Colic: What It Is and What Parents Can Do

Aug 14, 2026 / Infants, Parenting
By Nicole Hewett, MD / Willow Creek

It’s five o’clock in the afternoon and your new beautiful bundle of joy has now become an inconsolable crying mess. You’ve tried picking your baby up, checking their diaper, offering some milk, swaddling, and laying them in their crib, but the crying just gets worse.

In fact, it continues for hours on end. Your baby looks to be in pain, but you can’t find the source of their discomfort. You’re at the end of your rope and don’t know what to do. Welcome to colic, one of the most misunderstood and distressing parts of being a new parent.

What Is Colic?

This period of crying, most commonly known as colic, is thought to be a normal developmental stage during infancy. It typically starts around two weeks of age, peaks around two months of age, and starts to resolve around three to four months of age. It typically occurs unprovoked in the late afternoon or early evening. It can last for hours in duration and your baby may even appear to be in pain from the grimace on their face.

What Causes Colic?

The reason for colic is not exactly known. Some attribute it to differences in personality (just like some children sleep more, cuddle more, or cry more) or differences in the progression of development (like the age children begin to crawl or walk). Others attribute it to an immature nervous system. Or perhaps the baby is just overstimulated. The important thing to remember is that, in the vast majority of cases, this crying is normal and infants almost always grow out of it.

Colic Relief Tips

Dr. Harvey Karp, an American pediatrician, author, and child development specialist who is best known for his book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, recommends the “5 S’s” as follows: swaddle, side-lie, shush, sway, and suck.

Swaddle your infant in a soft, breathable fabric leaving two fingers of space between the swaddling fabric and your baby’s chest – being mindful of leaving their hips and legs loose.
Hold your baby with their left side down to aid in digestion. Or, you can lay your baby tummy-down across your knees and gently rub their back. The pressure against their belly may help comfort them.
Make a loud, long “shhh” sound or turn on the household vacuum or oven hood.
Sway back and forth slowly while supporting their head and neck.
Finally, let your baby suckle at their mother’s breast or on the bottle – for a little more freedom, you may want to use a pacifier.

When to Call the Doctor

While less than 5% of colicky babies have an underlying medical cause for their crying, if you suspect something is wrong, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician. Acid reflux, certain food intolerances, and infection can all cause similar symptoms. If your baby has a fever, is experiencing feeding difficulties, is spitting up more, or has blood or mucus in their stool, it’s a good idea to take your baby in for an appointment.

Take a Break If You Need One

It is very important to never shake your baby, no matter how frustrated or impatient you feel. A crying baby is especially distressing for parents. And for good reason – evolutionarily, infants who cry more are fed and comforted more. Nearly every parent has been pushed to their limits out of frustration, but shaking is never the answer. Shaking an infant can cause blindness, brain damage, or even death.

When you’re feeling tense or anxious, have a family member or friend look after your baby and take a break. Taking even an hour or two away will help you maintain a positive attitude. If no other adult is available to help, it’s okay to lay your baby on their back in the crib or another safe place (an enclosed area low to the ground with a firm surface and no blankets or stuffed animals) and leave the room for a few minutes.

It’s okay to take time for yourself while periodically checking in on your baby using a baby monitor. You can call a friend, do a household chore, or do something you enjoy. If you aren’t calm by the end of the activity, ask for more help.

And while it can be very hard, don’t feel guilty about letting your baby cry. Babies who cry for hours per day, weeks on end, are at no higher risk of health or temperament issues later in life in comparison to babies who didn’t cry that much.

Remember

You aren’t alone. If you’ve been feeling sad or hopeless most of the time, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, taking care of yourself less, or noticing changes in your sleeping or eating habits, it might be time to reach out for help.

Call your own doctor or you can contact The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA), which is a free, confidential hotline available 24/7. Partners and family of pregnant and postpartum women are encouraged to contact the hotline as well.