Newborn Colic: Symptoms, Causes & What Parents Can Do

Written & Medically Reviewed by Dr. GBoard-Certified Pediatrician · 38 Years of Pediatric ExperienceAbout Dr. G →

💡 Quick Answer

Colic describes repeated, prolonged crying in a young baby who is otherwise healthy, feeding adequately, and growing normally. It often begins during the first few weeks, peaks around 4 to 6 weeks, and improves by 3 to 4 months.

Colic can be exhausting, but it is temporary and is not caused by poor parenting. Because illness, pain, and feeding problems can also cause crying, a baby should not be labeled “colicky” without considering other causes—especially when the crying is new, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms.

✓ Key Takeaways

  • Colic is recurrent, intense crying in an otherwise healthy young infant.
  • Crying commonly peaks around 4 to 6 weeks and improves by 3 to 4 months.
  • A baby with colic should look and behave well between crying spells.
  • Gas often follows crying because babies swallow air; it is not always the cause.
  • No single colic remedy works for every baby.
  • Gas drops, gripe water, reflux medicine, and routine formula changes have not been proven to cure ordinary colic.
  • Fever, poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, breathing trouble, blood, abdominal swelling, or an ill appearance requires medical attention.

Almost every newborn has a fussy period. Some babies, however, cry for long stretches and seem nearly impossible to comfort. Parents may feed, burp, rock, walk, swaddle, and change the diaper—only to find that the crying continues.

When this happens day after day in an otherwise healthy infant, parents often hear the word colic. The first job is to make sure the pattern fits colic and not illness, injury, hunger, feeding difficulty, or another source of pain.

What Is Colic in a Baby?

Infant colic is a pattern of frequent, prolonged, hard-to-soothe crying in a baby who otherwise appears healthy. The traditional “rule of threes” describes crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. In practice, the exact clock time matters less than the overall pattern and the baby’s condition.

A colicky baby generally feeds well, has normal wet diapers, gains weight, breathes comfortably, and returns to normal behavior between crying episodes. Colic is a description of a crying pattern—not a single disease and not proof that the baby has stomach pain.

What Are the Signs of Colic?

Colicky crying may begin suddenly and often becomes worse in the late afternoon or evening. During a spell, a baby may:

  • Cry loudly or scream
  • Be difficult to console
  • Clench the fists
  • Pull the knees toward the belly
  • Stiffen or extend the legs
  • Turn red in the face
  • Pass gas or make gurgling sounds
  • Appear tense while crying

These behaviors can occur with many kinds of crying. The strongest clue is what happens between episodes: a baby with colic should return to a relatively comfortable, alert state.

More consistent with colic Needs medical attention
Baby is comfortable between spells Baby remains weak, sleepy, painful, or abnormal
Feeds and grows normally Poor feeding or poor weight gain
Normal wet diapers Fewer wet diapers or dehydration
No fever or other illness signs Fever, vomiting, blood, breathing difficulty, or swelling

When Does Colic Start, Peak, and End?

Newborn colic usually begins during the first few weeks of life. Crying often becomes most noticeable around 4 to 6 weeks. It then gradually decreases. Most babies improve substantially by 3 to 4 months, although some remain fussy longer.

Crying that begins suddenly in a previously comfortable baby—or continues well beyond the expected age—deserves a fresh medical review rather than an automatic colic label.

What Causes Colic?

There is no single proven cause. A young baby’s nervous system, sleep-wake rhythm, feeding coordination, temperament, and sensitivity to stimulation may all contribute. Some babies have more difficulty calming once they become overtired or overstimulated.

Colic is not caused by holding a baby too much, responding to crying, or failing as a parent. It can occur in breastfed and formula-fed babies and in calm, attentive homes.

Is colic caused by gas?

Gas is often blamed because crying babies pull up their legs and pass gas. However, babies swallow air while crying, so the gas may be an effect rather than the cause. See our guide to baby gas relief.

Is colic caused by reflux?

Usually not. Spit-up is common and often painless. Acid-suppressing medicine does not treat ordinary colic and may cause side effects. Forceful, green, or bloody vomiting; feeding refusal; choking; pain; or poor growth requires evaluation. Read Why Does My Newborn Spit Up So Much?

Could it be a milk-protein allergy?

A small number of babies with excessive crying have cow’s-milk protein allergy or another feeding problem. Clues may include blood or mucus in the stool, vomiting, diarrhea, eczema, feeding trouble, or poor growth. Do not repeatedly change formula or remove major foods from a breastfeeding parent’s diet without pediatric guidance.

🏠 How to Soothe a Colicky Baby

  1. Check hunger, diaper, temperature, clothing, and signs of illness first.
  2. Hold your baby close and try gentle rocking, walking, or swaying.
  3. Reduce bright light, noise, and stimulation.
  4. Try soft singing, humming, or low, steady white noise.
  5. Offer a pacifier if your baby uses one.
  6. Burp during and after feeds, but do not keep forcing a burp.
  7. Avoid repeatedly feeding every cry; overfeeding can increase discomfort.
  8. If swaddling, keep it hip-safe, avoid overheating, stop when rolling begins, and always place the baby on the back for sleep.

Different babies respond to different approaches. Sometimes nothing fully stops an episode. That does not mean you are doing something wrong.

Do Colic Remedies Work?

Simethicone gas dropsGenerally considered low risk when used correctly, but studies have not consistently shown relief from colic.
Gripe waterIngredients vary, and strong evidence that it reliably treats colic is lacking.
ProbioticsResults depend on the exact strain and feeding method. They are not a universal treatment.
Formula changesNot routinely helpful unless a pediatrician suspects allergy or another feeding problem.

Speak with your pediatrician before giving a newborn medication, herbal product, supplement, or probiotic. “Natural” does not automatically mean safe, standardized, or effective.

What If the Crying Is Becoming Too Much?

Colic can push a loving caregiver to exhaustion. If you feel angry, panicked, or out of control, place your baby safely on the back in an empty crib or bassinet and step away briefly. Ask a partner, relative, friend, or trusted adult for help.

Never shake, throw, hit, or jerk a baby. Shaking can cause devastating brain injury or death. A short period of crying in a safe sleep space is safer than continuing to hold the baby when you feel overwhelmed.

☎️ When to Call Your Pediatrician

  • Your baby has never been evaluated for persistent, excessive crying.
  • The crying is new, worsening, or different from the usual pattern.
  • Your baby feeds poorly, repeatedly refuses feeds, or is not gaining weight.
  • Wet diapers decrease.
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, eczema, or blood or mucus in the stool occurs.
  • Your baby appears uncomfortable or abnormal between spells.
  • The crying continues beyond the age when colic usually improves.
  • You are overwhelmed, worried, or feel something is not right.

🚨 Seek Prompt Medical Care If

  • A baby younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
  • The baby is weak, limp, unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, or looks very ill.
  • Breathing is difficult or the lips or skin appear blue, gray, or very pale.
  • Vomit is green, bloody, or repeatedly forceful or projectile.
  • The abdomen is markedly swollen, firm, or tender.
  • There is significant blood in the stool.
  • The baby has a seizure, will not feed, or has substantially fewer wet diapers.
  • Crying is nonstop, the baby cannot be consoled, or the baby cries when moved or touched.

💜 Dr. G’s Pearl

In 38 years of pediatrics, one of the most reassuring things I looked for was what happened between the crying episodes. A baby who feeds, grows, urinates, and returns to being alert and comfortable is very different from a baby who remains lethargic, painful, or ill.

Colic is hard, but it is temporary. Accept help, take safe breaks, and call your pediatrician whenever the pattern no longer looks like ordinary colic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colic in Babies

How do I know if my baby has colic?
Colic causes repeated, difficult-to-soothe crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy. Your baby should feed, grow, urinate, and appear well between episodes. Because illness and pain can look similar, discuss persistent crying with your pediatrician.
How long does colic last?
It commonly peaks around 4 to 6 weeks and improves by 3 to 4 months. Some babies remain fussy longer, but persistent or changing symptoms deserve reassessment.
What is the main cause of colic?
There is no single proven cause. Normal nervous-system immaturity, temperament, sleep, feeding coordination, and sensitivity to stimulation may all contribute.
Can colic hurt my baby?
Colic itself does not usually cause long-term harm. The main risks come from missing another illness or from caregiver exhaustion, which is why medical review and safe breaks are important.
What is the best way to soothe a colicky baby?
Start with basic needs, then try holding, rocking, walking, reduced stimulation, gentle white noise, or a pacifier. No method works every time, and it is safe to place the baby on the back in an empty crib while you take a brief break.
Should I change formula for colic?
Not automatically. Most formula changes do not cure colic. A supervised trial may be appropriate when other findings suggest cow’s-milk protein allergy or another feeding problem.
Do gas drops help colic?
Research has not consistently shown that simethicone relieves colic. Ask your pediatrician before giving medication to a newborn.
Does gripe water help colic?
Strong evidence of reliable benefit is lacking, and ingredients vary by product. Discuss it with your pediatrician before use.
Does picking up a crying newborn spoil the baby?
No. Responding provides comfort and security. Newborns cry because they need help regulating hunger, fatigue, stimulation, discomfort, and emotion—not because they are manipulating adults.

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References & Medical Sources

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer

This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your baby’s pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional. Colic is a pattern of excessive crying in an otherwise healthy infant, and medical conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Contact your pediatrician for new, unusual, severe, or persistent crying or any concern about feeding, hydration, growth, vomiting, stool, temperature, breathing, behavior, or appearance. If you believe your baby may be experiencing an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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