You bring your newborn home, and for weeks you marvel at your baby who does little more than sleep, eat, and gaze up at you. Oh, he cries too — to let you know he's hungry or overtired or uncomfortable.

But one day a couple of weeks later, your baby erupts in prolonged, ear-shattering wails, complete with clenched fists, flailing legs, and an unhappy red face.

No matter what you try, you can't comfort your crying baby. When these crying spells repeat night after night, you may be facing one of early parenthood's biggest challenges: colic.

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Key Takeaways
  • Colic is common — and temporary. Colic affects about 1 in 5 infants. It usually begins around 2 to 3 weeks of age, peaks at 6 weeks, and resolves by 3 months. Though it can be distressing, it's not harmful and doesn't reflect anything parents did wrong.
  • The "rules of three" help identify colic. Doctors typically diagnose colic when a healthy baby cries for at least three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks in a row — often at the same time each day and without an obvious cause.
  • Comfort measures can help both baby and parents. While there's no cure for colic, soothing strategies — like swaddling, gentle rocking, white noise, or tummy pressure — may ease discomfort. Parents also need to care for themselves by taking breaks, seeking support, and remembering that this challenging phase will pass.

What is colic?

Colic isn't a disease or diagnosis but a catch-all term for excessive crying in otherwise healthy babies.

All babies cry. It's the only way for them to communicate their needs at this tender age. And as caregivers, we're biologically programmed to respond to meet those needs. But in babies with colic, the crying starts suddenly for no apparent reason.

These fussy periods can go on for hours at a time, sometimes late into the night. Worst of all, try as you might — and try you will — it's extremely difficult to calm a colicky baby, which only compounds your own frustration, worry, and exhaustion.

If your baby has colic, you're not alone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about 1 in 5 infants gets colic. Unfortunately, there's no dependable solution besides the passing of time.

"I had never experienced a child with colic," says What to Expect Community mom vb2021 about her fourth child, "and let me just say IT. IS. HARD."

Colic symptoms

How do you know for sure if your baby's colicky? Doctors usually diagnose infant colic based on the "rules of three." Your baby may have colic if they're crying:

  • At least three hours a day
  • At least three days a week
  • For at least three weeks in a row

Here are some other signs that you're dealing with colic:

  • Crying often occurs at around the same time every day (usually in the late afternoon or early evening, but not always).
  • There seems to be no reason for your baby's crying (he doesn't have a dirty diaper and isn't hungry or tired), and he's often inconsolable.
  • Your baby may pull up his legs and clench his fists when crying.
  • Bowel activity may increase, and your baby may pass gas or spit up.
  • Your baby may close his eyes or open them very wide, furrow his brow, and even hold his breath briefly during crying episodes.
  • Eating and sleeping are disrupted by the crying. Your baby frantically seeks a nipple only to reject it once sucking has begun, or he dozes for a few moments only to wake up screaming.

What's the difference between colic and normal crying?

In addition to the criteria above, doctors typically agree that colic crying is louder, more intense, and higher-pitched than normal crying — sometimes almost like screaming.

"Although a bout of colic can be frightening to watch — especially for first-time parents — it isn't harmful to your baby's health," notes the Cleveland Clinic.

When does colic start and end?

The good news is that colic doesn't last forever. Most bouts start when baby is about 2 to 3 weeks old (later in premature infants), peak at around 6 weeks, and then typically begin to taper off by 10 to 12 weeks. For some babies, though, colic can last until 6 months, according to the AAP.

By 3 months (a little later in preterm babies), most colicky infants seem to be miraculously cured. The colic may stop suddenly — or end gradually, with some good days and some bad days until most of them are good and it's clear the stage has passed.

For What to Expect Community mom ebrain, her baby's colic "started around 2 weeks." She "noticed improvement at 11 weeks," and it was "mostly gone by 13 weeks."

In the meantime, a little knowledge and a lot of patience will help you survive until the storm subsides.

"All I can say is wait it out," says What to Expect Community member sbrowe, who had a very colicky, miserable baby. "If he was awake, he was screaming. He really turned a corner around 10 weeks and things got a lot better. And now I can confidently say the newborn phase was not for me, and it certainly wasn't for him. And that's okay! You will get the opportunity to bond and create happy baby memories. I promise."

Get more expert tips for how to soothe a crying baby, track your little one's feedings and sleep, and connect with other parents going through the same thing in the What to Expect app.

What causes colic in babies?

While the exact cause of colic is a mystery, experts do know that it's not the result of genetics or anything that happened during pregnancy or childbirth.

Here are some theories on possible causes of colicky crying, including some medical issues that can cause a baby to cry inconsolably:

Overstimulated senses/immature nervous system

Newborns have a built-in mechanism for tuning out sights and sounds around them, which allows them to sleep and eat without being disturbed by their environment. Near the end of the first month, however, this mechanism disappears — leaving babies more sensitive to the stimuli in their surroundings.

With so many new sensations coming at them, some infants become overwhelmed, often at the end of the day. To release that stress, they cry (and cry and cry).

Colic ends, the theory goes, when baby learns how to filter out some environmental stimuli and, in doing so, avoids a sensory overload.

An immature digestive system

Digesting food is a big task for a baby's brand-new gastrointestinal system. As a result, food may pass through too quickly and not break down completely, resulting in pain from gas in the intestines.

Infant acid reflux

Research has found that infant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can trigger crying episodes in colicky babies.

Infant GERD is often the result of an underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps stomach acid from flowing back up into the throat and mouth, which can irritate the esophagus.

Symptoms include frequent spitting up, poor eating, and irritability during and after feedings. The good news is that most babies outgrow GERD by age 1 (and colic usually goes away long before then).

Food allergies or sensitivity

An allergy to cow's milk (or lactose intolerance) in formula-fed babies can cause tummy pain that may set off crying episodes. Less often, a breastfed baby may react with colicky behavior in response to specific foods in Mom's diet.

Tobacco exposure

Several studies show that moms who smoke during or after pregnancy are more likely to have babies with colic, and secondhand smoke may also be a culprit.

Though the link exists, it's unclear how cigarette smoke might be related to colic. The bottom line for many significant health reasons: Don't smoke or let anyone else smoke around your baby.

Gripe water and colic

In the category of "little evidence, lots of anecdotes" is gripe water, touted as an herbal remedy for everything from baby gas to colic.

Some parents swear by gripe water as a way to calm a colicky baby, but no reliable studies have shown its effectiveness in relieving symptoms. And because it's not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), gripe water can also be a wild card in terms of what's actually in it and in what quantities.

Always check with your pediatrician before giving your baby gripe water or any other treatment marketed as baby colic drops.

How to soothe colic in babies

In addition to frustration and exhaustion, you may have feelings of inadequacy and guilt as you try in vain to soothe your fussy baby. Staying calm is easier said than done, but these strategies may help ease the strain until colic passes.

If you suspect overstimulation:

  • Respond: Crying is a baby's only way of communicating his needs and wielding some control over a vast and bewildering new environment: He cries, you come running to his side — powerful stuff when you're otherwise completely powerless. Show your baby he can depend on you by answering his cries. An added benefit: Studies show that responding promptly to your baby's cries will reduce his crying in the long run.
  • Limit outside stimulation and excitement: Keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid exposing your baby to new experiences in stimulating environments, particularly in the late afternoon and early evening. Watch how your baby responds to certain stimuli — and steer clear of any that seem to offend.
  • Create calm: A peaceful environment might help your baby relax. Dim the lights, speak or sing in soothing tones (or don't speak at all), and keep other noise and distractions to a minimum.

If you suspect gastrointestinal issues:

  • Apply pressure to your baby's tummy: Some colicky babies find relief when pressure is placed on their abdomen. Place your infant face-down on your lap or upright with his tummy against your shoulder. Or try the "colic carry," with your little one face-down with his belly resting along your arm. Then gently rub or pat his back as you hold him.
  • Try burping your baby: If your baby's inconsolable fussiness is due to gas, sometimes burping him will help relieve the pain. Make sure you're burping your baby effectively.
  • Ask about gas relief drops: Studies show that reducing gas may ease discomfort (and crying). Ask your pediatrician about trying drops made with simethicone, which works by breaking up gas bubbles. Though research hasn't yet shown that this treatment helps with colic, it's worth exploring different brands to see if you can find one that helps decrease your baby's gas, suggests Lauren Crosby, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician with La Peer Pediatrics in Beverly Hills, California, and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.
  • Consider probiotics: Probiotic drops may potentially curb crying in some colicky babies, probably because they ease tummy troubles (probiotic bacteria grow naturally in the digestive tract and help promote intestinal health). Again, research is very limited, but it may be worth a try. Check with your pediatrician to see if you should give it a go. "I do find that probiotic drops can ease colic, so I do recommend those," says Dr. Crosby.
  • Watch what you eat: If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether you should temporarily eliminate any foods from your diet that may cause tummy troubles for your baby, such as gas-causing cruciferous veggies (cabbage, cauliflower, and others), acidic citrus fruits, or allergenic foods (dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish).
  • Ask about switching formulas: A food allergy can cause symptoms that look similar to colic symptoms, says Dr. Crosby. For some formula-fed infants, swapping a standard variety formula for one designed for sensitive tummies or one that doesn't contain cow's milk can make a difference. Ask your doctor for guidance before making a formula switch.

Other calming remedies for colicky babies:

  • Get close: Not only does cuddling or carrying your baby provide the pleasure of security and physical closeness to you (and after 9 months of constant closeness, that may be just what baby's crying for), but it may help you tune in better to his needs. Worried that holding your baby too much will make him spoiled or clingy? Set those fears aside. You can't spoil a newborn — so if holding him seems to soothe him, cuddle away.
  • Swaddle: Toss a blanket in the dryer and while it's still warm, wrap it snugly around your little one. The combination of warmth and the feeling of security may help dry baby's tears. Or take it a step further and swaddle your baby securely. "I look for that first yawn and eyes closing," says What to Expect Community mom Francesca927. "I swaddle [and] in a few minutes it helps calm her."
  • Try white noise: The hum of the vacuum cleaner or dryer or the whir of a fan can be comforting to babies (it reminds them of the womb). A white noise machine can also help.
  • Play soothing music: Your crying baby might also respond to the quiet singing of a lullaby or softly playing classical music. Or he may enjoy the sounds of nature. Repeating "shh" or "ahh" to your little one can also help. Experiment to find a sound your baby seems to like.
  • Get in motion: Newborns find gentle movement comforting, since it feels like what they experienced in the womb. Try swinging or rocking. Some of Dr. Crosby's patients find gently bouncing on a stability ball effective. What to Expect Community member JuneBaby2024x agrees. "It's the only thing that gets my daughter to settle and has consistently for months." An added benefit: a little productive exercise as you work to maintain your posture and core, Dr. Crosby points out.
  • Offer a pacifier: Some colicky babies want to suck all the time, not because they're hungry but to self soothe. If you're sure your baby is getting plenty to eat but still wants to suck, try offering him a pacifier.
  • Get out of the house: Just stepping outside with your baby may magically change his mood. Try putting your baby in a carrier and taking a walk. Dr. Crosby found stroller rides and a car rides helpful for her son.

Remember: Don't make any major changes in your diet or your baby's diet or give your baby any medication (herbal or other) without talking to your pediatrician. Also talk to them for additional tips and possible causes of your baby's colic.

Tips for parents coping with colic

Though it can safely be said that even hours and hours of daily crying doesn't seem to hurt a baby long term, it certainly takes a physical and emotional toll on parents. Listening to a baby's screams can be heartbreaking, upsetting, and anxiety-provoking. Sometimes you'll both end up crying — and that's okay.

To cope with colicky crying that just won't quit, try the following:

  • Break it up: A fresh set of arms sometimes calms a crying baby. If there are two parents at home during baby's witching hours, divide colic duty equally between the two of you (an hour on, an hour off, a night on, a night off, or whatever arrangement works best).
  • Take a break: It's important to respond to crying, which is an infant's only way to communicate. But every once in a while, taking a 10- to 15-minute break during a particularly trying crying marathon won't hurt.
  • Tune out a little: Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Or put on headsets to listen to music to lessen the effect of your baby's cries. Don't tune out your baby so much that you can't hear him at all or for long periods of time. But it's fine to dim the bouts of wailing for a little while.
  • Talk about it: Do a little crying yourself on a willing shoulder — your spouse's, the pediatrician's, a family member's, a friend's. Just knowing you're not alone in the world of inconsolable babies can make a world of difference.
  • Get help: If you're at the end of your rope, don't hesitate to ask for help — whether from your partner, mother, friend, or babysitter. And if you find that you're consistently feeling overwhelmed or are having trouble coping, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. You'll not only feel better — parental counseling has actually been shown to reduce infant crying. "Accept help and ask for it," advises What to Expect Community mom kb8931. "Don't feel bad; colic babies are next-level, and an hour away honestly does a world of good."

When to call the doctor about colic

If your baby is crying excessively, check in with the pediatrician. They can help determine if there's an underlying medical issue (like reflux or a milk allergy) and confirm that colic is what you're dealing with.

And, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), call the pediatrician right away if your infant:

Remind yourself often that colic is temporary. There will come a day when the crying will let up. As wiped-out as you may be at that point, you deserve to celebrate. You'll have survived a major parenthood challenge.