Colic in a Newborn: Why Your Baby Cries and What Parents Can Do
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Colic describes repeated periods of intense crying in an otherwise healthy young baby who is feeding and growing normally. Crying often increases during the first several weeks, commonly peaks around 6 weeks of age, and usually improves substantially by 3–4 months.
Colic can be exhausting, but it does not usually mean something is wrong with the baby. However, persistent crying should not automatically be labeled colic until illness, feeding problems, pain, and other medical causes have been considered.
- Colic is prolonged or recurrent crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
- It commonly begins during the first few weeks of life.
- Crying often peaks around 6 weeks and improves by 3–4 months.
- Babies with colic generally feed, grow, and behave normally between episodes.
- Gas is frequently blamed for colic, but it is usually not the primary cause.
- Gripe water, gas drops, reflux medicines, and other products have not been consistently shown to cure colic.
- A baby with fever, poor feeding, vomiting, unusual sleepiness, difficulty breathing, or abnormal behavior should not simply be assumed to have colic.
Almost every newborn has periods of fussiness. Some babies, however, cry for long stretches and seem nearly impossible to comfort.
Parents may feed, burp, rock, walk, swaddle, change the diaper, and start the entire process again—only to find that the crying continues.
When this happens day after day in an otherwise healthy infant, parents often hear the word colic.
Colic can be incredibly stressful, but the good news is that it is temporary. The important task is first making sure that the crying pattern really is consistent with colic and not a sign of illness or another problem.
What Is Colic?
Colic is a term used for frequent, prolonged crying or fussiness in an infant who otherwise appears healthy.
Traditionally, colic has often been described using the “rule of threes”—crying for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, for several weeks.
In everyday pediatric practice, the exact number of hours is less important than the pattern.
A baby with colic generally grows normally, feeds appropriately, has normal wet diapers, and appears comfortable and healthy between crying episodes.
When Does Colic Usually Start?
Colicky crying often begins during the first few weeks after birth.
Many babies become increasingly fussy as they approach 4–6 weeks of age. Crying often reaches its peak around 6 weeks.
From there, the amount of crying generally begins to decrease.
For most babies, colic improves substantially by about 3–4 months of age, although some infants remain fussy somewhat longer.
What Does Colic Look Like?
A colicky baby may suddenly begin crying intensely, often at roughly the same time of day.
Evening fussiness is particularly common.
During an episode, a baby may:
- Cry loudly or appear difficult to console
- Pull the legs toward the abdomen
- Extend or stiffen the legs
- Clench the fists
- Turn red in the face
- Pass gas
- Seem tense while crying
Once the episode passes, the baby should return to relatively normal behavior.
What Causes Colic?
There is no single proven cause.
One theory is that some young babies have more difficulty regulating stimulation and calming themselves because their nervous systems are still immature.
Normal newborn development, temperament, sleep patterns, feeding, and environmental stimulation may all contribute to periods of intense fussiness.
Importantly, colic is not caused by poor parenting.
Is Colic Caused by Gas?
Gas is one of the most common explanations parents hear for newborn crying—but the relationship is not as simple as it seems.
Crying babies swallow air. As a result, they may burp, pass gas, and make plenty of intestinal noises.
That can make it appear that gas caused the crying when the gas may actually be a consequence of prolonged crying.
Current AAP parent guidance cautions against assuming that ordinary intestinal gas is the explanation for recurrent crying.
Is Colic Caused by Reflux?
Usually not.
Spitting up is extremely common during infancy and usually does not cause persistent crying.
Acid-suppressing medicines have not been shown to help ordinary unexplained colic and can have side effects.
If your baby has forceful vomiting, feeding refusal, poor weight gain, choking or coughing with feeds, blood in vomit or stool, or other concerning symptoms, your pediatrician should evaluate the baby rather than simply assuming reflux or colic.
- Make sure your baby is not hungry, too warm, too cold, or in need of a diaper change.
- Try holding your baby close and gently rocking or walking.
- Reduce lights, noise, and stimulation.
- Try quiet singing, humming, or steady white noise.
- If you swaddle your baby, use safe swaddling practices and always place the baby on the back for sleep.
- Avoid repeatedly feeding simply to stop every crying episode, since overfeeding can cause discomfort.
- Ask another trusted adult to help when you are becoming exhausted.
Different babies respond to different soothing techniques. Sometimes nothing completely stops a colic episode, and that does not mean you are doing something wrong.
Do Gas Drops or Gripe Water Help Colic?
Parents understandably look for something that will stop the crying.
However, research has not consistently shown that common gas drops such as simethicone relieve colic.
Gripe water products vary widely in their ingredients, and there is not strong evidence that they reliably treat colic.
Before giving a newborn any over-the-counter remedy, herbal preparation, supplement, or probiotic, discuss it with your pediatrician.
Could My Baby Have a Milk Protein Allergy?
Occasionally, significant fussiness can be associated with cow's milk protein sensitivity or allergy, but this accounts for only a small proportion of babies who cry excessively.
Other findings may include blood or mucus in the stool, feeding difficulty, vomiting, diarrhea, eczema, or poor growth.
Do not repeatedly switch formulas or eliminate large portions of a breastfeeding parent's diet without discussing the pattern with your pediatrician first.
If a dietary trial is appropriate, your pediatrician can help decide what to change and how long to evaluate the response.
How Can I Tell Colic From Illness?
This is one of the most important questions.
With colic, a baby should generally be healthy between crying spells.
The baby should feed adequately, produce normal wet diapers, gain weight appropriately, breathe comfortably, and have periods when they are alert and content.
A baby who remains abnormal between episodes—or develops other symptoms—needs medical evaluation.
Contact your pediatrician if:
- Your baby has never been evaluated for persistent excessive crying.
- The crying pattern suddenly changes.
- Your baby is difficult to console and something seems different.
- Your baby is feeding poorly or refusing feeds.
- Your baby is not gaining weight appropriately.
- Your baby has repeated vomiting.
- You notice blood or significant mucus in the stool.
- Your baby seems uncomfortable or abnormal between crying episodes.
- You are simply worried that something other than colic may be happening.
When Is Crying an Emergency?
Do not assume severe crying is colic if your baby:
- Has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and is 3 months old or younger.
- Is extremely sleepy, weak, poorly responsive, or very difficult to wake.
- Has trouble breathing or abnormal blue, gray, or very pale skin or lip color.
- Has repeated forceful or projectile vomiting.
- Has green or bile-stained vomiting.
- Has blood in the vomit or stool.
- Has a swollen or unusually distended abdomen.
- Has a seizure.
- Cries when moved or touched as though in significant pain.
- Looks seriously ill to you.
What If the Crying Is Becoming Too Much for Me?
Colic can push even a calm, loving caregiver to the point of exhaustion.
If you feel yourself becoming angry, panicked, or unable to cope, place your baby safely on their back in an empty crib or bassinet and step away for a short period.
Call your partner, family member, friend, or another trusted adult and ask for help.
It is safer for your baby to cry for a short period in a safe sleep space while you regain control than for you to continue holding the baby while overwhelmed.
Never shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk a baby. Shaking can cause devastating brain injury or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does colic last?
Crying commonly peaks around 6 weeks of age and then gradually decreases. Most colic has substantially improved by 3–4 months.
Does colic mean my baby is sick?
Colic itself occurs in an otherwise healthy baby. However, medical problems can also cause crying, which is why persistent or unusual crying should be discussed with your pediatrician.
Can colic hurt my baby?
Colic itself does not generally cause long-term harm. The major challenge is the stress and exhaustion it can create for families and caregivers.
Should I change my baby's formula?
Not automatically. Formula changes do not help most babies with colic. If your pediatrician suspects cow's milk protein sensitivity or another feeding issue, a supervised formula trial may be appropriate.
Do probiotics treat colic?
Evidence varies depending on the probiotic strain and whether the baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Probiotics should not be considered a universal treatment for colic. Discuss any probiotic with your pediatrician before giving it to your newborn.
Does picking up a crying newborn spoil the baby?
No. Responding to a newborn's crying provides comfort and security. Young babies cry because they need help regulating hunger, fatigue, stimulation, discomfort, and emotion—not because they are manipulating their parents.
One of the most reassuring things I looked for in a baby with suspected colic was what happened between the crying episodes.
A baby who feeds well, grows appropriately, has normal wet diapers, and returns to being alert and comfortable between episodes is very different from a baby who remains lethargic, uncomfortable, or ill.
Colic can be incredibly difficult for parents—but fortunately, it is also temporary.
Newborn Questions Can Feel Overwhelming
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Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Colic Relief Tips for Parents
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Responding to Your Baby's Cries
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. How to Calm a Fussy Baby
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Crying Baby — Before 3 Months Old
Related Parent Resources
Find more pediatric guidance about crying, feeding, sleep, digestion, and other common newborn concerns in our Newborn Care Library →
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your child's pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional. Colic is a diagnosis used for excessive crying in an otherwise healthy infant, and medical conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms. Contact your pediatrician if your baby's crying is new, unusual, persistent, associated with poor feeding, vomiting, poor weight gain, fever, abnormal behavior, or other concerning symptoms. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby 3 months old or younger requires prompt medical evaluation. Green vomiting, breathing difficulty, severe lethargy, seizure, abnormal skin color, or a baby who appears seriously ill requires immediate medical attention. If you believe your baby is experiencing an emergency, seek immediate medical care.