A colicky baby can often be soothed with a combination of physical techniques, environmental changes, and dietary adjustments, though no single method works for every infant. Colic is formally defined by the “rule of three”: crying more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for longer than three weeks. It typically starts in the first six weeks of life and resolves on its own by three months for most babies, and by six months in nearly all cases. That timeline can feel like an eternity when you’re in the thick of it, so here’s what actually helps.
Why Colicky Babies Cry So Much
Understanding what’s happening in your baby’s body can help you choose the right soothing strategies. Colicky infants tend to have a different balance of gut bacteria compared to calm babies. They carry more gas-producing bacteria and fewer of the anti-inflammatory types that protect the digestive tract. The result is excess gas from fermentation in the gut, along with low-grade intestinal inflammation, both of which cause real discomfort.
This isn’t something you caused, and it isn’t a sign that something is seriously wrong. As your baby’s digestive system matures and the bacterial balance shifts over the first few months, the crying decreases. In the meantime, the goal is to reduce discomfort and activate your baby’s built-in calming reflexes.
The 5 S’s: A Step-by-Step Soothing System
Pediatrician Harvey Karp’s “5 S’s” method is one of the most widely recommended approaches for calming a fussy newborn. Each step mimics something about the womb environment, and they work best when layered together rather than tried one at a time.
- Swaddle. Wrap your baby snugly in a blanket with arms tucked in. This prevents the startle reflex from jolting them awake and recreates the tight, secure feeling of the womb. A good swaddle is the foundation for everything else.
- Side or stomach position. Hold your baby on their side or stomach against your body. This position calms the gut and reduces the discomfort of gas. Always place your baby on their back when you put them down to sleep.
- Shush. Make a loud, sustained “shhh” sound close to your baby’s ear. Inside the womb, the constant rush of blood flow was louder than a vacuum cleaner. A gentle whisper won’t cut it. Match the intensity of the crying, then gradually lower the volume as your baby settles.
- Swing. Use small, gentle, rhythmic movements. Think of tiny jiggly motions with your hands supporting the head and neck, not large rocking arcs. The motion should be quick and small, like the vibrations your baby felt when you walked during pregnancy.
- Suck. Offer a pacifier, a bottle, or the breast. Sucking triggers the release of endorphins, your baby’s natural pain-relieving hormones, which helps them relax even when their belly hurts.
Try combining all five at once during a crying episode. Swaddle first, hold on the side, shush loudly, add gentle motion, and offer a pacifier. Many parents find that one or two S’s alone don’t do much, but stacking them creates a powerful calming effect.
White Noise and Environment
A sound machine running continuously can extend the calming effect of shushing. White noise, rain sounds, or low-pitched fan noise all work. The CDC recommends keeping the volume under 60 decibels for infant safety, which is roughly the volume of a normal conversation. Place the machine at least 7 feet from your baby’s head, per the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation.
Dimming the lights and reducing stimulation also helps, especially in the late afternoon and evening when colic episodes tend to peak. Overstimulated babies have a harder time settling, so a dark, quiet room with steady background noise can make a noticeable difference.
Dietary Changes That Can Help
If you’re breastfeeding, your baby may be reacting to proteins passing through your milk. The most common culprits are cow’s milk products, soy, and eggs. You can try eliminating all three at once and watching for improvement over two to four weeks, or remove one category at a time, giving each two to four weeks before deciding whether it made a difference. Look for changes not just in crying but also in spitting up, rashes, congestion, or mucus in the stool.
If your baby is formula-fed, a standard cow’s milk formula may be part of the problem. Some babies with a true milk protein sensitivity need a hypoallergenic formula where the proteins are already broken down. Talk to your pediatrician about trying one. Soy formula, despite its popularity, has no evidence supporting its use for colic or fussiness.
What About Gas Drops and Probiotics?
Simethicone gas drops are one of the most commonly purchased colic remedies, but the clinical evidence is consistently unfavorable. A large systematic review published in BMJ Open found that simethicone showed no benefit over placebo across multiple studies, and some reviews noted it could even worsen symptoms. Despite being widely available and marketed for infant gas, it’s not recommended by most clinical guidelines for colic.
Probiotics are more promising in theory, since colicky babies do have lower levels of beneficial gut bacteria. However, results have been mixed. One well-designed clinical trial testing a specific probiotic strain in colicky infants found no significant reduction in crying time compared to placebo. Some smaller studies have shown benefits, but the evidence isn’t strong enough yet for a blanket recommendation. If you want to try a probiotic, your pediatrician can help you choose an appropriate one, but don’t count on it as a fix.
Other Physical Comfort Strategies
Beyond the 5 S’s, a few additional techniques can provide relief during bad episodes. Warm baths relax the abdominal muscles and can ease gas pain. Bicycle legs, where you gently pump your baby’s legs in a cycling motion while they lie on their back, helps move trapped gas through the intestines. Tummy time on your forearm, with your baby draped belly-down along your arm and your hand supporting their head, applies gentle pressure to the abdomen that many colicky babies find comforting.
Skin-to-skin contact is another reliable calmer. Holding your undressed baby against your bare chest regulates their heart rate, temperature, and breathing, all of which can become erratic during prolonged crying spells. Babywearing in a soft carrier achieves a similar effect while keeping your hands free.
Protecting Yourself During the Worst Moments
Colic is one of the leading triggers for caregiver frustration that can escalate to shaking. This isn’t a reflection of your character. It’s a normal physiological stress response to relentless crying. Having a plan for your worst moments is essential.
If you feel tension or anger building, put your baby down in their crib on their back and leave the room for 10 to 15 minutes. Your baby will be safe. Go somewhere you can’t hear the crying as clearly. Lie down, put on headphones, step outside, or do something physical like folding laundry. When you feel your body start to relax, go back. A baby crying alone in a safe crib for 15 minutes is in no danger. A baby being held by someone who has reached their breaking point is.
If you have a partner, family member, or friend who can take a shift, use them. Even 30 minutes of relief can reset your nervous system enough to get through the next stretch. Colic is a temporary phase, but your ability to cope with it depends on getting breaks.