What helps with colic?

What colic is and when it ends

Colic is defined by the rule of threes: crying of 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week, for 3 or more weeks, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and feeding well.

It usually starts between the second and fourth weeks of age, peaks at around 6 weeks, then eases off and stops in most babies by 3 to 4 months. The crying is often worse in the evening. Your baby may pull the legs up or stiffen them, clench the fists, and flush red.

Colic does not mean you are doing anything wrong, and it does not cause lasting harm. It is a phase that ends.

Soothing methods that help

No single method works for every baby, so it helps to have several to try.

Motion and steady sound are the most reliable. Hold or walk your baby in a carrier, rock gently, or lay your baby tummy-down across your knees and rub the back. Swaddle in a thin blanket with room for the legs, and offer a pacifier. Steady white noise from a fan, a vacuum, or a sound machine can settle a crying baby.

• Hold and walk your baby, or use a carrier for motion and contact
• Lay your baby tummy-down across your lap and rub the back
• Swaddle snugly with room for the hips and legs to bend
• Play steady white noise
• Offer a pacifier
• Lower the lights and reduce stimulation
• Take a break and hand off to another caregiver when you feel overwhelmed

What does not reliably work

Gripe water and gas drops with simethicone have not been shown to work better than a placebo. The evidence does not support them, so they are not a dependable fix even though they are widely sold.

The common idea that trapped gas causes the crying is largely a myth. Burping and gas relief do not reliably stop a colic episode. Avoid overfeeding, which can add to discomfort.

Talk to your pediatrician before trying any supplement, formula change, or remedy, especially anything given by mouth.

When crying means call the doctor

You do not have to wait out the full 3 weeks before seeking help. See your pediatrician to rule out other causes, and call sooner if anything seems off.

For any baby 3 months or younger, a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher means call right away. Other warning signs include vomiting, blood in the stool, poor feeding or poor weight gain, and a baby who is limp, hard to wake, or not alert.

Crying that suddenly changes in pitch, or a baby who seems to be in pain rather than just fussy, also warrants a call.

Related questions

When does colic peak and stop?

Colic usually begins in the second to fourth week of life, peaks at around 6 weeks of age, then steadily improves and stops in most babies by 3 to 4 months. The crying is often heaviest in the evening. If your baby's intense crying continues well past 4 months, talk to your pediatrician.

Does gripe water work for colic?

No, not in a way that research supports. Gripe water and gas drops containing simethicone have not been shown to work better than a placebo for colic. They are widely sold but not a dependable remedy. Steady motion, white noise, swaddling, and a pacifier are more reliable. Check with your pediatrician before giving any oral product to a newborn.

How do I know if it is colic or something serious?

Colic is intense crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy, feeding well, and gaining weight. Signs that point to something else and need a call include a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in a baby under 3 months, vomiting, blood in the stool, poor feeding, or a baby who is limp or hard to wake. When in doubt, contact your pediatrician.

Sources & further reading

1. HealthyChildren.org (AAP) — Colic
2. Mayo Clinic — Colic: Symptoms and Causes
3. Mayo Clinic — Colic: Diagnosis and Treatment

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.