😣 Colic (Excessive Crying) in Babies: What Parents Can Do Today

✅ You are not doing anything wrong. Colic is common, exhausting, and real.
This guide helps you know what to do today, when to worry, and what to expect next.

1) 🧾 Quick “At-a-glance” box (top of page)

✅ Condition name: Colic
Common names: “Purple crying,” excessive crying, evening fussiness
Plain-language summary (2–3 lines):
Colic means a healthy baby cries a lot and is hard to soothe, usually in the late afternoon or evening. The exact cause is not one single thing—often it’s a mix of normal baby development, a sensitive nervous system, and tummy discomfort. Colic improves with time.
Who it affects (typical ages):
Most common from 2–3 weeks to 3–4 months (peak around 6–8 weeks).
✅ What parents should do today:
Check the basics: feeding, burping, diaper, temperature, and comfort.
Try a soothing plan (see section 5): swaddle (if age-appropriate), side/stomach hold while awake, shushing/white noise, gentle swinging, pacifier, stroller ride.
Take breaks: use safe handoffs so you don’t burn out.
⚠️ Red flags that need urgent/ER care:
Fever in a young baby (especially under 3 months)
Trouble breathing, turning blue, repeated vomiting (especially green/bilious), blood in stool
Extreme sleepiness/hard to wake, weak cry, poor feeding, signs of dehydration
Swollen/hard belly, new bulge in groin/scrotum with crying, or baby seems in severe pain
🟡 When to see the family doctor/clinic:
You feel something is “off,” baby not feeding well, poor weight gain
Crying is worsening or continues past 4 months
You suspect reflux, constipation, milk protein allergy, or postpartum mood concerns

2) 👶 What it is (plain language)

Colic is long periods of crying in an otherwise healthy baby—crying that can feel intense and hard to stop. Many babies with colic:

cry more in the late afternoon/evening,
pull legs up,
turn red,
clench fists,
seem gassy—yet are otherwise growing well.

What part of the body is involved? (small diagram required)

Common myths vs facts

Myth: “Colic means the baby has a serious illness.”
Fact: Most colic is not dangerous—but red flags must be watched for.
Myth: “It’s always caused by gas.”
Fact: Gas can happen during crying, but colic is often more about baby development + sensitivity.
Myth: “If my baby cries, I’m a bad parent.”
Fact: Colic happens even with excellent parenting.

3) 🧩 Why it happens (causes & triggers)

Common causes (most likely)

Normal development: baby’s nervous system is still learning to self-calm
Overstimulation: lights, noise, busy days, visitors
Feeding/swallowing air: fast flow bottle, latch issues, gulping
Immature digestion: normal gut movement can be uncomfortable
Sleep overtiredness: overtired babies can cry more and soothe less

Less common but important causes (brief)

These are not typical colic and usually come with other signs:

Infection (especially fever, poor feeding, lethargy)
Urinary tract infection
Reflux disease causing painful feeding refusal
Cow’s milk protein allergy (blood/mucus in stool, eczema, poor weight gain)
Hernia, testicular torsion (rare; severe sudden pain)
Intussusception (rare in very young; severe episodic pain, blood “currant jelly” stool)

Triggers that can worsen crying

Overtiredness, missed naps
Feeding too quickly
Smoking exposure
Too much handling when baby is very upset (some babies need calmer input)

Risk factors

First baby (often hardest transition for parents)
Family history of colic
Maternal stress or postpartum mood symptoms (colic can worsen stress, and stress can worsen coping)

4) 👀 What parents might notice (symptoms)

Typical symptoms (most common first)

Long crying spells, often late afternoon/evening
Hard to soothe, even after feeding/diaper changes
Baby draws legs up, clenches fists
Red face, tense body during episodes
Gas and burping during crying (often from swallowing air)

Symptoms by age group

0–2 weeks: crying increases gradually; persistent high-pitched crying this early needs attention
2–8 weeks: peak period for many babies
8–16 weeks: usually starts improving
>4 months: persistent excessive crying needs reassessment

What’s normal vs what’s not normal

✅ More likely normal colic:

baby feeds fairly well overall, has wet diapers, is alert between episodes, growing normally
⚠️ Not normal / needs medical review:
poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, fever, lethargy, vomiting repeatedly, blood in stool, poor weight gain, breathing issues

Symptom trackers (what to write down)

Start time/end time of crying, how long it lasts
Feeding details (breast/bottle, volume, speed)
Burping and spit-up
Stool patterns (blood/mucus?)
Wet diapers count
Any fever, rash, or unusual sleepiness
What soothed baby (and how long it worked)

5) 🏠 Home care and what helps (step-by-step)

✅ What to do in the first 24–48 hours

Safety first: if you feel overwhelmed, place baby in a safe crib and take 2–5 minutes to breathe.
Check basics: hunger, diaper, temperature, hair tourniquet (hair wrapped around toe/finger), skin irritation.
Try a structured soothing plan (below).
Review feeding technique (burping + flow).
Protect parent sleep: plan shifts with a partner/family member if possible.

The “5 S” soothing plan (classic colic toolkit)

✅ Do this now (when baby is crying):
Swaddle (only if safe for age; stop swaddling when baby shows signs of rolling)
Side/Stomach hold (only while awake and supervised; always sleep on back)
Shush/white noise (steady loud-ish shush like a shower sound)
Swing (gentle rhythmic movement—not shaking)
Suck (pacifier or clean finger if appropriate)

🟡 Watch closely: Some babies calm best with less stimulation (dark room + white noise + gentle rocking).

Feeding tips that often help

Burp more frequently: mid-feed and after feed
Slow the flow: try a slower-flow nipple if bottle-feeding
Paced bottle feeding: keep bottle more horizontal; pause every few minutes
Check latch/position: if breastfeeding, consider lactation support

Comfort measures

Warm bath
Skin-to-skin
Stroller ride or car ride (if safe and you are alert)
Gentle tummy massage (clockwise)
“Bicycle legs”

What usually makes it worse

Letting baby get overtired (aim for frequent naps)
Overfeeding during fussiness (can worsen spit-up)
Fast flow bottles
Trying too many changes at once (hard to know what helped)

6) ⛔ What NOT to do (common mistakes)

Unsafe treatments parents commonly try

Shaking (never) — can cause brain injury
Honey for infants (risk of botulism)
Unregulated herbal mixtures or “colic drops” with unclear ingredients
Essential oils on skin (irritation; some are unsafe for infants)

“Avoid unless your clinician told you”

Restrictive maternal diets beyond a careful plan
Switching formulas repeatedly every few days (unless advised)
Overusing suppositories or “detox” products

Over-the-counter medication cautions

Do not give cold medicines to infants
Avoid pain medications unless directed by clinician for a specific reason
Gas drops (simethicone) are generally safe but often only modestly helpful—don’t rely on them alone

7) 🚦 When to worry: triage guidance

🔴 Call 911 / Emergency now

Trouble breathing, turning blue, pauses in breathing
Baby is limp, very difficult to wake
Seizure
You feel out of control and fear you might shake the baby (get help immediately)

Example: “My baby is unusually sleepy and not responding like normal.”

🟠 Same-day urgent visit

Fever (especially in babies under 3 months)
Repeated vomiting, green vomit, blood in vomit or stool
Dehydration signs: fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, sunken soft spot, very sleepy
Sudden severe pain episodes (baby screams, then settles, then screams again)

Example: “Baby refuses feeds and has fewer wet diapers today.”

🟡 Book a routine appointment

Ongoing severe crying affecting family functioning
Poor weight gain or feeding struggles
Suspected reflux disease, cow’s milk protein allergy, constipation
Parental burnout or postpartum anxiety/depression

Example: “Crying is daily and we are not sleeping.”

🟢 Watch at home

Baby feeds and grows well
Crying is typical pattern (evening), no red flags
Soothing methods help at least sometimes

Example: “Evening fussiness for 2 hours but normal daytime feeding and wet diapers.”

8) 🩺 How doctors diagnose it (what to expect)

What the clinician will ask

Crying pattern: timing, duration, triggers
Feeding, spit-up, stool (blood/mucus?), wet diapers
Growth and weight gain
Fever or sick contacts
Sleep pattern

Physical exam basics

Full exam, hydration, abdominal exam
Look for hernias, skin issues, oral thrush, ear infection signs

Possible tests (and why)

Often none are needed if baby is well and growing, but may include:

Urine test (rule out UTI) if fever/unexplained fussiness
Stool test if blood/mucus and allergy suspected
Blood tests in young infants with fever

What tests are usually not needed

Imaging or extensive blood work if baby has normal exam, growth, and no red flags

What results might mean

Normal exam + growth + typical pattern supports colic
Abnormal findings direct treatment to a specific condition (UTI, allergy, etc.)

9) 💊 Treatment options

First-line (best evidence + safest)

Soothing routines (5 S)
Feeding technique optimization
Sleep protection for baby (prevent overtiredness)
Parent support and breaks

If not improving (next steps)

Lactation consultation or feeding assessment
Consider a short trial plan if allergy suspected:
- Breastfeeding: supervised elimination of cow’s milk protein from maternal diet
- Formula-feeding: trial of extensively hydrolyzed formula (only if advised)
Evaluate constipation or reflux disease if symptoms suggest

Severe cases (hospital care)

Needed if fever in young infant, dehydration, persistent vomiting, poor feeding, lethargy, or other red flags

For each treatment: practical details

Soothing routines

What it does: reduces stimulation and calms nervous system
How to do: consistent, repeatable steps
Side effects: none
When to stop/seek help: if red flags or parent exhaustion becomes unsafe

Feeding changes

What it does: reduces air swallowing and discomfort
Tips: slower nipple flow, paced feeding, frequent burps
Side effects: none

Medications

Colic is not usually treated with strong medicines.
If a clinician prescribes something for a specific diagnosis (reflux disease, allergy), follow their plan.

10) ⏳ Expected course & prognosis

Colic typically peaks at 6–8 weeks and improves by 3–4 months.
Getting better looks like:
- shorter crying spells
- easier soothing
- longer sleep stretches
Getting worse looks like:
- new symptoms (fever, vomiting, blood)
- poor feeding/weight gain
- crying that becomes constant all day
Return to normal routines: yes—walks, visitors, and gentle outings are okay if baby is otherwise well.

11) ⚠️ Complications (brief but clear)

Common complications

Parental exhaustion, stress, and reduced confidence
Relationship strain
Postpartum anxiety/depression can worsen

Rare serious complications

Accidental injury from shaking or unsafe soothing when caregivers are overwhelmed

⚠️ If you feel at risk of losing control: put baby in a safe crib and call for help immediately.

12) 🛡️ Prevention and reducing future episodes

Prevent overtiredness: naps before baby becomes frantic
Keep feeding calm and paced
Use predictable evening routine (dim lights, white noise)
Reduce smoke exposure
Use a caregiver rotation plan

13) 🌟 Special situations

Infants (young babies)

Fever in babies under 3 months needs prompt medical assessment.
Newborns with poor feeding or lethargy should be evaluated.

Teens

Not applicable.

Kids with chronic conditions

Not typical for colic; if baby has prematurity or medical complexity, keep lower threshold for evaluation.

Neurodevelopmental differences/autism

Not applicable.

Travel considerations

Keep feeding and sleep routine as consistent as possible
Plan breaks for soothing during travel

School/daycare notes

Not applicable.

14) 📅 Follow-up plan

If typical colic and baby is growing: follow up at routine well-baby visits
Follow up sooner if:
- feeding worsens
- fewer wet diapers
- symptoms persist past 4 months
- parent exhaustion is severe
Bring to appointment:
- crying diary (timing/duration)
- feeding details
- stool photos if concerning

15) ❓ Parent FAQs

“Is it contagious?”

No.

“Can my child eat ___?”

For babies:

Breast milk or formula is the main food.
Avoid frequent switching unless advised.
If allergy suspected, your clinician will guide a structured trial.

“Can they bathe/swim/exercise?”

Baths are often soothing. Infants can do normal baby activities.

“Will they outgrow it?”

Yes—most babies improve significantly by 3–4 months.

“When can we stop treatment?”

You can taper soothing strategies as crying spells shorten. Keep the bedtime routine because it helps sleep.

16) 🧾 Printable tools (high-value add-ons)

🧾 Printable: One-Page Action Plan (Colic)

When crying starts:

Check basics (diaper, hunger, temperature, hair tourniquet)
Burp + paced feeding if needed
Try 5 S: swaddle (if safe) / side-hold awake / shush / swing / suck
Dim lights + white noise
Warm bath or stroller walk
If overwhelmed: baby in crib + take a break + call support

Call urgently if: fever (especially <3 months), trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, blood in stool/vomit, dehydration, extreme sleepiness.

🧾 Printable: Medication Schedule Box

(Use only if prescribed by clinician.)

Morning: __________________ Time: ______
Afternoon: ________________ Time: ______
Evening: __________________ Time: ______
Notes / side effects: __________________________

🧾 Printable: Symptom Diary / Tracker

Date: ______

Crying start/end: __________________________
Trigger? (overtired/feeding/unknown): ________
Feeding amount + burps: ____________________
Stool (blood/mucus?): ______________________
Wet diapers today: ______
What helped: _______________________________

🧾 Printable: “Red Flags” Fridge Sheet

⚠️ Urgent/ER: trouble breathing/blue lips, fainting/limp, very hard to wake, fever in young infant, repeated vomiting (especially green), blood in stool/vomit, dehydration (no urine 8–12 hours), swollen/hard belly.

🧾 Printable: Caregiver Support Plan (Important!)

Backup helper: __________________ Phone: __________
“Break plan” if overwhelmed: baby in crib → step away 2–5 minutes → call helper
Night shift plan: ________________________________

17) 📚 Credible sources + last updated date

Trusted references (examples):

Children’s hospital pages on colic and purple crying
National pediatric society/academy parent education (infant crying and soothing)
Public health resources on preventing shaken baby syndrome and coping with crying

Last reviewed/updated on: 2025-12-30
Local guidance may differ based on your region and your baby’s age and medical history.

🧡 Safety disclaimer

This guide supports—not replaces—medical care. If you are worried about your child, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical assessment.

This guide was fully developed & reviewed by Dr. Mohammad Hussein, MD, FRCPC ROYAL COLLEGE–CERTIFIED PEDIATRICIAN & PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGIST Board-certified pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada) with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, motility and functional testing, and complex nutrition across diverse international practice settings.
To book an online assessment Email Dr. Hussein’s Assistant Elizabeth Gray at: Elizabeth.Gray@pedsgimind.ca
In the email subject, please write: New Assessment Appointment with Dr. Hussein
Important: This appointment is completely online as Dr. Hussein is currently working overseas. This service is not covered by OHIP