Colic is intense, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby, and while there’s no single fix, a combination of soothing techniques, feeding adjustments, and environmental changes can meaningfully reduce how long and how hard your baby cries. Colic affects roughly 10% to 40% of infants worldwide, typically peaks around six weeks of age, and resolves on its own by three to four months in most cases. That timeline can feel like an eternity when you’re in the middle of it, so here’s what actually works.
What Colic Looks Like
A colicky baby cries for three or more hours a day, at least three days a week. The crying often starts in the late afternoon or evening, seemingly out of nowhere, and nothing you do seems to help. Your baby may clench their fists, arch their back, pull their legs toward their belly, and turn red in the face. Between episodes, they’re perfectly fine: feeding well, gaining weight, and hitting milestones.
This pattern is different from crying caused by hunger, a wet diaper, or tiredness, which usually stops once the need is met. It’s also different from reflux, where babies tend to spit up frequently, arch during or right after feeds, and seem bothered by lying flat. If your baby’s crying is accompanied by vomiting, bloody stool, fever, or poor weight gain, something else is going on and needs medical attention.
The 5 S’s: A Step-by-Step Soothing Method
The most widely recommended approach for calming a colicky baby involves five techniques designed to recreate the sensory environment of the womb. They work best when used together, not one at a time.
- Swaddle. Wrap your baby snugly in a lightweight blanket with arms tucked in. This provides the warmth and gentle pressure they felt before birth. A good swaddle reduces the startle reflex that can keep crying going.
- Side or stomach position (while held). Hold your baby on their left side or facedown along your forearm. This position helps with digestion and triggers a calming sensation. Always place your baby on their back when it’s time to sleep.
- Shush. Make a loud, sustained “shhhh” sound near your baby’s ear, or use a white noise machine. Inside the womb, the sound of blood flowing through the placenta created constant noise roughly as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Quiet rooms can actually feel unsettling to a newborn.
- Swing. Gently rock or sway your baby with small, rhythmic movements. Keep the motion steady and controlled. Jiggling the head is the goal, not large dramatic swings.
- Suck. Offer a pacifier or let your baby nurse for comfort. Babies can’t cry and suck at the same time, and sucking activates a calming reflex even when they’re not hungry.
The key is layering these together. Swaddle first, then hold on the side, then shush while gently swaying, then offer the pacifier. Many parents try one technique in isolation, decide it doesn’t work, and move on. The combination is what makes the difference.
The Colic Carry
A technique popularized by pediatrician Robert Hamilton works especially well for babies under three months. Fold your baby’s arms across their chest. With one hand, gently secure both arms by holding them against the chest from the front. With your other hand, support the diaper area from below. Tilt your baby forward to about a 45-degree angle and gently rock them back and forth or in small circles. The forward tilt, combined with the arm position, gives the baby a sense of security while your rocking provides rhythmic motion. Many parents find this stops crying within seconds.
Feeding Changes That Reduce Crying
If you’re breastfeeding, what you eat can directly affect your baby’s comfort. A randomized trial published in Pediatrics found that when breastfeeding mothers removed common allergens from their diet (cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and fish), 74% of colicky babies improved, compared with 37% in the group that made no dietary changes. Cry and fuss time dropped by about 21% on average. You don’t necessarily need to cut all seven food groups at once. Cow’s milk protein is the most common culprit, so starting there makes sense. Give it at least a week to see results, since it takes time for dairy proteins to clear your system.
If your baby is formula-fed, switching to an extensively hydrolyzed formula may help. These formulas break milk proteins into much smaller pieces that are easier to digest. A double-blind trial found that colicky infants on hydrolyzed whey formula cried significantly less than those on standard formula. Talk to your pediatrician before switching, since these formulas cost more and aren’t necessary for every colicky baby.
Regardless of how you feed, pace your baby’s intake. Burp frequently during feeds. If you’re bottle-feeding, try a slow-flow nipple to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows. Hold your baby upright for 15 to 20 minutes after eating.
Probiotics: What the Evidence Shows
A specific strain of beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 has shown real promise for breastfed colicky babies. In a randomized, double-blind trial, significantly more infants given this probiotic experienced at least a 50% reduction in crying time by day 21 compared to those given a placebo. The dose used was five drops per day. The evidence is stronger for breastfed babies than for formula-fed babies, and not every study has found the same benefit, but it’s one of the few supplements with legitimate clinical support. Look for this specific strain on the label.
What Doesn’t Work
Simethicone drops (sold under brand names for infant gas relief) are one of the most popular over-the-counter remedies parents reach for. Unfortunately, multiple systematic reviews have found no benefit over placebo. Some reviews even noted a potential worsening of symptoms. Despite being widely available, the clinical evidence simply doesn’t support their use for colic.
Gripe water is another common choice, but it’s not regulated by the FDA. The ingredients vary by brand and typically include fennel, ginger, baking soda, and flavorings. Because herbal remedies for infants aren’t subject to the same quality or safety standards as food or medicine, there’s no guarantee of what’s actually in the bottle. Multiple brands have been recalled over the years for posing dangers to babies.
Creating a Calmer Environment
Colicky babies are often overstimulated by the end of the day, which may explain why evening is peak crying time. Dimming lights, reducing noise, and limiting visitors during the fussy period can help. A warm bath before the usual crying window sometimes resets the cycle. Skin-to-skin contact, where your baby lies on your bare chest wearing only a diaper, regulates their heart rate, breathing, and stress hormones.
Motion helps many babies. A car ride, a stroller walk, or time in a baby swing can provide the rhythmic movement that mimics being carried in the womb. Some parents find that running a hair dryer or clothes dryer nearby (for the white noise and vibration) works when nothing else does.
Protecting Yourself While You Cope
Hours of inconsolable crying can push any parent to a breaking point. This is normal, and it does not mean you’re failing. The period of intense infant crying, sometimes called the Period of PURPLE Crying, is a normal developmental phase that every baby goes through to some degree.
When you’ve tried everything and your baby is still screaming, put them down in a safe place like their crib, walk into another room, and take a few minutes to breathe. A baby crying alone in a crib for five minutes is safe. A baby in the arms of a parent who has lost control is not. Never shake a baby, no matter how desperate you feel. If you’re alone and overwhelmed, call a partner, friend, family member, or a crisis line. Having someone take over for even 30 minutes can make a real difference.
Colic is temporary. It peaks around six weeks and for most babies is completely gone by three to four months, with nearly all cases resolved by six months. The crying will end, and it won’t leave lasting effects on your baby’s development or your bond with them.