Colic is the medical term for excessive, frequent crying in a baby who appears to be otherwise healthy and well fed. It is a poorly understood yet common condition, and affects around one in five babies.
If your baby has colic, they may appear to be in distress. However, the condition is not harmful, and your baby will continue to feed and gain weight normally. There is no evidence that colic has any long-term effects on a baby’s health.
A baby with colic may have several crying outbursts a day, a few times a week. The crying pattern usually begins within the first few weeks of life but often stops by the time the baby is four months old, and by six months at the latest. Read more about the symptoms of colic.
Typically, a baby with colic will scream and draw up their legs, and may refuse to be comforted. It can be very distressing for parents, especially as the cause of colic is unknown, but support groups such as Cry-sis may help.
Seeing your GP
If your baby has colic, it is recommended that you contact your GP when the excessive crying begins.
This is so your GP can rule out conditions that may be causing your baby's crying, such as eczema (a skin condition) or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), where stomach acid leaks back out of the stomach and into the throat.
Read about the diagnosis of colic.
When to call your GP immediately
A number of signs and symptoms may suggest that your baby is more seriously ill. It is recommended that you contact your GP immediately if your baby:
- has a weak, high-pitched continuous cry
- seems floppy when you pick them up
- takes less than one-third of their usual amount of fluid, passes much less urine than usual, vomits green fluid, or passes blood in their stools
- has a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above if they are less than three months of age, or 39C (102.2F) or above if they are three to six months old
- has a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot at the top of a baby’s head)
- has a fit (seizure)
- turns blue, blotchy or very pale
- has a stiff neck
- has breathing problems, such as breathing quickly or grunting while breathing
- has a spotty, purple-red rash anywhere on their body (this could be meningitis)
If you can't get hold of your GP, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Advice for parents
Having to care for a baby with colic can be distressing for parents, particularly first-time parents. It is important to remember that:
- Your baby’s colic is not your fault. It does not mean your baby is unwell, or that you are doing something wrong, or that your baby is rejecting you.
- The symptoms of colic will pass. Colic is just a short-term phase that your baby is going through.
- You should look after your own wellbeing. If possible, ask friends and family for support as it is important that you can take a break and rest when your baby is asleep.
Read more information about help for parents.
Tips for helping your baby
There is currently no cure for colic. However, some techniques may help, such as bathing your baby in a warm bath and preventing your baby from swallowing air by sitting them upright during feeding.
A small number of babies may also benefit from changes to their diet, such as adding lactase drops to breast milk or bottle milk. Lactase is a type of enzyme that breaks down a sugar called lactose, which is found in milk. Your baby may have short-term problems digesting lactose.
Find out more information about treating colic.
