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