Baby Colic: Symptoms, Causes and How to Help Your Baby

6 min read

Quick answer: Colic is crying for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week in an otherwise healthy baby. It usually starts in the first few weeks and settles by 3–4 months. Winding, rocking and white noise help. Weak, high-pitched or unusual cry, blood in vomit, or 38°C or more under 3 months (39°C or more at 3–6 months): call 999 or go to A&E. Poor feeding or blood in poo: call 111 urgently.

What parents need to know

If your baby cries inconsolably for hours at a time, often in the evenings, and nothing seems to help, colic might be the explanation. It's one of the most stressful experiences new parents face, but it's temporary.

What is colic?

Colic is generally defined as crying for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week in an otherwise healthy baby. It typically starts in the first few weeks of life and resolves by 3–4 months of age, though for some babies it can last a little longer.

Around 1 in 5 babies in the UK experience colic. It affects breastfed and formula-fed babies equally, and has nothing to do with how good a parent you are.

Signs of colic

Crying that appears to start for no obvious reason
Crying at a similar time each day, often late afternoon or evening
A red, flushed face during crying episodes
Clenched fists, arched back, or drawing knees to chest
Crying that can't be soothed by feeding, winding, nappy changes, or cuddling
Your baby otherwise appears healthy, is feeding well and gaining weight

What causes colic?

The honest answer is that no one fully knows. Possible contributing factors include:

Trapped wind or gut discomfort. Immature digestive systems can struggle, especially in the early weeks
Overstimulation. Some babies process the stimulation of the day and "release" it in the evening
Sensitivity to formula or dairy in breast milk, though this is less common than widely believed
An immature nervous system. Babies are still learning to regulate their own states

Colic is not caused by bad parenting, a poor diet, or anything you have done wrong.

What helps with colic?

There's no single cure for colic, but these strategies can help:

Winding thoroughly

Make sure you wind your baby well after every feed, both during and after. Try different positions: over the shoulder, sitting upright on your lap, or lying face-down along your forearm. Some babies need a lot of patience with winding.

Movement and gentle pressure

Gentle rhythmic movement can help — rocking, carrying in a sling, or a gentle baby massage focusing on the tummy. A clockwise circular motion on the tummy can help move trapped gas.

White noise

As with general crying, white noise can be calming during colicky episodes. Try the sound of a fan, running water, or a white noise machine.

A calm parent

Easier said than done, but babies can sense tension. Taking turns with a partner, calling on family support, or simply putting baby down safely and taking two minutes to breathe — all of this matters.

Colic drops (Infacol / Colief)

Infacol (simethicone) and Colief (lactase enzyme) are sold over the counter, but the NHS says anti-colic drops are not recommended and there's no evidence they help colic. Speak to your health visitor for advice and support.

When to get help

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby:

Has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry, or their cry does not sound like their normal cry
Has a fit (seizure)
Has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue (on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
Is floppy, unresponsive or not waking up as easily as usual
Has difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking in under the ribs) or is breathing very fast
Is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
Has a temperature below 36°C, or feels cold to touch or is shivery
Has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
Is being violently sick a lot (projectile vomiting), is vomiting blood or vomit that looks like ground coffee, or has green or yellow-green vomit
Has not had a wet nappy in the past 8 hours

Contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 if your baby:

Has signs of being unwell, such as a high temperature, or is not interested in feeding
Has blood in their poo

Call NHS 111 or see a GP if:

You are worried about your baby's crying
Your baby has colic and nothing seems to be working
You are finding it hard to cope
Your baby is not growing or putting on weight as expected
Your baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age

Colic is a diagnosis of exclusion — your GP will rule out other causes before confirming it.

For parents: you are doing brilliantly

Colic is exhausting and emotionally draining. It'll pass. In the meantime, accept all the help you can get, lower your standards for everything else, and know that this phase is temporary.

Frequently asked questions

How long does colic last?

Colic typically starts in the first few weeks of life and resolves by 3–4 months of age, though for some babies it can last a little longer.

What causes colic in babies?

No one fully knows. Possible factors include trapped wind or gut discomfort, overstimulation, sensitivity to formula or dairy in breast milk, and an immature nervous system. Colic is not caused by bad parenting or anything you've done wrong.

When should I see my GP about my baby's crying?

Go to A&E or call 999 if your baby has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry, or their cry does not sound like their normal cry. Call 999 or go to A&E too if they are under 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C or higher, are 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39°C or higher, have a temperature below 36°C, are vomiting blood or have green or yellow-green vomit, or have any of the other emergency signs listed above. Contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 if they seem unwell, are not interested in feeding or have blood in their poo. Call NHS 111 or see a GP if you are worried about their crying, nothing seems to be working, you are finding it hard to cope, or they are not putting on weight as expected.

Do colic drops work?

Sources & further reading

General information, not individual medical advice. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor about your baby’s needs.