Colic in babies: what you need to know
Emily Gulla
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Up all night, inconsolable crying, always tired – and that’s just you! Any parent with a baby who has colic will know how traumatic it can be. It helps to be informed, so here's what you need to know about colic...
Colic can be distressing for any new parent to deal with. And to make things even more stressful, there are lots of unverified old wives’ tales about treatments for colic – it's hard to know what to believe!
So, to make things simple, we’ve got the facts you need to know about colic. Plus, the best tips when it comes to helping your baby...
What are the signs of colic?
Just because your baby cries, it doesn’t mean they've got colic.
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Colic is the name for excessive bouts of crying in an otherwise healthy baby, when there's no obvious cause for their crying. Colic often starts when the baby is a few weeks old and usually stops by the time they are six months.
According to the NHS, some of the colic signs to look out for include:
- Crying that lasts for more than three hours a day, three days a week for at least one week.
- Your baby cries more often in the afternoon and evening.
- It is hard to soothe or settle your baby.
- Your baby clenches their fists.
- Your baby goes red in the face and gets flushed, red cheeks.
- They bring their knees up to their tummy or arch their back.
- Your baby's tummy rumbles or they're very windy.
Colic refers to crying that doesn't have an obvious cause, so it's worth checking that your baby isn't crying for a different reason too. Read more about the reasons why your baby might be crying here.
While colic is stressful, it is common in babies and the NHS advises that it should gets better on its own. However, if you're worried, speak to your health visitor, GP, or call NHS 111.
What causes colic?
While everyone agrees colic exists, no one actually knows for sure what causes it, which can make colic even more difficult to deal with as a parent!
Some doctors think it’s a type of stomach cramp, which is why you might notice your baby drawing their knees up to their tummy or arching their back. Your baby may also clench their fists, and get flushed red cheeks.
On the other hand, it might just be a normal part of growing up for some babies. Of course, that doesn't make it any easier for you to deal with! Luckily, we have some tips ...
How to help your baby with colic
The truth is that there’s no specific treatment, technique, medicine or pixie dust to solve colic in every baby – but there are some tips you can try that may help …
- Cuddle up. Holding or cuddling your baby when they're crying a lot can help to soothe them – and you'll probably instinctively want to do so anyway.
- Wind your baby after feeds. Cuddling your baby is also a good chance to wind them. Often, the act of gently rocking your baby over your shoulder, or gently rubbing their back or tummy, can help to burp them and relieve some of their discomfort. Try giving different positions to see if that helps ease their distress – for example, cradling them in your arms, or in the ‘tiger in the tree’ position where they lie along your arm facing down.
- Sit or hold your baby upright during feeding to stop them swallowing any air.
- Rock your baby. As well as rocking your baby over your shoulder, you can try rocking them in their Moses basket or crib, or pushing them in their pram.
- Run a bath. A warm bath followed by a gentle baby massage may also help to calm your little one down.
- Make some noise. Some mums say that white noise – such as the sound of a washing machine, vacuum cleaner or radio static – can help to soothe a colicky baby. (No one says you actually have to do the cleaning – just switch it on!). You can also try playing the TV or radio in the background to distract them.
- Go out for a walk. Babies love movement, so pop them in their pram and head out for a stroll. Middle of the night? You can always wheel them around the garden if you don’t fancy braving the streets in your PJs.
- Keep feeding your baby as normal. It might be tempting to try to switch up your baby's eating habits, but it's better to keep feeding them as usual.
Your baby won't usually need to see a doctor when they have colic, but if you're struggling to find things that work to soothe your baby at home, speak to your health visitor for advice and support. And of course, always seek medical advice if you think your baby could be ill.
Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are online Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
Coping with colic if you're breastfeeding
If you're breastfeeding, there are specific things you can try to help your baby with colic...
First of all, you can try to make sure your baby drains the whole breast, before offering them the other one, during a feed.
One specific theory is that babies who fill up on too much foremilk (the watery stuff that comes out of the boob first during a feed) instead of the more filling hindmilk (which comes from deeper within the breast), may end up feeding more frequently and are then likely to take in more milk than their tummies can tolerate.
Some mums suggest trying to drink less tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, as well as eating less spicy food and drinking less alcohol – as some people think these things can aggravate colic if you're breastfeeding.
However, the NHS says that there is very little evidence that changing your diet when breastfeeding will work to help with colic.
... And if you're bottle-feeding
If you're bottle-feeding a colicky baby, there are also things you can try to ease your baby's symptoms...
Try sitting your baby upright when they're feeding and try to make sure the milk always covers the neck of the bottle to prevent them from swallowing too much air. You might also want to experiment with anti-colic teats to see if your baby prefers a different teat.
The NHS also lists digestive problems, including colic, as a symptom of a potential cows' milk allergy in babies. Baby formula is usually made from cows' milk that has been treated to make it suitable for babies – and older babies should only be given actual cows' milk mixed in with food from six months old, and as a drink from 12 months.
In the rare instance of cow's milk allergy causing the problem, your GP may prescribe a hypoallergenic formula, with fully hydrolysed (broken down) proteins. But you should never try this without talking to your doctor first and having it prescribed.
There are formulas with partially hydrolysed proteins (comfort formula) available in pharmacies and shops, but they aren't suitable for babies with a cows' milk allergy, so don't buy one yourself.
If you're bottle feeding your baby, you can buy specially-designed bottles that help to alleviate colic symptoms. See more details here at Boots.
Which medicines can help with colic?
As most babies grow out of colic, medicines aren’t usually recommended, but if you’re finding it hard to cope, speak to your health visitor or GP.
Some parents recommend using anti-colic drops, such as simeticone drops like Infacol which are designed to release bubbles of trapped wind in your baby’s gut, and lactose drops like Colief which are intended to help break down lactose (a type of sugar) in breastmilk and formula. These drops are added to your baby's breastmilk or formula in a bottle.
However, the NHS says there is very little evidence that anti-colic drops work.
Some people also recommend herbal and probiotic supplements, but again the NHS advises that there isn't much evidence.
Instead, most healthcare professionals advise that you just try to keep yourself sane while you wait for your baby to grow out of this troubling phase.
Remember: it's not your fault
If your baby has colic, it’s not because you've done anything wrong.
Still, it can be helpful to remind yourself that it won't last forever. According to the NHS, most babies grow out of colic by the time they are four to six months old.
If nothing seems to be helping and you’re at all concerned, visit your GP to rule out any other problems, such as reflux.
And if you ever feel that you're at breaking point, put your baby in their cot or some other safe place, and leave the room for a while. You should never shake your baby, even if you're feeling frustrated.
You might find it helpful to chat to other mums about how you’re feeling in our forum. You could also try phoning the helpline of Cry-Sis, a charity that offers support to families affected by crying, on 08451 228 669.
Looking for more information on soothing a baby with colic? Read our articles below or share advice with other parents in the forum.
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Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are on line Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
