Infant Colic: Causes, Soothing, and When to See a Doctor

Infant colic is repeated, hard-to-soothe crying in some babies, often in the first weeks of life and then it eases gradually. This does not mean there is something wrong with you or your baby, but it does take patience and knowing what may help.

What is infant colic?

Colic is not the name of one disease so much as a description of a crying pattern in a baby who seems well on the outside. The crying is often intense, happens at similar times of day, often in the evening, and the baby may seem tense or pull up their legs or clench their fists.

In most babies, this pattern starts at about 2 to 3 weeks of age, peaks over the following weeks, and then begins to improve before 3 to 4 months of age. This varies from baby to baby, and some babies never have it at all.

Why does colic happen?

There is no one confirmed cause for all babies. In most cases we do not know a clear cause, and that can be very hard for parents.

You may notice that the crying seems linked to things such as:

• hunger or the need to feed
• air the baby swallows while feeding
• the need to burp, meaning to release air from the stomach
• being overtired or overstimulated by noise, light, and visitors
• sensitivity or discomfort with some feeding methods in some babies

But it is very important: colic does not automatically mean the milk “does not suit” the baby, or that there is a big problem. Do not try to change everything at once on your own. If you have questions about feeding or milk amounts, tracking breastfeeding and formula feeds may help you follow what the baby drinks and when.

How can I soothe my baby during colic?

There is no one method that works for every baby. Try calm first, then choose one or two of the following and repeat them gently. Sometimes a baby needs the same routine every day more than they need many solutions.

1. Hold your baby close.
2. Try gentle movement, like walking with them or very light rocking in your arms.
3. A calm, steady sound may help, such as shushing or soft white noise.
4. Reduce light and noise if your baby seems upset.
5. Make sure your baby burps after feeding if that suits your baby.
6. Try changing position: on your shoulder, on your arm, or upright a little after feeding.
7. Some babies settle when wrapped snugly and safely, but their breathing must stay free and the wrap must not be tight.
8. If bedtime is near, follow a calm routine; sometimes tiredness makes crying worse. Tracking baby sleep and naps can help you notice the pattern.

If you are breastfeeding, slowing the pace and making sure your baby latches well may sometimes help. If your baby drinks from a bottle, pausing for burping at intervals may help. Do not change the type of milk or your method often without a clear reason or without asking a doctor.

What should I not do when my baby is crying?

When a person is tired, they may feel close to breaking. That is normal, but there are things that must be avoided completely.

• Never shake your baby, even if the crying is severe. Shaking an infant can cause serious harm.
• If you feel you are about to lose control, place the baby safely on their back, step away for a few minutes, and ask someone else to take over if possible.
• Do not leave your baby crying alone in an unsafe place.
• Do not try remedies, mixtures, or herbs on your own.

If your baby seems stable but you are exhausted, that is also an important sign. Organising what happens each day, such as feeding and sleep, can help you see the pattern more clearly, and learn may be useful if you want to read other reliable material about baby care.

How do I care for myself while dealing with infant colic?

Dealing with hours of crying can drain you completely. You need a small plan, not nonstop endurance.

Try to remember these points:

• Take short breathing breaks when the baby is in a safe place.
• Ask your partner or a family member to take turns with you if possible.
• Prepare for the evening ahead of time: water, a snack, a phone charger, and anything else you may need.
• If someone else is helping you, share with them what worked for your baby and what did not. Sharing the baby’s record with family, the caregiver, and the doctor may help so you do not have to explain everything again.
• Remember that colic settles with time in many babies.

If you feel very sad, worried in a way that does not settle, or like you cannot keep going, ask for help from someone close or from your doctor. Your health matters as much as your baby’s.

When is this not colic?

Typical colic does not cause a fever, does not make the baby very sleepy, and does not clearly stop them from feeding. If something different appears, do not assume it is colic.

Also see a doctor if the crying comes with:

• repeated vomiting or green vomit
• severe diarrhoea or blood in the stool
• fever
• trouble breathing
• refusing feeds or clearly weaker feeding
• fewer wet nappies or signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth or unusual sleepiness
• a very swollen belly or strong pain when the belly is touched
• a rash with swelling or trouble breathing
• crying that is suddenly unlike usual, or crying that does not settle at all

When should I see a doctor?

Frequently asked questions about infant colic

Does colic mean my baby is always hungry?

Not necessarily. Some babies settle when they feed because they need it, but colic itself does not always mean hunger. If your baby also seems uncomfortable after feeding, the cause may be something else such as tiredness, the need to burp, or overstimulation.

Will changing the milk fix colic?

It is usually not best to change milk quickly on your own. In many cases, colic is not caused by the type of milk. If you have doubts about feeding or nutrition, speak to a doctor before changing anything, especially if there is vomiting, unusual stool, or weak feeding.

How long does colic usually last?

In many babies it starts in the first weeks and improves gradually before 3 to 4 months of age. But every baby is different. If the crying stays severe, or if something unusual appears with it such as fever, vomiting, or weak feeding, that is not a normal pattern and needs medical assessment.

Is it normal that I feel tired and stressed by my baby’s crying?

Yes, this is very common. Constant infant crying is exhausting. The important thing is not to stay alone with severe exhaustion. Put the baby in a safe place if you need a minute, and ask someone you trust for help. And most importantly: never shake the baby.