Colic in babies

Colic in Babies: Symptoms and Remedies

6 min readUpdated July 18, 2024
Christopher B. Peltier
Medically reviewed by
Christopher B. Peltier
MD, FAAP
Colic is a common yet distressing condition marked by frequent, intense, and prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby. These episodes often last more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for over three weeks, typically peaking around six weeks of age and easing by three to four months.
Here are key signs of colic to watch for:
  • Intense crying. May sound like screaming or indicate discomfort.
  • No clear cause. Episodes happen even when the baby isn’t hungry or in need of a diaper change.
  • Predictable timing. Often occurs in the evening.
  • Physical cues. Clenched fists, arched back, stiff limbs, flushed face.
  • Possible relief. Crying may ease after passing gas or a bowel movement.
The cause of colic isn’t fully understood, but possible factors include digestive immaturity, gut bacteria imbalance, feeding challenges, or even parental stress. Caring for a colicky baby can be exhausting, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. In this article, we’ll explore soothing techniques, management tips, and when to seek help—so you and your baby can find some relief.

What Is Colic in Babies?

The definition of colic is a condition when a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for three or more weeks, and is hard to console or comfort.
With a colicky baby, the bouts of crying typically intensify and last as the day goes on and can worsen in the evening.
Sometimes your baby will cry because they’re hungry, tired, or have a wet diaper. But they’ll stop crying when they’ve been fed, cuddled, or had their diaper changed. If, however, they seem to cry for no reason, and continue to cry even once you’ve checked their diaper, fed them, and comforted them as best you can, they may have colic. This is what sets normal crying apart from colicky crying. With normal crying, your baby will generally respond to comfort measures and stop crying eventually; with colic, your baby persistently cries and can’t be consoled.

How Common is Colic?

It’s pretty common for babies to have colic. Around 20 percent of babies worldwide experience colic; that’s about 1 in 5 babies. It’s most common during the first 4 months of a baby’s life.

What Causes Colic in Babies?

Medical experts aren’t quite sure what causes an otherwise healthy baby to cry so much. The condition could result from multiple contributing factors, and sometimes multiple triggers may be at play.
Theories about the potential causes of colic in infants include:
  • Gassiness. Many babies with colic have gas, but gas can be the result of crying—air is swallowed when a baby cries or nurses, and all the trapped air can make your baby feel uncomfortable.
  • Digestive issues. This can include if your baby’s digestive system is still underdeveloped or if there is an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive system.
  • Temperament. Babies are born with certain personality traits, and some babies may be more sensitive or easily irritated than others.
  • Sensitivity to stimulation. If your little one’s nervous system is immature, your child may be extra sensitive to stimulation. For example, all the new signs and sounds your baby is exposed to might be overwhelming, and because your baby cannot yet effectively self-soothe, they may start crying. Preemies who feel overwhelmed by all the new external stimuli may appear to be fussy instead of crying.
  • Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Since your baby’s sphincter (the muscle that locks off the stomach from the esophagus) is still maturing, liquid in your baby’s tummy may travel back up toward the throat. The discomfort of this may cause crying. Although almost all babies get reflux from time to time, if the condition becomes chronic (that is it happens often) and result in symptoms like fussiness and feeding aversion, it is called GERD. The symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can include arching of the back, wet burps, irritability, and refusing to eat or only eating a little.
  • Overfeeding or underfeeding. Being hungry as well as feeling too full can cause your baby to feel uncomfortable, and your little one may express this discomfort by crying.
  • Not enough burping. Burping your baby helps remove some of the trapped air they swallow during feeds or while crying. If you don’t burp your baby often enough during feeds, that trapped air can result in your baby feeling gassy and the discomfort can lead to crying.
  • Food allergies or milk intolerance. If you breastfeed your baby, your little one may be sensitive to something in your diet. If your baby is on formula, they may be sensitive to an ingredient in the formula.
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking during your pregnancy or exposing your baby to smoke in your home may affect how active and optimally functioning your baby’s gastrointestinal tract is, and this in turn may increase the risk of colic. Keeping your home and your baby's environment smoke-free is also crucial for protecting your baby from SIDS and respiratory illnesses.
  • Family stress or tension.
  • Underlying health issues. In some rare cases, it could be that your baby has colicky cries because of a medical problem like a hernia or an infection.

Signs and Symptoms of Colic in Babies

So, how do you know if your infant has colic? If you suspect you have a colicky baby, look out for the following possible signs and symptoms:
  • Inconsolable crying
  • Screaming
  • Extending or pulling up their legs to their tummy
  • Passing gas
  • Enlarged or distended stomach
  • Arched back
  • Clenched fists
  • Reddened face after a long episode of crying.

Colic Vs. Gas

Colic and gas both cause infant discomfort but differ significantly. Colic involves extended and unexplained crying periods in otherwise healthy babies. Sometimes there’s no way to soothe a colicky baby. A colicky baby may cry for at least three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks, typically resolving by three to four months.
Gas results from air swallowed during feeding, causing digestive discomfort. It peaks around 6-8 weeks and generally improves by three months. A gassy baby may have increased fussiness after feeding. Managing gas involves burping your baby regularly, using a bottle to minimize air intake, and increasing tummy time. Crying or fussiness generally stops or decreases once your baby has passed their gas.

How to Help Soothe a Colicky Baby

Many parents feel helpless and confused about how to help calm their colicky baby. Here are some things you could try to help soothe your baby if they have colic, sometimes even before a bout of crying starts:
  • Rock, walk, and hold. Rock your baby in your arms or a rocking chair. Put them in a swing. Walk with your baby in a stroller or baby carrier. Hold them against your chest. Take them for a car ride. These motions and the close contact can be soothing for your little one.
  • Offer your baby a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier may help calm them. Keep in mind you should never give your baby a pacifier that is filled or dipped in honey. This is partly because of the sugar in honey, plus it’s not healthy for babies under the age of 12 months to have honey due to a risk of developing botulism. Read more about when babies can have honey.
  • Give them a gentle massage. Place your baby across your lap, tummy down, and rub their back. Read more about giving your baby a massage.
  • Turn on some white noise. Turn on a fan, a dryer, vacuum cleaner, or noise machine as they may find these kinds of noises comforting.
  • Give them a warm bath. If your baby finds being in water soothing, you can indulge them in a lovely warm bath when they’re feeling fussy. Just make sure to never leave your little one unattended near water.
  • Play soft music, sing, or talk to them. Soothing your little one this way may help them calm down.
  • Wrap them securely in a large, thin blanket. You may even like to swaddle your baby, which involves wrapping them snugly in a swaddle blanket.

How to hold a Colicky Baby?

You may wish to try different ways of holding your baby that can help soothe them. Some babies may be soothed when held close to your chest. You could also try the “football hold” or “colic carry,” where your baby’s chest and abdomen rest against your arm while you support their head at your elbow. Alternatively, you could try holding your baby upright, which may help them to pass gas, while also helping to reduce heartburn.
Soothing techniques such as gentle rocking, swaddling, or even a warm bath are great methods to help calm a colicky baby. It’s crucial to remain calm and patient, as babies can often sense your stress, which might increase their distress.

Baby Colic Treatments and Remedies

If you’re wondering how to get rid of colic, unfortunately, there’s no cure. Sometimes your baby will cry no matter what you do. So, try not to beat yourself up about it! Try any number of these different approaches. If one method doesn’t work within a week, go with something else on the list.
  • Do not overfeed your baby. This can make them uncomfortable. It might be best to wait about two to two and a half hours in between feedings. If you’re unsure whether you’re feeding your baby enough, ask your child’s healthcare provider for personalized advice.
  • Watch what you’re eating. If you’re breastfeeding, try to eliminate caffeine, onions, cabbage, and other potentially irritating foods from your diet. Read more about caffeine and breastfeeding.
  • Switch formulas. If you’re feeding your baby formula, check with their healthcare provider about trying a different formula like a hydrolyzed formula (hypoallergenic), in case the colic may be a result of an allergy or intolerance to something in the formula.
  • Try burping your baby more often. Don’t wait until the end of a feed to burp your baby; instead, burp them throughout the feed even if you think your baby may not need to be burped. For example, if you are bottle-feeding your baby you may wish to burp them every two to three ounces of milk, and if you’re breastfeeding your baby you may wish to burp them when you switch from one breast to the other. You can read more about how to burp your baby.
You may find that by the time you’ve tried most of these steps, your baby will have outgrown this colicky phase.

When Does Colic Typically Start?

Newborns start to cry more frequently when they’re around 2 weeks old. The age when colic generally appears is between 2 and 4 weeks. It commonly peaks between 4 and 6 weeks of age.

How Long Does Colic Typically Last in Babies?

Colic episodes can last for about 3 hours a day until your baby is about 6 weeks old; then, these episodes may get shorter and last about 1 or 2 hours a day until your little one is about 3 or 4 months old.
So, when does colic go away? In general, colicky crying tends to stop when your child is about 4 months old, but it can sometimes last until around 6 months of age.

How to Prevent Colic

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent colic. Sometimes it’s just a matter of using various methods to help soothe your baby when they’re colicky and simply waiting it out.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider

If your baby’s crying persists and nothing seems to help, it could be time to visit your baby’s healthcare provider. They’ll be able to determine whether your little one has colic or pinpoint another medical condition.
Also, if your baby still shows signs of colic once they’re more than 6 months old, speak to your baby’s healthcare provider to find out if there is an underlying cause.
Seek immediate medical attention if your baby

Coping With a Colicky Baby as a Parent

When your baby has colic, it’s important to pay attention to your own emotional state. Caring for a colicky baby can be tough, and can make many parents feel anxious and inadequate, not to mention stressed.
No matter how frustrated you feel, never shake your baby. Shaking an infant can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to permanent damage and even death. If you find yourself feeling out of control and unable to cope with your baby’s crying, try one or more of the following steps:
  • Take deep breaths and count to 10
  • Put your baby in their crib or another safe place, and leave the room for a few minutes to take a break
  • Call a friend or family member for emotional support
  • Call your healthcare provider and make an appointment to have your baby seen to rule out a medical condition unrelated to colic
  • Ask for and accept help from family and friends who can take care of your baby for a short period, giving you a much-needed break
  • Don’t feel guilty about soothing your baby. You are not spoiling them. By holding and comforting them, you are trying to make them feel better, and eventually the colic will subside.

FAQS AT A GLANCE

Medical experts aren’t quite sure what causes colic in babies, but contributing factors may include:

  • Gas
  • An underdeveloped digestive system
  • Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Overfeeding
  • Underfeeding
  • Not enough burping
  • Food allergies or milk intolerances
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
  • Family tension.

The Bottom Line

No matter how upset or frustrated you might feel when your baby is crying, remember that you’re doing a great job as a parent. Soon enough, this colicky phase will pass, and you can get through this.
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The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

About Christopher B. Peltier

Pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel, Inc.; Cincinnati, OH

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