Colic is a common, but poorly understood, condition that affects babies. The most common symptom of colic is excessive and inconsolable crying in a baby that otherwise appears to be healthy and well-fed.
How common is colic?
Colic is a very common condition that affects around 1 in 5 of babies. Babies of both sexes are equally affected by colic.
The symptoms of colic usually begin within the first few weeks of life, and usually resolve by the time the baby is four months of age, and by six months at the latest.
The cause (or causes) of colic is unknown.
Outlook
The outlook for colic is very good. 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 to suggest that colic has any long-term adverse effects on your baby’s health.
There is currently no cure for colic, so treatment usually involves using self-care techniques, such as bathing your baby in a warm bath to help soothe them. 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 (proteins that cause chemical reactions to occur).
