Quick read
Key points
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Colic refers to frequent, prolonged, and intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby, typically starting in the first few weeks of life and often easing by 3 to 4 months. It's usually defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, often worse in the evenings.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Your baby isn't feeding well, gaining weight, or has other symptoms alongside the crying
01 · Know
What is Colic in Babies?
Colic refers to frequent, prolonged, and intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby, typically starting in the first few weeks of life and often easing by 3 to 4 months. It's usually defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, often worse in the evenings.
The exact cause isn't fully understood and is likely different for different babies, possibly involving an immature digestive system, trapped wind, or sensitivity to overstimulation. It's exhausting and distressing for parents, but colic doesn't cause any lasting harm to the baby.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
It's not caused by anything you're doing wrong
Colic happens in babies regardless of how they're fed or cared for — it is not a sign of poor parenting, and there's nothing you could have done to prevent it.
03 · Act
When to See a Doctor
- 1Your baby isn't feeding well, gaining weight, or has other symptoms alongside the crying
- 2Crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, or blood in stools
- 3You're finding it hard to cope — this is a completely valid reason to seek support
- 4You just want reassurance that what you're seeing is typical colic
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take Care of Your Own Wellbeing Too
Caring for a colicky baby is genuinely exhausting. If you ever feel overwhelmed, it's important to put your baby down safely in their cot and take a moment for yourself, and to reach out for support.
- 1Try different holding and rocking positions.Gentle motion, upright holding, or a warm bath sometimes helps soothe a crying baby.
- 2Use white noise or gentle sounds.Some babies settle with the sound of a vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, or white noise machine.
- 3Try winding your baby regularly.Burping during and after feeds can sometimes ease trapped wind.
- 4Take breaks and accept help.Ask a partner, family member, or friend to take over for a while so you can rest.
- 5Remember it's temporary.Colic typically improves significantly by 3 to 4 months of age.
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Colic is common, exhausting, and completely without lasting harm to your baby — and it does pass.
If you're struggling to cope, reaching out to your public health nurse, GP, or a support line is a sign of strength, not failure.