Coping with colic

Colic is characterised as excessive crying or extended and repeated periods of crying or fussing in babies who are otherwise healthy and thriving. Common symptoms in babies usually begin within the first few weeks of life and generally end between the ages of four and six months.

Babies of both sexes are equally affected. Whilst all babies cry from time to time – and it is normal for young babies to need a lot of contact and become upset if put down – a baby with colic will have:

•     Periods of crying or ‘fussing’ almost continuously.
•     A flushed or reddened face.
•     Legs alternating between bent up and straight out.
•     Clenched hands.

Episodes will typically begin in the late afternoon or early evening although they can occur at any time of the day or night. A baby who has colic may appear to be in pain, which is distressing and worrying for parents. Contact your health visitor or GP if you’re concerned.

What causes it?

The causes of colic remain unclear and symptoms vary from baby to baby. However it is thought that it may be related to a baby having difficulties with digestion, or taking in too much air while feeding, leading to pressure in her stomach. The symptoms of colic can begin in the first few weeks and will normally end by the time a baby is around three to four months old, although it can continue up until six months. While there are lots of products available, pharmaceutical treatments have not demonstrated any consistent benefit.

Will colic harm my baby?

A baby who has colic may appear to be in pain but the condition is not harmful to your baby’s health in the long term. Your baby will continue to feed and gain weight normally.

What can I do to help my baby?

There is currently no cure for baby colic, so any treatment will be directed at soothing your baby. Finding ways to stay relaxed or taking turns with a partner or friend to be with your baby during a colicky episode may also help. In addition, you may find it useful to talk to other parents who have had similar experiences. Further ideas include:

• Carrying your baby around with you in a sling can be comforting.

• Bathing your baby in a warm bath can help both soothe and distract him.

• Reducing stimulation in your baby’s environment has also found success in some cases.

It is possible that colic is caused by your baby having difficulty in digesting milk, or by taking in too much air while feeding, which then creates uncomfortable pressure in the stomach. Helping your baby to feed in the best way may lessen the effects of colic (see our articles on feeding):

• For babies who are breastfed, ensure they are well positioned at the breast, and finish the milk in the first breast before moving to the second.
• Babies who are bottle-fed can be ‘winded’ after a feed to help them bring up any air they take in with the milk; an upright position and gentle pressure on the stomach or patting on the back is helpful.
• A small minority of babies may have colic because they react to the proteins in the milk. This can be formula milk or through the mother's milk if they are breastfed. If you have tried other options without success, you could talk to your health visitor or GP about trying a hypoallergenic formula milk for a few weeks or a diet without dairy products if you are breastfeeding to see if this reduces the colic. However, babies who suffer from colic do get better over time so it can be hard to tell if such dietary changes really make a difference.

If your baby begins to show symptoms of colic, it is best to talk to your health visitor or GP, who can check that your baby does not have a more serious condition. Counselling, reassurance and empathetic support from health professionals has also been shown to help parents cope with the distress and concern caused by a frequently crying baby.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NCT’s shop has a wide range of slings for sale.