To give Mylicon drops, slowly dispense the liquid into your baby’s mouth, aiming toward the inner cheek. You can give the drops directly using the dropper or syringe that comes with the bottle, or mix them into a small amount of formula, water, or another liquid. The process is simple, but a few details about positioning, timing, and dosing will help you get it right.
Giving Drops Directly by Mouth
The most straightforward method is dispensing the drops straight into your baby’s mouth. Fill the dropper or syringe to the correct dose line, then place the tip just inside your baby’s mouth, aimed at the inner cheek rather than the back of the throat. Dispense slowly. Targeting the cheek lets the liquid pool where your baby can swallow it comfortably and reduces the chance of gagging or spitting it out.
Hold your baby in a slightly upright or semi-reclined position, similar to how you’d hold them for a feeding. If your baby fusses or turns away, try gently touching the dropper tip to the corner of their lips first. Many babies will instinctively open their mouth. You can also try offering the drops during a calm, alert moment rather than when they’re already crying and swallowing air.
Mixing With Formula or Water
If your baby refuses the dropper, you can mix the dose into 1 ounce of cool water, infant formula, or another suitable liquid. This works well if your baby is already taking a bottle. Just add the drops to the liquid, swirl gently, and feed as normal. Make sure your baby finishes the full ounce so they get the complete dose.
One thing to keep in mind: if you’re breastfeeding and your baby doesn’t take a bottle, the direct method is your best option. Mixing with breast milk in a small cup or spoon is another alternative some parents use, though the product labeling specifically mentions water, formula, or “other suitable liquids.”
When to Give the Drops
Mylicon can be given at each feeding or as needed when your baby shows signs of gas discomfort, like pulling their legs up, arching their back, or fussing during or after a meal. Many parents find it most effective to give the drops during or right after a feeding, since that’s when swallowed air tends to cause the most trouble. The active ingredient, simethicone, works by combining small gas bubbles in the stomach into larger ones that are easier for your baby to pass, so giving it close to feeding time puts it where it’s needed.
You can give up to 12 doses in a 24-hour period, which lines up roughly with frequent newborn feeding schedules. There’s no need to wake a sleeping baby for a dose. Use it when gas symptoms actually appear rather than on a strict schedule.
Choosing Between Original and Dye-Free
Mylicon comes in an original formula and a dye-free version. The dye-free option skips artificial colors and contains no saccharin. Its inactive ingredients include things like sorbitol (a mild sweetener), natural flavors, and sodium benzoate (a common preservative). If your baby has phenylketonuria (PKU), check with your pediatrician before using the liquid form, as some versions may contain phenylalanine.
Both versions contain the same active ingredient at the same concentration, so effectiveness is identical. The choice comes down to whether you want to avoid dyes or specific additives.
Safety Considerations
Simethicone is not absorbed into the bloodstream. It stays in the digestive tract and passes through, which is why it has an extremely low risk of side effects. Most babies tolerate it without any reaction at all.
That said, allergic reactions are possible with any product. Signs to watch for include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. These reactions are rare but require immediate medical attention. Do not use Mylicon if your baby has had a previous allergic reaction to simethicone or any of the inactive ingredients in the formula.
Storage and Handling Tips
Store the bottle at room temperature and do not freeze it. Keep the cap tightly closed between uses. Before each dose, check that the dropper or syringe is clean. If you’re using the built-in dropper, rinse it with warm water after each use to prevent sticky residue from building up and making measurements less accurate. Always check the expiration date printed on the packaging, and discard the bottle once it’s expired.
Shake the bottle gently before dispensing if the label instructs you to. Simethicone drops can settle over time, and a quick shake ensures an even concentration in each dose.