Patient education: Colic (The Basics)

What is colic? — Colic is the term doctors use when babies cry much more than usual for no obvious reason during their first 3 months of life.

It is normal for babies to cry up to 2 hours a day. Babies with colic usually cry more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week. Bouts of colic usually start suddenly and happen in the evening.

Colic usually goes away on its own when a baby is 3 or 4 months old.

What else besides colic can make a baby cry more than usual? — Babies can cry more than usual when they are hurt, sick, hungry, too hot or cold, or too tired. Babies can also cry more than usual if they are allergic to their formula or to foods in breast milk. (If you are breastfeeding, the food you eat is passed to your baby through your breast milk.)

How is colic different from normal crying? — Colic is different because:

●The crying in colic is louder and more high-pitched – Babies often sound as if they are screaming or in pain.

●Parents and caregivers are often not able to comfort or soothe the baby during a bout of colic

●A baby can have a hard belly, stiff arms, or arched back during a bout of colic

Is there a test for colic? — No. There is no test. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your baby has it by talking with you and doing an exam on your baby.

What can I do to stop my baby's crying? — Doctors and nurses recommend trying different things to help stop your baby's crying (table 1). For example, you can:

●Use a bottle that keeps your baby from swallowing too much air

●Have your baby sit up during feedings

●Carry your baby more in your arms, a sling, or a front carrier

●Take your baby for a ride in the car

●Give your baby a warm bath

●Put your baby in a baby swing

●Swaddle your baby (figure 1)

●Put your baby near a clothes dryer or other source of background noise

●Massage your baby's belly

●Change your baby's formula or avoid eating certain foods if you breastfeed – Before trying these, be sure to talk with your doctor or nurse.

When should I call my doctor or nurse? — Call your doctor or nurse as soon as possible during the day or night if:

●Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever – To see if your baby has a fever, take their temperature. The most accurate way to take a baby's temperature is to take a rectal temperature (figure 2). If your baby's rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, then they have a fever.

●Your baby cries for longer than 2 hours without stopping

●Your baby refuses to eat or drink, is vomiting, or has bloody bowel movements

●Your baby is not responding to you or acting normally

●You are afraid that you might have hurt your baby – Shaking, hitting, or hurting a baby can cause serious damage. If you think you might have hurt your baby, even without meaning to, call for help.

Call your doctor or nurse during regular office hours if:

●You are worried about your baby's crying or don't know how to handle it

●Your baby spits up a lot after feedings, has diarrhea, or has trouble having bowel movements – These symptoms could mean that your baby is allergic to the formula or to certain foods.

●Your baby is older than 4 months and still having colic

●Your baby is not gaining weight normally

What if I am overwhelmed? — Having a baby with colic can be exhausting, stressful, and frustrating. Try to remember that your baby's colic is not your fault, and that colic almost always goes away within a few months.

If possible, take turns with your partner or another caregiver so you both get breaks from the baby's crying. It's also OK to put your baby in a crib, bassinet, or other safe place for a few minutes while you take a break. Try to call a friend or relative if you need help. In the US, there is also a parent help line (1-800-422-4453) that you can call any time.

If you need a break, be sure to take one so that you don't hurt your baby. Shaking, hitting, or hurting a baby can cause serious brain problems, or even death.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are having a very hard time or need more support. In some cases, it can help to talk with a counselor who is trained on ways to handle colic.

More on this topic

Patient education: Fever in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Spitting up and gastroesophageal reflux disease in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Food allergy (The Basics)
Patient education: Poor weight gain in babies and children (The Basics)

Patient education: Colic (excessive crying) in infants (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Fever in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux) in infants (Beyond the Basics)