You’re not alone. Many newborns have a stretch of intense, hard-to-soothe crying during the first months of life. Colic is a pattern of excessive crying in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. It’s common and temporary, and there are gentle ways to help you both through it.
What Is Colic?
Colic describes frequent, prolonged crying that’s hard to calm and not clearly linked to hunger, a dirty nappy, or illness. It often feels worse in the late afternoon or evening, but it can happen at any time.
Typical timeline (every baby is different):
- Onset: often noticed around 2–3 weeks.
- Peak: commonly around 6–8 weeks.
- Improvement: usually by 3–4 months as digestion and sleep patterns mature.
Remember: colic is a crying pattern, not a disease. It can overlap with wind/gas, the witching hour, or reflux-like behaviours, which is why clear signs and soothing strategies help.
Common Signs of Colic
Use these short cues to spot a pattern. If several feel familiar, you may be dealing with colic.
- Intense crying for long stretches: often >2–3 hours in a day, on several days a week.
- Late-day pattern: crying clusters in the afternoon/evening, though timing can vary.
- Hard to soothe: feeding, cuddling, or changing positions helps only briefly.
- Body cues: clenched fists, knees pulled to chest, arching back, tense tummy.
- Wind/gassiness: frequent burps or passing wind; hard to bring up a burp.
- Sleep disruption: short naps; difficult to settle or stay asleep.
- Feeds feel unsettled: on/off the breast or bottle; evening cluster feeds.
- Unpredictable days: big crying days followed by quieter ones.
If you’re unsure, a simple note on your phone tracking crying duration, time of day, feeds, nappies, and what helped can make patterns clearer.
Is It Colic, Witching Hour, or Reflux?
Witching hour (evening fussiness):
- Typically evenings only.
- Cluster feeding is common.
- Baby often settles later in the night when stimulation drops.
- Useful reads: our planned guide to the witching hour (coming soon).
Colic (crying pattern):
- Prolonged crying, several days/week.
- Hard to soothe despite usual comforts.
- Body tension (clenched fists, back arching, knees to chest).
- See soothing tips below and relieve trapped wind.
Reflux-like behaviours:
- Frequent posseting/spit-up, discomfort during/after feeds, back-arching, fussing when lying flat.
- Try upright holds 20–30 minutes post-feed and paced bottle feeding; see red flags below and talk to your GP if concerned.
Allergy/sensitivity flags (seek medical advice):
- Blood or persistent mucus in stool, ongoing rashes/eczema, poor weight gain, recurrent diarrhoea/constipation.
Gentle Ways to Soothe a Fussy, Colicky Baby
These are simple, parent-tested ideas. Try one or two at a time and keep what works.
Burp during and after feeds
- Rotate positions (over shoulder, upright lap sit, tummy-down across knees).
- Step-by-step positions: burp a baby.
Tummy comfort between feeds
- Clockwise tummy massage with warm hands, short gentle sessions.
- Bicycle legs and brief knees-to-tummy holds.
- More ideas: relieve trapped wind.
Feeding tweaks
- Paced bottle feeding; check teat flow to reduce swallowed air.
- If breastfeeding, experiment with latch and positioning.
- Hold upright 20–30 minutes after feeds.
Soothing environment
- Dim lights, reduce stimulation in the evening.
- White noise at a low, steady volume.
- A simple wind-down routine: feed → burp → swaddle/sleeping bag (appropriate TOG) → white noise → upright cuddle → bed.
Comfort holds
- Colic carry / tiger-in-the-tree: baby tummy-down along your forearm, head supported—gentle pressure on the tummy can feel soothing.
- Skin-to-skin resets everyone.
Motion resets
- Slow pram walk, carrier cuddle, or gentle rocking.
How Long Does Colic Last?
There’s wide variation, but many families see improvement by 3–4 months as the gut and nervous system mature. On tough days, think small, repeatable comforts: a quiet room, a quick walk, a steady hold, and frequent burp breaks.
When to Seek Medical Advice – RED FLAGS
Reach out to your GP or child health nurse if you notice any of the following:
- Fever or your baby seems very unwell.
- Fewer than six wet nappies/day after day 5.
- Green/bilious vomit, projectile vomiting, or a severely distended abdomen.
- Persistent blood/mucus in stools.
- Poor feeding, poor weight gain, very lethargic or inconsolable.
- Ongoing concern about allergy/sensitivity (rashes, persistent diarrhoea/constipation).
- Your instincts say something isn’t right.
For product questions, you can contact us.
Gentle Herbal Support
Some families include a gentle option as part of their settling toolkit. Infants’ Friend Colic & Wind Oral Liquid contains chamomile, lemon balm and dill seed oil—ingredients traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to help relieve wind/gas pain, mild indigestion and disturbed/restless sleep in babies. It’s alcohol-free and sugar-free, and suitable from birth when used as directed.
Learn more: Colic & Wind Oral Liquid and how to use Infants’ Friend.
Quick Self-Check Quiz (no diagnosis, just guidance)
Answer these briefly to tailor your next steps:
- Do crying spells often last more than 2–3 hours in a day?
- Are they most intense in late afternoon/evening on several days each week?
- During/after feeds, does baby arch, fuss, or struggle when lying flat?
- Any blood/mucus in stools, frequent rashes/eczema, or poor weight gain?
- Do burp breaks, upright holds, or tummy massage make a difference?
If you answered “yes” to 1–2 and there are no red flags: try the soothing tips above, plus relieve trapped wind and burp a baby.
If reflux-like behaviours stand out: keep baby upright post-feed and consider paced feeding; speak with your GP if concerned.
If red flags are present: contact your GP or child health nurse promptly.
FAQs
What are the main signs of colic in babies?
Prolonged, intense crying that’s hard to soothe; often worse in the late day; body tension (clenched fists, back arching, knees to chest); unsettled sleep and feeds; lots of wind/gassiness.
When does colic start and when does it peak?
Many families notice it around 2–3 weeks, peaking at 6–8 weeks, with improvement by 3–4 months. There’s wide variation.
How is colic different from the witching hour?
Witching hour is mainly evening fussiness and cluster feeding that usually settles later. Colic is repeated prolonged crying across the week and is harder to soothe.
How can I soothe a baby with colic or wind?
Burp during and after feeds, try multiple positions, hold baby upright 20–30 minutes, use tummy massage and bicycle legs, and create a low-stimulation evening. See: relieve trapped wind and burp a baby.
When should I see a doctor about colic-like crying?
If you notice any red flags (fever, bilious or projectile vomit, blood/mucus in stools, poor feeding/weight gain, severe lethargy, or if your instincts say something is wrong), seek medical advice.
Can Infants’ Friend help with wind and tummy discomfort?
It contains ingredients traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to help relieve wind/gas pain, mild indigestion and disturbed/restless sleep in babies. Learn more about Colic & Wind Oral Liquid and how to use Infants’ Friend.
Helpful Next Reads
AUST L 367810. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
