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Colic

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Colic is excessive crying in a baby with no obvious cause. During these episodes, it is hard to console the baby. This intense crying occurs regularly over at least a few weeks. It is more common at night.

Colic can start as early as 2 weeks of age. It is the worst at 6 weeks. Colic often disappears by age 5 months.

Causes

The exact cause of colic is not known.

Colic-like crying can be caused by certain common problems, including hair or thread becoming tightly wound around an infant's toe or finger. Your doctor will look for these issues.

Risk Factors

Colic is most common in babies 2 weeks to 4 months old. Other factors that increase your baby's chance for colic include:

Mother smoking during pregnancy or after birth
Sensitive temperament

Symptoms

These symptoms may be caused by colic or other discomforts. Some may not require medical care. Talk to your doctor if your baby is having symptoms such as:

Loud crying that may last for several hours
Inability to be consoled
Turning red from crying
Pulling arms and legs toward body and then stretching limbs out
Passing gas or burping due to swallowing air while crying

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your baby's medical history and symptoms. A physical exam will be done. Your baby's weight or weight change will also be checked. Let the doctor know how your baby acts during colic, how long colic lasts, and when it occurs.

The doctor will consider other conditions that may cause inconsolable crying, such as:

Allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to certain formulas, lactose intolerance, or gas
Feeding problems
Problems with sleep cycles or processing things in the environment
Constipation
Illness such as an ear infection
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Hernia
Blockage of the intestinal tract

To help determine if your baby has colic or another condition, your doctor may ask:

Is your baby eating well?
Is your baby producing 5 to 8 very wet diapers each day?
Is your baby producing stool normally?
Is your baby having colic-free periods?
Does your baby have a fever?

Treatment

A treatment plan will be chosen based on your baby's condition. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment that cures colic. There are steps you can take to help reduce the discomfort your baby feels.

Support for Baby

Make changes during feeding time:

If breastfed, consider making changes to the mother's diet. This may include avoiding cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and fish.
If bottle-fed, consider using a whey hydrolysate formula. Make sure to warm the formula before giving it to your baby.
Bottle feedings may need to be slowed down. Try using a nipple with a smaller hole.
Burp your baby well after feeding.
Feed your baby in a more upright position. This position will keep gas in your baby's stomach. Gas in the stomach is more easily burped up.

Friendly bacteria known as probiotics may be helpful. Talk to your doctor about which probiotic may be right for your child

There are a number of herbal alternative treatments available, but they can cause side effects. Check with your doctor before giving your baby any herbs or supplements.

Other strategies that may help include:

Take your baby for a walk or for a ride in the car. Try a baby safe swing.
Position your baby on the tummy, across your lap. Gently rub your baby's back.
Consider learning baby massage.
Swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.
Rock your baby in a rocking chair or in your arms. Hold your baby close and bounce or walk gently.
Bathe your baby in warm water.
Let your baby use a pacifier.
Make sure your baby isn't too warm or cold.
Try skin-to-skin contact.

Support for Parents

It is upsetting to see your baby crying and not being able to help. The high-pitched crying of a colicky baby is also difficult for anyone to listen to. Try to keep in mind that most babies with colic are healthy. Most will outgrow colic by 3-4 months of age. Know that it is not your fault that the baby does not stop crying. To help you get through this period consider:

Taking some time to distract yourself from the intensity of the crying. Place your baby in a safe crib and go to a nearby room to watch television or listen to music.
Taking a break. Ask your family members, friends, or a sitter to help care for your baby.

If you ever feel angry or violent towards the baby, put your baby in a safe place and step out of the room. Call someone for help right away, like your doctor. There are many services available to help you deal with your emotions. The doctor can refer you to these services.

Prevention

Probiotics may help to prevent colic in some infants. Talk to the doctor about whether this is an option for your baby.

RESOURCES:

Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.healthychildren.org

Kids Health—Nemours Foundation
http://www.kidshealth.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

About Kids Health—The Hospital for Sick Children
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca

Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca

References:

Colic. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated February 2017. Accessed March 19, 2018.

Colic. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated November 21, 2015. Accessed March 19, 2018.

Infantile colic. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113646/Infantile-colic . Updated February 7, 2017. Accessed March 19, 2018.

5/14/2010 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113646/Infantile-colic : Aviner S, Berkovitch M, et al. Use of a homeopathic preparation for "infantile colic" and an apparent life-threatening event. Pediatrics. 2010;125(2):e318-323.

8/23/2010 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113646/Infantile-colic : Savino F, Cordisco L, et al. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17 938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2010;126(3):e526-e533.

4/7/2014 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113646/Infantile-colic : Indrio F, Di Mauro A, et al. Prophylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168(3):228-233.

Last reviewed March 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Kari Kassir, MD
Last Updated: 5/5/2014

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