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All babies cry, and crying is how they tell you they need something. Colic is a pattern of long, hard-to-settle crying in an otherwise healthy baby, usually starting in the first weeks and settling by about 3 to 4 months.
This guide explains normal crying versus colic, what you can try, which signs mean the crying is not just colic, and how to look after yourself when it feels endless.
Normal crying in newborns
Babies cry for many reasons: hunger, a dirty nappy, tiredness, wind, being too hot or cold, or simply needing a cuddle. HealthyChildren.org notes that normal fussiness tends to peak at about 3 hours a day around 6 weeks, then falls to 1 or 2 hours a day by 3 to 4 months. So a baby who cries a lot in the early weeks is often within the normal range.
Before thinking of colic, check the simple things:
- Is the baby hungry? Watch early cues as described in our newborn feeding guide.
- Is the nappy wet or dirty?
- Is the baby too warm or cold?
- Does the baby need to be burped, held or put down to sleep?
What is colic?
The NHS describes colic as a baby crying a lot with no obvious cause. It lists the typical picture: crying for more than 3 hours a day, on 3 or more days a week, for at least a week, in an otherwise healthy baby. MedlinePlus says colic usually starts around 3 weeks, peaks at 4 to 6 weeks, and improves by 3 to 4 months. HealthyChildren.org says it can sometimes last until 6 months.
Other signs the NHS lists include crying that is often worse in the afternoon or evening, a baby who is hard to soothe, clenched fists, a red face, drawing up the knees or arching the back, and a rumbling tummy.
Soothing ideas that may help
No single method works for every baby, so try one at a time and give it a few minutes. The NHS, HealthyChildren.org and MedlinePlus suggest:
- Hold, cuddle or gently rock your baby, or carry them in a baby carrier. Motion and close body contact can be reassuring.
- Use steady sound, such as a fan or soft background noise.
- Try a warm bath.
- Keep your baby upright during feeds and burp them afterwards.
- Offer a pacifier if your baby will take one.
- Take a walk with the baby or a short ride in a pram or car.
- Swaddle in a large, thin blanket while awake. Our guide to safe sleep and routines explains why swaddling must stop once a baby starts to roll.
Tip: When you have tried everything, put your baby on their back in a safe cot and step away for a few minutes to breathe. A crying baby is safe; a parent at breaking point is a worry.
Feeding and colic
- Keep feeding as usual. The NHS says breastfeeding mothers do not need to change their diet.
- HealthyChildren.org suggests avoiding overfeeding and, if breastfeeding, discussing diet changes with your doctor first, changing one thing at a time.
- If you formula-feed, ask your doctor before changing formula.
- A lactation consultant can help with breastfeeding concerns, and our guide to breastfeeding problems may help.
Sources differ on remedies such as over-the-counter colic drops and supplements. The NHS says they are not recommended because there is no evidence they work. Ask your doctor before giving your baby anything. Do not give home or herbal remedies without medical advice.
Myths about crying and colic
- Myth: Colic means you are doing something wrong. Fact: It is common and not caused by poor parenting.
- Myth: A crying baby is always hungry. Fact: Many causes exist, and overfeeding can worsen discomfort.
- Myth: Spinal manipulation or special treatments cure colic. Fact: The NHS warns there is little evidence they help, and they may hurt the baby.
When to be cautious: Never shake a baby, however frustrated you feel. Shaking can cause brain damage, blindness or death. If you are close to losing control, put the baby safely on their back in the cot and leave the room for a few minutes, then ask another adult to take over.
When crying is a warning sign
Colic is a diagnosis made after other causes are ruled out. Call a doctor if crying comes with any of the following. The NHS says to seek urgent care for a weak or high-pitched cry, or a cry that sounds unlike your baby’s normal cry. MedlinePlus and HealthyChildren.org add:
- A fever
- Forceful vomiting
- Diarrhoea or blood in the stools
- A sudden change in the crying pattern
- A baby who is hard to wake, floppy, or refusing feeds
- Poor weight gain
- Crying that still continues after 3 or 4 months
If your baby has a fever or looks very unwell, go to a hospital right away; see our emergency page. Our postnatal and newborn care speciality supports new parents after birth.
Looking after yourself
A baby who cries for hours is exhausting. HealthyChildren.org advises handing the baby to another adult for an hour or two when you feel tense. The NHS lists family, friends and your health worker as sources of support. Tell your doctor if you feel low, anxious or hopeless; this can be a sign of postpartum depression, which is common and treatable.
Colic does pass. Most babies are much calmer by 3 to 4 months, and the crying does not harm them. See also newborn care tips for first-time parents.
Talk to a doctor
If you have questions about your baby’s crying or colic, you are welcome to book an appointment or call +91 944 103 0587. Chaitanya Hospital is in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, and teleconsultation is also available. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor's advice.
References
This article was written in our own words from the following public health sources.
Educational content
Please note. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about your health, or in an emergency, call +91 944 103 0587 or visit the hospital.
