Discover our new product: 

Colic in babies

Colic is very common with up to 28% of babies experiencing colic.1 Colic usually appears when babies are around 2 weeks old.2 It tends to get worse between 4-6 weeks old and then episodes decline significantly after 3-4 months of age.3

What is colic?

Colic is a term used to describe excessive, uncontrollable crying or fussing in babies who are otherwise healthy and well fed.

Babies with colic may cry inconsolably for hours, usually in the late afternoon and evening. At other times they may be restless, cranky, and difficult to settle. A baby with colic may seem to be uncomfortable or have wind pain, drawing their legs up and clenching their fists.

colic
colic

What causes colic?

It’s not known exactly what causes colic, but some possible factors are:

  • An immature digestive system
  • Excess gas or “wind”
  • Underfeeding, overfeeding or infrequent burping
  • Sensitivity to light, noise and other stimuli

The good news is colic tends to go away on its own by the time a baby is around 4 months.3

What are the symptoms of colic in babies?

It’s completely normal for babies to cry, and most babies will cry for a few hours every day. But if your baby constantly cries and fusses for no apparent reason, or they seem to have colicky abdominal pain, they may be suffering from colic.

Symptoms of colic include:

icon-1

Excessive, frequent, or unexplained crying

Pulling the legs up to the stomach, or arching the back

Pulling the legs up to the stomach, or arching the back

Becoming red in the face or clenching the fists

Becoming red in the face or clenching the fists

Passing of excessive wind

A hard belly

A protruding belly

Symptoms tend to worsen in the evening and your baby may find it difficult to fall and stay asleep.

How is colic managed?

Colic is usually not serious and babies continue to eat and gain weight normally. In between bouts of crying, they may seem perfectly happy. But trying to cope with an inconsolable baby can be exhausting and may create stress and anxiety for your family.

It’s important to see your doctor if your baby is unusually distressed or crying constantly to rule out any other medical conditions.

What else can I do?

If your baby has colic, you may also consider the following to help relieve their discomfort.

Burping your baby frequently

Burping your baby frequently

Wrapping your baby snugly

Wrapping your baby snugly

Walking around to comfort them

A warm bath can help your baby relax

Try a gentle tummy massage

A gentle back or tummy rub

A calming bath

A calming bath

milk-bottle

A different teat on the feeding bottle

novalac-colic
Novalac

Colic

Learn more about how you can help
manage colic.

novalac-colic-cartoon

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about Novalac
and conditions that might impact your child’s feeding habits. 

What causes colic in infants?
Infant colic is often linked to digestive discomfort such as gas, bloating, or immature digestion. Novalac Colic is a colic formula designed to ease these symptoms and support more comfortable feeding.
Your healthcare professional will guide you. Novalac Colic is nutritionally complete for babies 0-12 months and is suitable for ongoing every day use, even after your baby’s symptoms have resolved. Babies aged over 6 months should be offered solid food in addition to infant formula.
Yes, Novalac Colic is suitable from birth and provides complete nutrition while helping with colic relief in newborns and infants.

Yes, but some babies may need a few days to adjust. Always check with your healthcare provider before switching to a colic formula.

Yes, Novalac Colic is formulated to reduce gas build-up and bloating, which are common causes of discomfort in infant colic.
Yes, Novalac Colic is a nutritionally complete colic formula and can be used as your baby’s sole source of nutrition from birth, or alongside solids after 6 months.

Need support or advice?

We offer a dedicated support line to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about Novalac products.

LEARN

Browse our articles

Novalac is available from pharmacies nationwide

Where to buy
  1. Biagioli E, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016.
  2. WebMD 2024 Accessed at https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/what-is-colic Reviewed Oct 2025.
  3. Mayo Clinic 2022 Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colic/symptomas-causes/syn-20371074 viewed Oct 2025.

Welcome to NovaNutrition

Please take a moment to read this important message.

If you are able to breastfeed, breastfeeding is best for babies. Breastfeeding has many benefits, such as protecting your baby from infection while their immune system develops. It is important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet in preparation for and during breastfeeding.

Infant formula is designed to replace breast milk when an infant is not breastfed. Combining breast and bottle feeding in your baby’s first weeks of life may reduce your supply of breast milk and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using infant formula should be considered when choosing a method of feeding.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing and using infant formula, including proper sterilisation of bottles and using boiled water. Improper use of an infant formula may make your baby ill.

We recommend that you consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional for advice about feeding your baby.