Colic in Babies: Why They Cry and How to Soothe Them

Reviewed by Dr Asma

Few things worry new parents more than a baby who cries for hours and cannot be settled. If your otherwise healthy baby cries loudly and often in the evening, pulls up the legs and refuses to be comforted, it may be infant colic. It is exhausting and frightening, but colic is common, harmless and temporary. This guide explains what colic is, how to tell it from a real illness, and what actually helps.

What is colic?

Colic is the term for long spells of crying in a healthy baby who is well fed, clean and not unwell. Doctors often describe it with the rule of threes: crying for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. It usually begins at two to four weeks of age, peaks around six weeks and settles by three to four months. The exact cause is still unknown, which can feel frustrating.

Signs of colic

• Intense crying that starts suddenly, often in the late afternoon or evening
• A red face, clenched fists and a tight tummy
• Legs pulled up toward the belly or arched back
• Passing gas, but normal feeds, normal weight gain and normal wet nappies
• Short periods of relief after burping or passing wind

Possible reasons behind colic

Nobody knows for certain, but several things may play a part: a still developing digestive system, swallowed air during feeding, gas, sensitivity to something in formula or in the mother’s diet, or simply an overstimulated baby at the end of a long day. Colic is not caused by bad parenting, and nothing you did wrong made it happen.

What can help your baby

Improve the feeding routine

• Feed in a calm place, with the head higher than the tummy
• Check the latch if you are breastfeeding, because a poor latch makes the baby swallow air
• If using a bottle, hold it at an angle so the teat stays full of milk, and choose a slow flow teat
• Burp your baby during and after each feed
• Avoid overfeeding. A crying baby is not always a hungry baby

Soothe with touch and movement

• Hold your baby upright against your chest, or lay them tummy down along your forearm while you are awake and watching them
• Gentle rocking, walking or a stroller ride
• A warm bath, followed by a soft tummy massage in clockwise circles
• Gently move the legs in a cycling motion to help release trapped wind
• Swaddle snugly for younger babies, always on the back for sleep

Calm the surroundings

A dim room, soft humming, a fan or steady background noise can calm an overstimulated baby. Many babies settle with skin to skin contact.

Be careful with gripe water, drops and home remedies

Parents often ask about colic drops, gripe water or herbal mixtures. Evidence for most of them is limited, and a newborn is very sensitive to what goes into the stomach. Do not give any drops, herbal remedies, saunf water or tea to a baby without asking your paediatrician first. If your doctor does recommend a product, you can browse options such as C Lix Colic Drop or Colicare Drops, and follow your doctor’s instructions on the label. For feeding needs, see our baby food and formula section, and speak with your doctor before changing formula.

Looking after yourself

Colic is hard on parents too. If you feel your patience running out, put the baby safely in the cot on their back, step away for a few minutes and breathe. Never shake a baby. Ask family to take turns, sleep when you can and remember that this phase will pass. If you feel very low or overwhelmed, talk to your doctor. For general guidance on the early weeks, read our newborn baby care guide.

When is crying not colic?

Take your baby to a doctor at once if crying comes with any of these signs:

• Fever, especially in a baby under three months
• Repeated or forceful vomiting, or green vomit
• Blood or mucus in the stool, or severe constipation
• Refusing feeds, poor weight gain or fewer wet nappies
• A swollen, hard tummy or a baby who is limp, very sleepy or hard to wake
• Crying that suddenly changes or is high pitched and does not stop

Rashes can also upset babies, so check the nappy area as well. Our guide on diaper rash in babies explains what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

How long does colic last?

Most babies outgrow it by three to four months, and almost all by six months.

Does colic harm my baby?

No. Colic does not cause lasting damage and does not affect growth or development.

Is colic caused by milk allergy?

A small number of babies react to cow milk protein. If your baby also has vomiting, rashes or blood in the stool, ask your doctor to check.

Should I change the formula?

Do not switch on your own. Many changes make no difference. Speak with your paediatrician first.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified paediatrician before giving any medicine or remedy to a baby.