Colic is when a healthy, well-fed baby cries a lot for long periods with no obvious cause. The NHS describes it as crying for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least a week; it usually starts in the first weeks and stops by 3 to 4 months.
Key takeaways
- Colic is common and is not caused by anything parents did.
- Crying is often worse in the late afternoon and evening.
- The cause is unknown; it gets better on its own.
What does colic look like?
A baby with colic may cry intensely and be hard to comfort, go red in the face, clench their fists, draw their knees up or arch their back. Between episodes they feed, grow and seem well.
What you can do
- Hold your baby, rock them gently or walk with them in a sling.
- Try steady background noise, a warm bath or a car or pram ride.
- If crying overwhelms you, put your baby down safely in their cot and take a few minutes to calm yourself.
- Ask for help and take turns with another adult.
When to talk to your doctor
See your doctor if you are worried, if nothing helps, if your baby is not gaining weight, or if crying continues after 4 months. Call your local emergency number if your baby's cry is weak or high-pitched, or very different from usual.
Frequently asked questions
Usually not; talk to your doctor before switching, as changes rarely help unless there is an allergy.
Babies with colic often seem gassy, but gas is more likely a result of crying than its cause.