I have no idea what gripe water is....the other UK mums will have to help us out on that one. I don't know if you can get it in the UK, but I think you can. It's a drug (simethicone) that makes all the little gas bubbles form into bigger gas bubbles as it goes through the system, making the wind easier to pass. You can give it right after a feed, during, or right before, or in between meals. I always gave it to Isom right after his bottle and oh the difference was phenomenal! I hope you can get it. I'll go check the other posts and see if I can find out whether or not it's available in the UK.