Colic in babies: what the crying means and when it stops
In this article
Colic is crying that goes on for hours in a baby who is otherwise healthy and feeding well, with no medical cause behind it. HealthHub defines it as crying for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for more than three weeks. It usually starts a few weeks after birth and eases by three to four months. HealthHub reminds parents that it is temporary.
| What it is | Long crying spells in a well, well-fed baby |
|---|---|
| HealthHub's rule | Over 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks |
| When in the day | Usually late afternoon or evening |
| Starts | At 2 to 4 weeks of age, NUH says |
| Eases | By 3 to 4 months, KKH says |
| Cause | Not known |
How colic differs from ordinary newborn crying
All newborns cry, and more than you might expect. NUH tells new parents that babies cry for 3 to 5 hours a day on average. So a fussy evening on its own is not colic.
What sets colic apart is the pattern. HealthHub says a baby with colic often cries at about the same time every day, usually in the late afternoon or evening, and is very hard to settle. During a bout your baby may curl up the legs, clench the fists and tighten the tummy, then pass gas or poo near the end. KKH adds that a colicky baby may look hungry but is not calmed by a feed, and is well at other times, feeding and growing normally.
Before you settle on colic, run through the usual reasons. KKH lists hunger as the most common cause of crying, followed by a wet or dirty nappy, nappy rash, being too hot or cold, and loneliness. HealthHub uses three weeks of crying for its definition. The NHS is looser and calls it colic after at least one week.
What helps a colicky baby settle
No one trick works every time, so keep a few in rotation. HealthHub suggests small, frequent feeds with burping after, a pacifier, holding your baby close, gentle rocking, singing, or laying your baby tummy down across your knees and swaying slowly. KKH adds lullabies or soft music, rhythmic pats on the back and a quiet room with little handling. Some babies settle in the car.
NUH suggests burping after each ounce of formula, or every five minutes of breastfeeding, and gently massaging the lower tummy for wind.
You probably do not need to change what your baby drinks. KKH says changing formula is usually not necessary, and the NHS says breastfeeding mothers do not need to change their diet. On remedies, HealthHub says simethicone has not been shown to be very useful for colic and that probiotics need more research. The NHS goes further: it says there is no evidence anti-colic drops, herbal or probiotic supplements help. Our guide to colic, reflux and gripe water goes through each one.
Getting through the colic weeks yourself
Colic is hard on parents. HealthHub suggests handing over to your spouse or family for a break, and talking to your partner or a friend about how you feel.
Never shake your baby, however tired you are. HealthHub warns that shaking a newborn can cause bleeding or swelling in the brain, and even death. The NHS lists finding it hard to cope as a reason to see a doctor, on its own.
When the crying needs a doctor
KKH says medical causes of long crying are rare, and usually come with poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. A doctor's check is how they are ruled out. NUH says to see a doctor if your baby seems to be in pain or unwell, or cries constantly for more than three hours.
The NHS also flags a baby who is not growing or putting on weight as expected, and colic that is still there after 4 months. It says to go to A&E if your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry, or a cry that does not sound like their normal one.
A temperature changes things. NUH treats fever in a baby under 3 months as a medical emergency. Read fever in a newborn for the numbers to watch.
Frequently asked questions
What is colic in a baby?
It is a name for long, intense crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy, with no medical cause found. HealthHub's rule is more than three hours a day, three days a week, for more than three weeks.
How long does colic last?
KKH says evening colic goes away on its own by 3 to 4 months, without treatment. HealthHub says it often improves at three months and has resolved in 90 percent of babies by nine months.
Is my breast milk or formula causing the colic?
Usually not. The cause of colic is not known. KKH says changing formula is usually not necessary, and the NHS says you do not need to change your diet if you are breastfeeding. If you suspect an allergy, ask your doctor before switching anything.
Do colic drops work?
The evidence is weak. HealthHub says simethicone has not been shown to be very useful for colic, and the NHS says there is no evidence anti-colic drops help. KKH says colic drops may help some babies. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine.
Related terms
- Cluster Feeding: When your baby feeds again and again over a few hours, usually in the evening. Normal, and it builds supply.
- Fever in a Newborn: A raised temperature in a baby under 3 months, which Singapore hospitals treat as a reason to come in straight away.
- Swaddling: Wrapping a newborn snugly in a thin cloth to calm the startle reflex. Always on the back, loose at the hips.
- Neonate (Newborn): The medical word for a newborn baby in the first 28 days of life.
- Polyclinic: A public primary care clinic with subsidised fees, where Singapore families can take children for jabs and checks.
