Baby Colic: What Helps and What’s a Myth

Every evening, at the same time. Your baby is fed, has a clean nappy, has been cuddled – and is still crying as if the world is ending. If that sounds familiar, you’ve probably met colic. And you’re not alone – it’s one of the most common reasons parents go to the paediatrician.

Here’s the good news: colic doesn’t harm your baby and it passes on its own. While you wait, there are things that genuinely help – and things that only sound convincing.

The short answer: Colic is crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy baby. The cause isn’t known and there’s no single cure, but it usually passes by around 4 months, by 6 months at the latest. Cuddling, upright feeds, burping and a quiet room often help.

What actually is colic?

Colic is what we call intense, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby who is feeding and gaining weight normally. Doctors often use the “rule of threes” – crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks.

The typical signs:

• the crying usually comes in the late afternoon or evening;
• your baby goes red in the face, pulls their legs up to their tummy or arches their back;
• they’re hard to settle, whatever you do.

The exact cause still isn’t known. That’s why there’s no single “magic” cure. But there’s great news too: according to the NHS, colic usually passes by around 4 months, by 6 months at the latest.

What helps?

There’s no guaranteed recipe, but these things often make evenings easier:

• Cuddling and carrying – in your arms or in a sling, with gentle rocking.
• An upright position during feeds – your baby swallows less air. Burp them after feeding.
• Calming down before a feed, rather than using feeding as a way to calm down – a very hungry, crying baby swallows more air.
• A quiet environment – dim lights, no TV, a steady sound like soft shushing.
• A gentle tummy massage – in circular, clockwise movements.
• A warm bath – for some babies it’s like a little spa day. 🛁

If you’re breastfeeding, there’s no need to cut out foods “just in case” on your own. Any changes to your diet – only after talking to your paediatrician.

Myths that sound good

• Anti-gas drops – reviews of the research don’t find a consistent effect on colic.
• “Gripe water” and herbal teas – the evidence is very weak or missing. And tea takes up room in the tummy that’s meant for milk.
• Switching formula often – rarely solves the problem and can unsettle your baby. If you’re thinking about switching, ask your paediatrician first.
• Remedies inserted into the bottom – the NHS specifically advises against them, because they can cause injury.
• “They’re crying because you’re doing something wrong” – no. Colic is not a verdict on your parenting.

For breastfed babies, certain probiotics (“good” bacteria) have the best data according to scientific reviews – but the effect depends on the specific strain and mostly means somewhat shorter crying. Discuss with your paediatrician whether they’re suitable for your baby.

When to see a doctor

Contact your paediatrician if your baby:

• has a fever, vomits often or very forcefully;
• isn’t feeding well or isn’t gaining weight;
• has blood in their poo or a change in it;
• cries in an unusual way – high-pitched, weak or moaning;
• is still crying like this after 4 months.

Call 112 if your baby turns blue, becomes very pale or blotchy, is struggling to breathe or breathing fast, or is unusually floppy.

And one more thing: if you are finding it hard to cope – that’s a reason to talk to a doctor too. Looking after yourself is part of looking after your baby.

For the dads

The evening shift is your chance. Take the baby, walk laps around the flat, rock, hum. Lots of babies settle to a deeper male voice. And Mum gets at least half an hour to hear her own thoughts.

📖 Read next: Teething: Signs and What Really Helps · Sun and Babies: How to Protect Your Baby in Summer

In short

Colic is a tough but temporary phase. It’s not your fault and you’re not doing anything wrong. Take turns, rest, accept help. One day you’ll realise the evening went by quietly – and you won’t even remember exactly when it happened. You’re doing brilliantly. 💛

Sources: NHS / nidirect – Infantile colic (baby colic); NHS Healthier Together – Colic; BMJ Open (2020) – Comparison of common interventions for the treatment of infantile colic: a systematic review of reviews and guidelines.