Colic means your otherwise healthy baby cries excessively for no apparent reason. Healthcare providers define colic as intense crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for more than three weeks. Often, there’s nothing you can do to relieve your crying baby.
All babies cry — it’s the way they communicate their needs. But a colicky baby is inconsolable and screams without any obvious cause. The crying usually starts suddenly at about the same time every day, often in the afternoon or evening hours. However, when your baby isn’t crying, they act completely normal.
While colic in babies is harmless and passes quickly, the condition can be frustrating for parents. Managing a baby’s colic only adds to the stress and fatigue of new parenthood. Researchers have linked the condition to postpartum depression and shaken baby syndrome. Therefore, if your baby has colic, it’s important to reach out for help if you need it.
What are the signs of colic?
Colicky babies are healthy infants who have repeated periods of inconsolable crying — without apparent reason. These crying episodes last for hours without stopping. Symptoms of colic in babies can vary. Colicky babies usually get fussy at the end of the day, but crying can happen at any time. Your baby can be difficult to comfort during these stretches of time. There’s no link between these periods of fussiness and hunger or discomfort. Although your baby is fussy and cries, they continue to eat well and gain weight.
Colic symptoms may include:
Clenched fists.
Legs curled up over their tummy.
Arched back.
A hard, swollen abdomen.
Passing of gas.
Active grimacing or a “painful” look on their face.
Face turning bright red or a deeper shade after long periods of crying.
What causes colic in babies?
Researchers don’t know the exact reason babies get colic. There are, however, several factors that may play a role, including:
Abdominal pain or discomfort from gas (air swallowed while nursing or crying).
Colic can take a toll on new and old parents alike. The overwhelming stress that colic can place on caregivers can lead to postpartum depression and shaken baby syndrome.
No matter how impatient or angry you become, you should never shake your baby. Shaking an infant can cause blindness, brain damage or even death. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re having feelings of depression or having trouble dealing with your emotions, as they can recommend ways to help.
If your baby has colic and you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend, family member or healthcare provider for help.
How is colic treated?
There’s no cure, but there are steps you can take to help soothe a colicky baby. You may try the following baby colic treatments.
Feeding your baby
If you’re breastfeeding (chestfeeding) your baby, keep track of all the foods and drinks you consume (food journal). You pass on everything you eat to your baby, and it can affect them. You may have to eliminate milk products, caffeine, chocolate, nuts, onions, cabbage and any other potentially irritating foods from your diet. Ask your healthcare provider if there are any medications you should avoid.
If you’re feeding your baby formula, you may want to try a different brand. Infants can be sensitive to certain proteins in formulas. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician about switching to a specific kind of formula. If food sensitivity is causing the discomfort, the colic should decrease within a few days of these changes. You can also try feeding your baby smaller meals more often. But avoid feeding your baby too quickly or too much.
Rocking, either in a rocking chair or in your arms as you sway from side to side.
Gently stroking your baby’s head or patting their back or chest.
Swaddling (wrapping them snugly in a receiving blanket).
Singing or talking.
Playing soft music.
Walking them in your arms or a stroller.
Riding in the car. (Be sure to properly secure your baby in their car safety seat.)
Rhythmic noise and vibration.
Burping them to relieve any trapped gas bubbles.
Warm baths. (Most babies like this, but not all.)
Decreased stimulation. (Use quiet voices and turn off electronics such as televisions and phones.)
White noise, vibration and motion can be soothing.
Introduce a pacifier. While some breastfed babies will actively refuse it, it can provide instant relief for others.
Give your baby simethicone gas drops or a natural remedy such as Colic Calm®. These over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can help relieve gas.
How do I know if my baby has colic?
You can usually diagnose colic based on the pattern of symptoms. It’ll help if you keep a record of:
When your baby’s crying spells occur.
When your baby sleeps.
What your baby eats and how often.
Your baby’s pattern of bowel movements.
Your baby’s healthcare provider may perform a physical exam to rule out a physical condition — such as esophageal reflux, an infection or an allergy — as the cause of your baby’s fussiness.
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