Colic in babies

What is colic?

Colic is a term that used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) does not actually use the word colic anymore. Instead, CPS says that crying is part of normal development for a newborn baby. Some babies cry for longer periods and harder than others. Regardless of the definition, comforting a crying baby may be very difficult and at times you may feel helpless.

Listening to your baby’s crying may be enough to make you cry! But you are not doing anything wrong, and your baby usually won’t be crying for any particular reason. It is common for newborn babies to cry like this. Crying often peaks between three weeks to eight weeks of age, and is usually over by the time your baby is three or four months old (Caring for Kids 2016).

It’s normal for a newborn baby to cry for about two hours a day. If your baby is under three months and cries for no apparent reason for more than three hours a day, three days per week, that’s generally thought to be colic (Turner TL, Palamountain S. 2019).

How can I tell if my baby has colic?

You may notice that your newborn does the following:

• they have frequent bouts of intense and inconsolable crying
• the crying has a clear beginning and end, and seems to happen suddenly for no reason
• they pull their legs up to their tummy and arch their back when crying
• they may have a lot of gas, pass gas when crying, and may stop crying after passing gas or pooping
• they are impossible to soothe, no matter what you do to console them
  (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019, NHS 2018)

If your baby has colic, you may find they cry more in the late afternoon and evening, although colicky babies can cry during the day and at night, too (NHS 2018). You may find feeding your baby takes longer than usual if they're upset and restless.

Why does my baby cry like this?

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes some babies to cry more than others (Turner TL, Palamountain S. 2019).

One theory is that babies cry hard for a few weeks as their digestive systems are maturing. They may have frequent and painful tummy aches due to an allergy or intolerance to certain substances in breast and formula milk. However, there’s no strong evidence that the crying is caused by any of these things (Caring for Kids 2016).

Experts have suggested other possible causes:

• Temperament. Some babies have a more sensitive temperament than others, and crying is a physical release for them.
• GERD. A baby may be colicky because of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux. Visit the doctor if your baby shows signs of this.
• Gut bacteria. Some studies appears to show excessive crying may be related to an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the intestines.
• Higher serotonin levels. Research suggests some babies that cry a lot produce more serotonin, a chemical that helps the brain communicate with the body and also causes intestinal muscles to contract.
• Early migraine. Some studies suggest colic may be linked to migraines later in childhood. But it could also be that babies with colic are simply more likely to get childhood migraines because of the genes they’ve inherited.
  (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2018)

Should I take my baby to the doctor?

Generally no – apart from the stress it creates for you and your partner, your baby’s crying is not usually a sign of illness. However, sometimes excessive crying is a sign of something more serious. You should call your doctor if your baby:

• doesn't eat or sleep
• has a fever
• is throwing up, has diarrhea or blood in their poop
• has hurt themselves whilst crying
• continues to cry a lot for more than three months
  (Caring for Kids 2016)

Also, call your doctor if you’re worried that your baby’s crying is too much for you to cope with, and that you might hurt your baby. Your doctor will be able to reassure you and give you tips to comfort your baby and stay calm.

How can I soothe my baby’s crying?

First, make sure your baby isn’t crying for an obvious reason such as hunger, a dirty diaper, being too hot or cold, or unwell.

Identifying what might have caused your baby’s tears may help you decide how to soothe them. Here are some suggestions of what may help:

• If you’re breastfeeding, and you think your baby may have an allergy or intolerance to something you’ve eaten or drunk, talk to your doctor. They may recommend changing your diet to see if you notice your baby crying less. Some women find that a diet low in allergens, such as dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, wheat and shellfish, can help reduce their baby’s crying (MedScape 2017). But don’t stop breastfeeding to formula feed. There’s no evidence that switching to formula helps with excessive crying (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019).
• If your baby is formula-fed they may have a milk allergy (NHS 2018). Your doctor can prescribe a hypoallergenic formula.
• If you’re breastfeeding your baby, try to keep them as upright as possible during their feeds to reduce trapped air (NHS 2018). Also check that they are latched on properly. Have a look at the pictures in our how to breastfeed article, and ask your midwife or a lactation consultant for help.
• If your baby’s bottle-fed, make sure they aren't swallowing air from the bottle. Try to sit them upright to feed them, and tilt the bottle enough so that the milk covers the entrance to the nipple. Special (anti-colic) nipples and bottles designed to reduce the amount of air swallowed, may also help (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019).
• Some studies have shown probiotics (specifically L reuteri) help reduce colic in breastfed babies. More studies are needed to find out if it works for formula-fed babies too. Before giving any probiotics to your baby, speak to your doctor first (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019).
• Hold your baby close to you (NHS 2018) or, if they're less than a month old, wrap them snugly in a blanket (swaddling).
• Give your baby a warm bath. A calming bath might distract and relax them. Some babies are soothed by the spray of a handheld nozzle on their back. Your baby may also enjoy the rhythmic pulsing of the warm water (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019).
• Some experts believe that over-stimulating a baby can make the crying worse, so keep the room quiet and dark. And if you don’t feel that holding them is helping, try putting them in their crib or bassinet for a few minutes.
• Your baby may cry less if they are kept in motion. Carry your baby in a sling, rock them in a swing, or push them around in their stroller (NHS 2018).
• Your baby may settle when you expose them to repetitive noise or vibrations. You could catch up on the vacuuming or take them for a car ride. Some babies are soothed by the steady rhythm of the washing machine. Never put your baby on top of a washing machine or tumble dryer. Always put them in a safe place on the floor, at a good distance away from it (NHS 2018).
• Your baby may calm down if they suck on a soother or their fingers, or if you massage them gently.
• Burp your baby after every feed. Hold them over your shoulder, sit them upright on your lap, or place them face down on your lap. Then pat or rub their back to bring up trapped air (NHS 2018).
• If they have a severe case of gas, your midwife or doctor may suggest an anti-gas medication. However, there isn’t any evidence that this treatment works.

Don’t smoke around your baby – or better still, give up completely. As well as the possibility of cigarette smoke causing the crying, it’s bad for your and your baby’s health.

Be cautious about giving any herbal remedies, such as chamomile, fennel seed and balm-mint to your baby. And avoid gripe water (a mixture of herbs and water) and a homeopathic remedy, called colocynthis, which contain dangerous ingredients (Turner TL, Palamountain S 2019).

I’m feeling overwhelmed by my baby’s crying. What can I do?

If your baby is crying a lot and can't be soothed easily, you’re bound to feel exhausted. The intensity of the crying can cause immense stress for you and your partner. But if you’re anxious you may find it hard to soothe your baby.

If you start to feel tense, put your baby down for a while so that you can calm yourself. Taking a break will help you both. You can take your baby for a walk so both of you can get some fresh air. Better still, ask your partner or a friend to babysit for a short while. Have a long bath or lie down in a quiet room. Even just an hour away will give you the energy to go back to your baby.

Never shake your baby. Call the doctor immediately if you fear you or another caregiver may hurt your baby (Caring for Kids 2016).

Keep reminding yourself that your baby’s crying is not your fault, and that they won’t hurt himself. This is a phase that will pass, just give it time. Read our articles on coping with intense crying and how to soothe a crying baby for more tips.