while crying, while others might cry because they’re gassy. It’s a classic chicken-and-egg situation.

In our experience, Parent’s Choice Gas Drops did help alleviate some of Lily’s discomfort during colicky episodes, but they weren’t a miracle cure. They seemed most effective when her fussiness was clearly related to digestive discomfort—when she was pulling her legs up, had a hard tummy, or was passing gas frequently.

Many pediatricians suggest trying gas drops for colicky babies, as gas is often at least a contributing factor. However, I found that combining the drops with other soothing techniques—like the 5 S’s (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking), infant massage, and a consistent bedtime routine—gave us the best results.

Dosage and Frequency: How Often Can You Give Gas Drops?

One of the most common questions parents have is how often they can safely give their baby gas drops. According to the packaging for Parent’s Choice Gas Drops, they can be given at each feeding, up to 12 times per day if needed.

The recommended dosage by age is:

• Newborns and infants up to 2 years: 0.3 mL (provided in the included dropper)
• Children 2-12 years: 0.6 mL
• Adults and children over 12: 1.2 mL

When Lily was at her gassiest, our pediatrician approved us giving her a dose after each feeding, which was about 8 times per day. As she got older and her digestive system matured, we gradually reduced the frequency to only as needed.

I found the included dropper made dosing simple, though I will note it can be a bit challenging to administer to a squirmy, crying baby. My technique was to gently insert the dropper along the inside of her cheek and slowly release the drops to avoid choking or spitting out.

The Ingredient List: What’s Actually in Parent’s Choice Gas Drops?

As a parent, I became obsessed with reading ingredient lists, and I think that’s a good thing! Here’s what you’ll find in Parent’s Choice Gas Drops:

• Active ingredient: Simethicone 20 mg per 0.3 mL
• Inactive ingredients: Citric acid, flavoring, glycerin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polysorbate 80, purified water, sodium benzoate, and xanthan gum

The drops are free from alcohol, artificial dyes, and saccharin, which was important to me. They do contain a small amount of flavoring to make them palatable for babies.

One thing to note is that they’re not completely “natural” in the strictest sense—they do contain some preservatives like sodium benzoate, which help maintain shelf stability and safety. For me, this was an acceptable trade-off given the relief they provided Lily, but I know some parents prefer completely natural remedies.

Potential Side Effects: What to Watch For

One of the most reassuring aspects of simethicone is its safety profile. Since it’s not absorbed into the bloodstream, systemic side effects are extremely rare.

That said, no medication is completely without potential side effects. Some babies might experience:

• Mild digestive changes
• Skin rash (rare)
• Allergic reactions (extremely rare)

During our months of using Parent’s Choice Gas Drops, Lily never experienced any noticeable side effects. If you observe any unusual symptoms after giving your baby gas drops, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician right away.

Using Gas Drops with Formula or Breast Milk

A practical question I had was whether I could mix the drops with Lily’s milk to make administration easier. The answer is yes—Parent’s Choice Gas Drops can be mixed directly with formula or breast milk without affecting their efficacy.

This method worked well when Lily was being particularly difficult about taking the drops directly. I would add the dose to a small amount (about an ounce) of milk and feed it to her before her regular feeding. Just make sure your baby consumes all of the milk containing the drops to get the full dose.

For breastfeeding moms, you can either give the drops directly before nursing or express a small amount of milk to mix with the drops. I found that administering the drops directly and then immediately nursing worked best for us, as nursing itself was soothing for Lily.

The Waiting Game: How Quickly Do Gas Drops Work?

When your baby is screaming in pain, you want immediate relief. In my experience, Parent’s Choice Gas Drops typically started working within 15-30 minutes, though sometimes the effects were noticeable sooner.

The trick is consistency. I found that using the drops regularly with feedings was more effective than waiting until Lily was already extremely uncomfortable. Prevention seemed to work better than treatment in our case.

That said, every baby is different. Some parents report near-instant relief, while others find the drops take longer to work or provide more subtle benefits. If you don’t notice any improvement after several days of consistent use, it might be worth consulting your pediatrician to rule out other causes of discomfort.

Gas Drops vs. Gripe Water: What’s the Difference?

Before discovering gas drops, I had tried gripe water, another popular remedy for fussy babies. The main difference between the two is their ingredients and mechanism of action.

Gas drops contain simethicone, which works specifically to break up gas bubbles. Gripe water, on the other hand, typically contains herbs like fennel, ginger, or chamomile, which are thought to have general soothing properties for digestive discomfort.

In our household, gas drops were more effective for Lily’s specific gas issues, while gripe water occasionally helped with general fussiness that wasn’t necessarily gas-related. Some parents keep both on hand for different situations, which isn’t a bad idea.

Our pediatrician explained that gas drops tend to have more scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness for gas specifically, while gripe water is more traditional and may help with a wider range of mild discomforts.

Parent Reviews and Experiences

I’m not alone in finding relief with Parent’s Choice Gas Drops. While researching for this article, I scoured online reviews and spoke with other parents in my circle who had used them.

The consensus seems to be overwhelmingly positive, with most parents reporting noticeable improvement in their babies’ comfort levels. Common themes in positive reviews include:

• Quick relief of symptoms
• Easy administration
• Good value compared to name brands
• Gentle on babies’ systems

Of course, there are always some parents who didn’t see the results they hoped for. This reminds me that every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Some babies may have discomfort from causes other than gas, which wouldn’t respond to simethicone.

Using Gas Drops for Reflux: Is It Helpful?

Reflux was another challenge we faced with Lily around 2-3 months of age. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and causes them to spit up frequently as stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

While gas drops aren’t specifically designed to treat reflux, some parents (myself included) have found that they can help indirectly. Gas in the stomach can increase pressure, potentially worsening reflux symptoms. By reducing this gas, drops might decrease the frequency or severity of spit-up episodes.

In our case, the gas drops seemed to help moderately with Lily’s reflux, though they weren’t a complete solution. We also implemented other strategies like keeping her upright after feedings, doing smaller more frequent feedings, and eventually, under doctor’s guidance, tried a specialized formula.

If your baby has persistent reflux symptoms, especially if accompanied by poor weight gain or extreme discomfort, it’s important to consult with your pediatrician before relying solely on gas drops.

Practical Tips for Managing Gas Beyond Medication

While Parent’s Choice Gas Drops became an essential tool in our parenting arsenal, I discovered that combining them with other gas-management techniques gave us the best results. Here are some strategies that worked well for us:

1. Proper feeding techniques: Ensuring Lily had a good latch while breastfeeding and using slow-flow nipples for bottles helped reduce air intake.
2. Frequent burping: I found burping Lily every 5-10 minutes during feedings, rather than just at the end, dramatically reduced gas buildup.
3. Bicycle legs: Gently moving her legs in a cycling motion helped move gas through her system.
4. Tummy time: Besides being great for development, moderate tummy time (when she was happy, not during gas episodes) helped put gentle pressure on her abdomen.
5. Warm baths: A warm bath often relaxed her abdominal muscles and helped release trapped gas.
6. Infant massage: I learned basic infant massage techniques focusing on the abdomen, which seemed to provide relief.
7. Probiotics: Under our pediatrician’s guidance, we added infant probiotics to her routine, which seemed to improve her overall digestive comfort.

These techniques, combined with gas drops as needed, created a comprehensive approach to managing Lily’s gas issues, which gradually improved as her digestive system matured.

When to Call the Doctor: Gas Drops Aren’t Working

While gas drops are generally safe and effective, there are times when persistent discomfort warrants medical attention. I called our pediatrician when:

• Lily’s symptoms weren’t improving despite consistent use of gas drops and other techniques
• She developed a fever along with digestive discomfort
• Her crying seemed extreme or different from her usual gas crying
• She refused several feedings in a row
• Her stools changed dramatically in consistency, frequency, or color
• She seemed lethargic or significantly less active than usual

Trust your parental instincts here. You know your baby better than anyone, and if something feels wrong, it’s always better to check with your doctor. In our case, one particularly bad episode turned out to be an early ear infection rather than gas—the symptoms can sometimes be surprisingly similar!

The Final Verdict: Are Parent’s Choice Gas Drops Worth It?

After months of using Parent’s Choice Gas Drops with Lily, my conclusion is a resounding yes—they were absolutely worth it for our family. They provided reliable relief during a challenging phase of infancy, were easy to use, affordable, and had no noticeable side effects.

What I appreciate most about them is that they gave us a tangible way to help our daughter when she was uncomfortable. As new parents, few things are more distressing than feeling helpless while your baby cries in pain. Having an effective tool in our parenting toolkit provided not just relief for Lily, but peace of mind for us.

That said, they’re not magic. They work specifically for gas-related discomfort and won’t address all causes of fussiness. Using them as part of a broader approach to infant comfort—including proper feeding techniques, soothing methods, and regular pediatric check-ups—will likely give you the best results.

As with any parenting decision, what works for one family may not work for another. If you’re struggling with a gassy, fussy baby, Parent’s Choice Gas Drops are, in my experience, well worth trying.

Conclusion: Finding Peace in the Gassy Days

The newborn and early infant period is both magical and incredibly challenging. Those gas-filled days with Lily sometimes felt endless, but like all phases of childhood, they eventually passed. By around 4-5 months, her digestive system had matured significantly, and our need for gas drops decreased dramatically.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the tools that helped us navigate that difficult time—Parent’s Choice Gas Drops among them. If you’re currently in the trenches with a gassy baby, take heart. This phase will pass, and there are effective ways to help your little one feel better in the meantime.

Remember that finding the right solution for your baby’s gas discomfort isn’t just about their physical relief—it’s about preserving your sanity and allowing you to enjoy these precious early months without constant distress. Whether Parent’s Choice Gas Drops become your go-to remedy or just one tool among many, I hope this guide helps you make informed choices for your family.

Parenthood is a journey of constant learning and adaptation. Be patient with yourself and your baby as you figure out what works best for your unique situation. And don’t forget to celebrate the gas-free moments—they’re coming, I promise!