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Baby colic: what it is, what helps, and how to cope
Last verified: July 9, 2026
The short answer
- Colic is a lot of crying with no clear cause, in an otherwise healthy baby
- It affects about 1 in 5 babies and usually settles by 3 to 4 months
- Nobody knows the exact cause, and it is not your fault
- The most important thing to protect is you: never shake a baby, and it is fine to put them down safely and step away
Colic is one of the hardest things about early parenthood, partly because there is often nothing to fix. This guide covers what it is, what genuinely helps, what to skip, and the part that matters most: getting through it without running yourself into the ground. For the wider picture of newborn crying, see our first-window guide.
What colic actually is
Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious cause. The common definition is the rule of 3: crying more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, for at least a week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and growing (NHS: Colic). It tends to be worse in the afternoon and evening, right when your own reserves are lowest.
While they cry, a colicky baby may be hard to settle, clench their fists, go red, pull their knees up or arch their back, and seem windy. It usually starts in the first few weeks and eases by 3 to 4 months.
Is it colic, or something else?
Because colic is defined by the absence of another cause, it is worth ruling out the usual suspects first. The NHS lists hunger, a dirty nappy, trapped wind, reflux, and constipation as other reasons a baby cries hard. If you are not sure what is wrong, that uncertainty is a good reason to check with your health visitor, call 111, or see a GP.
Why it happens
The honest answer is that no one knows for certain. The most common explanation, from the AAP, is that some babies are simply more sensitive to the world and have a brand-new nervous system that gets overwhelmed and cannot settle itself yet (AAP: Colic relief tips). Occasionally it is linked to a food sensitivity, either something in a breastfeeding parent’s diet or, rarely, the protein in formula. The NHS notes the same, including cow’s milk allergy as a possible factor.
What every source agrees on is what colic is not. It is not caused by anything you did, and it is not a sign of a bad baby or a bad parent.
What helps
There is no cure, so the aim is comfort and getting through the evening. Both the NHS and AAP suggest much the same toolkit, and different babies respond to different things.
- hold or cuddle your baby, or walk with them in a sling or carrier
- hold them upright during feeds and wind them afterwards, to cut down swallowed air
- rock them gently, over your shoulder, in the crib, or in the pram
- try steady white noise, like a fan, the radio, or a vacuum in the next room
- a warm bath, a pacifier, or laying them tummy-down across your knees while you rub their back
- keep feeding as usual, and do not change your own diet without talking to a professional first
If your baby falls asleep tummy-down on your lap, always move them to their back to sleep, in line with safe sleep guidance.
What to skip
This is a market full of products that promise relief and do not deliver. The NHS is clear that anti-colic drops, herbal remedies, and probiotic supplements are not recommended, because there is no evidence they help colic. It also warns against spinal manipulation and cranial osteopathy, which have little evidence behind them and may hurt your baby. Save your money and your hope for the things that actually soothe.
Looking after yourself
This is the part that matters most, and it is the part parenting books tend to whisper. Hours of crying you cannot stop is genuinely hard, and it can push anyone to their limit.
No matter how exhausted or frustrated you feel, never shake a baby. Shaking can cause blindness, brain damage, or death. If you feel yourself getting to that edge, it is completely safe to put your baby down on their back in their cot, close the door, and take a few minutes in another room to breathe.
That pause is not failure, it is an official coping strategy. Hand the baby to a partner, friend or relative and get out of the house for an hour if you can. And if the crying is wearing you down, or you feel low or unable to cope, tell your GP or health visitor. In the UK the Cry-sis helpline is free on 0800 448 0737, 9am to 10pm every day.
When to call
- you are worried about your baby's crying, or nothing seems to work
- you are finding it hard to cope
- your baby is not growing or gaining weight as expected
- colic symptoms are still going strong after 4 months
And a small number of signs mean a crying baby needs urgent help, because the cry itself has changed.
- a weak or high-pitched cry
- a cry that does not sound like your baby's normal cry
Trust your instincts. You know your baby’s normal, and your own concern is always reason enough to seek help.
Keep reading
- Weeks 0 to 8: settling in, the full picture of newborn crying
- Baby reflux and spitting up
- Baby constipation: the signs and what helps
- All the first-year windows
Sources
- NHS: Colic (page last reviewed April 2022)
- AAP HealthyChildren: Colic relief tips for parents (last updated April 2024)
Peanutbean provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace. Always talk to your pediatrician about your child’s health.
Common questions
What is the rule of 3 for colic?
Colic is often defined as crying more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, for at least 1 week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy. The crying is usually hard to soothe and often worse in the late afternoon and evening.
How long does colic last?
Colic tends to start in the first few weeks, peak around 6 weeks, and settle by 3 to 4 months. In some babies it can last until around 6 months. It almost always passes on its own, and it is not caused by anything you did.
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