If you’ve been pacing the floor with a crying baby who seems impossible to soothe, you’re not alone. Colic is one of the most challenging experiences for new parents. It can leave you feeling helpless, exhausted, and even question if you’re doing something wrong — you’re not.
Colic is common, temporary, and, with the right strategies, manageable. This guide will help you understand what colic is, how to recognize the signs, and what you can do to comfort your baby and care for yourself in the process.
What Is Colic?
Colic is defined as excessive, unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy baby.
The classic rule of threes:
- Crying lasts more than 3 hours a day
- Happens at least 3 days a week
- Persists for 3 weeks or longer
Colic usually begins around 2 to 3 weeks of age and tends to improve by 3 to 4 months, although some babies take longer to outgrow it.
What Causes Colic?
The exact cause of colic is unknown, but several theories may explain why it happens.
Possible causes include:
- An immature digestive system, leading to gas or discomfort
- Overstimulation from the environment
- A developing nervous system that reacts strongly to stimuli
- Sensitivity to milk proteins or formula ingredients
- Early signs of reflux or food sensitivities
- Emotional tension in the home, which babies can pick up on
Colic is not caused by bad parenting, spoiling, or a lack of love. Even babies in calm, loving homes can have colic.
How to Tell If It’s Colic
Colic is different from regular fussiness. The crying tends to be intense, high-pitched, and occurs at the same time each day — often in the late afternoon or evening.
Signs of colic:
- Intense, prolonged crying spells that seem to come from nowhere
- Baby arches their back or clenches fists while crying
- Red or flushed face
- Difficulty calming down, even after feeding or changing
- Baby passes gas or appears to have a hard belly
Always check for other causes of crying — such as hunger, dirty diaper, illness, or temperature discomfort — before assuming it’s colic.
How to Soothe a Baby With Colic
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for colic, but a combination of techniques can help calm your baby and reduce your stress.
1. Create a Calm Environment
Babies with colic can be extra sensitive to noise, lights, and overstimulation.
- Dim the lights
- Lower the noise or use gentle white noise
- Rock or sway gently
- Speak in a soft, calming voice
Keep the environment quiet and predictable during colicky periods.
2. Use Soothing Motions
Motion mimics the sensations of the womb and can help settle a colicky baby.
- Rock in a chair or sway while standing
- Walk with your baby in a carrier
- Use a baby swing or vibrating seat (always supervised)
- Take a short car ride
Find the motion your baby responds to best — and repeat it consistently.
3. Try the “Colic Hold”
This position puts gentle pressure on your baby’s tummy and can relieve gas or cramps.
- Hold baby face-down along your forearm, with their head at your elbow and legs near your hand
- Support them securely and gently pat or rub their back
You can also lay them belly-down across your knees and rub their back slowly.
4. Offer a Pacifier
Some babies are soothed by sucking even when they’re not hungry.
- Try offering a pacifier during fussy periods
- If breastfeeding, wait until feeding is well established (around 3–4 weeks) before introducing
This simple tool can provide great relief — for both baby and parent.
5. Check for Feeding Issues
Feeding problems can contribute to colic-like symptoms.
- If breastfeeding, review latch and position
- If bottle-feeding, try anti-colic bottles that reduce air intake
- Burp your baby often during and after feedings
- Keep baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeding
Sometimes, a change in feeding technique or formula (under pediatric guidance) can make a difference.
6. Use Gentle Tummy Relief
Relieving gas can ease discomfort and reduce crying.
- Gently bicycle baby’s legs
- Give a warm bath
- Try a warm compress on the tummy (test temperature first)
- Ask your pediatrician about simethicone drops for gas (if appropriate)
These small steps can help relax your baby’s body and reduce internal pressure.
7. Try Infant Massage
A gentle belly massage may soothe a gassy or colicky baby.
- Use slow, clockwise circular motions on the tummy
- Massage baby’s legs, back, and feet with baby-safe lotion
- Make it part of a calming bedtime routine
Touch builds connection and helps your baby feel secure.
Taking Care of Yourself
Caring for a colicky baby can be emotionally exhausting. You may feel guilty, frustrated, or overwhelmed — all completely normal.
Tips for your own well-being:
- Take breaks: Put baby in a safe place and step away for a few minutes
- Ask for help from a partner, friend, or family member
- Sleep when you can — even a short nap helps
- Talk to other parents or join a support group
- Remind yourself: this is a phase, and it will pass
A calm caregiver helps a baby feel safe — so prioritizing your mental health is not selfish. It’s necessary.
When to Call the Pediatrician
If your baby cries excessively, it’s important to rule out any medical issues.
Call your doctor if:
- Baby has a fever or diarrhea
- Crying is accompanied by vomiting, rash, or lethargy
- Baby refuses to feed or isn’t gaining weight
- Crying seems painful or sudden
- You feel overwhelmed or suspect postpartum depression
Your pediatrician can help confirm if it’s colic and offer support or referrals if needed.
What Not to Do
During colic episodes, some reactions may feel instinctive but aren’t helpful — or safe.
Avoid:
- Shaking your baby — it’s extremely dangerous and can cause brain injury
- Overfeeding in an attempt to calm crying
- Ignoring your own needs completely
- Comparing your baby to others — each baby is different
Stay focused on what you can do — not what you can’t control.
Final Thoughts
Colic is one of the hardest parts of early parenthood — but it doesn’t last forever. With time, love, and a toolkit of calming strategies, you’ll get through it, even if the days feel long and the nights longer.
Remember, you’re not failing. You’re learning. And your baby is lucky to have you by their side through it all.
Be kind to yourself. The quiet moments will come — and they’ll be all the sweeter for everything you’ve overcome. 💛
