Colic is one of the most exhausting and bewildering experiences of early parenting. When a baby screams for hours and nothing seems to help, it's easy to feel like you're failing. You're not. Colic is a well-described, temporary condition — and while there is no magic solution, there are approaches that genuinely help many babies.
For a comprehensive overview, see our complete guide to child health.
What Colic Actually Is
Colic is defined clinically as crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby under 3 months. It affects about 20% of infants regardless of feeding method, culture, or parenting approach.
Despite decades of research, the cause remains unclear. Leading theories include: gut immaturity causing painful gas, an immature pain modulation system, gut microbiome differences, and hypersensitivity to normal sensory stimulation. In most babies, it is probably a combination.
The reassurance that colic brings: it is temporary. It typically starts at 2–3 weeks, peaks around 6 weeks, and resolves for the majority of babies by 3 months.
What Has Evidence Behind It
Motion. Rhythmic movement — rocking, swaying, going for a walk, or a car journey — soothes most colicky babies. The rhythm mimics the motion experienced in the womb. There is no evidence one type of motion is superior; consistency and rhythm matter more than method.
White noise. Continuous low-level noise — a shushing sound, a white noise machine, a fan, or rainfall recordings — reduces crying in many babies. Again, it may mimic the constant background noise of the womb. It is safe at moderate volumes (no more than 65 dB at the baby's ear, roughly equivalent to a normal conversation level).
Skin-to-skin contact and carrying. Being held close, skin-to-skin or in a sling, activates the calming nervous system in many babies. Several studies show that increased carrying reduces the duration of crying. This is not the same as always picking up a baby the moment they make a sound — it means prioritising close contact during the difficult evening hours.
Winding technique. Inadequate winding is a common contributor to discomfort. Wind during feeds (every 5 minutes for bottle-fed babies; every time the baby pulls off for breastfed babies), not just after. Upright winding positions (over the shoulder, sitting up and leaning forward) often work better than the classic over-the-lap position.
Probiotic L. reuteri (in breastfed babies): Several trials show that a specific strain — Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 — reduces crying time in breastfed babies with colic. Effect sizes are modest, but the intervention is safe and straightforward. Evidence in formula-fed babies is less consistent.
Maternal dietary changes (in breastfed babies): A 2-week trial of eliminating dairy from the mother's diet is reasonable if colic is severe. Some studies show benefit; others don't. It costs nothing, is safe, and works for a proportion of mothers. If there is no improvement after 2 weeks, it's unlikely to help.
What Probably Doesn't Help
- Hypoallergenic formula in formula-fed babies: Limited evidence. A 2-week trial is sometimes recommended before dismissing.
- Gripe water: No robust evidence, but no harm. Many parents find the ritual soothing if nothing else.
- Simethicone drops (infacol, dentinox): Evidence for gas reduction is poor. Again, no harm.
- Herbal preparations: Evidence absent. Some (fennel seed oil in high doses, certain herbal teas) carry risks.
- Changing position during sleep: Placing a baby prone (on tummy) reduces crying in some studies but conflicts with safe sleep guidance for SIDS prevention. This should not be done unsupervised.
Managing the Impact on Parents
Colic doesn't harm the baby — the crying reflects a temporary developmental phase. But the impact on parents is real. Sleep deprivation, guilt, relationship strain, and in severe cases postnatal depression are genuine risks.
Strategies for parents: hand the baby to a trusted adult and leave the house for 20 minutes. Accept help when it's offered. Remind yourself — repeatedly — that this will pass, that you have not caused it, and that responding to your baby's distress is exactly what you should be doing.
If you feel you cannot cope, or if there are intrusive thoughts about the baby or yourself, speak to your GP. This is a medical issue, not a personal failing.
Key Takeaways
Colic is defined as crying over 3 hours per day on more than 3 days per week in healthy babies under 3 months, typically peaking at 6 weeks and resolving by 3-4 months. Evidence-based approaches include rhythmic motion, white noise, skin-to-skin contact, improved winding technique, and in breastfed babies, the probiotic L. reuteri or a 2-week trial of maternal dairy elimination. Colic does not harm the baby but significantly impacts parental wellbeing; seeking support and accepting help are essential for managing parental stress and mental health.
