It's 6 p.m. and it starts again: your baby goes red, pulls their knees up to their tummy and cries in a way nothing seems to fix — not feeding, not rocking, not a fresh diaper. If that sounds familiar, you are far from alone. Colic and gas are among the most common reasons for long crying spells in the first months, and among the most draining things new parents go through.
The reassuring part: colic is not dangerous, colicky babies keep feeding and growing, and it passes on its own. This guide covers how to recognize colic, what genuinely helps (and what doesn't), how to tell it apart from other causes of crying, and when crying is a reason to call your pediatrician.
What is colic? The "rule of 3"
Colic means long, intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby, with no clear medical cause. The classic definition is the "rule of 3": crying for more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, in a baby who is otherwise well, feeding and gaining weight.
Colic usually starts in the first few weeks of life, peaks around 6 weeks and improves for most babies by 3 to 4 months. For some it lasts until about 5 months.
Typical signs
- Crying at predictable times, most often late afternoon and evening.
- A red face, clenched fists and loud, "angry" crying.
- Knees pulled up to the tummy or an arched back.
- A tight or rumbling tummy and lots of wind.
- Very hard to soothe, even after a feed, a diaper change and rocking.
Colic, gas or something else?
Not every crying spell is colic. This table can point you in the right direction — it is not a substitute for seeing a doctor:
| What you see | What it may be |
|---|---|
| Long evening crying in a healthy baby who feeds and gains weight | Colic |
| Rooting, hands to mouth, lip smacking | Hunger — see baby hunger cues |
| Eye rubbing, yawning, staring into space | Tiredness — see how much babies sleep by age |
| Frequent spit-up, crying and arching during or right after feeds | Possibly reflux — worth asking your doctor |
| Fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, unusual sleepiness | Not colic — contact a doctor |
Why does it happen?
Nobody knows exactly what causes colic. The leading theories are a digestive system that is still maturing, air swallowed while feeding or crying, and a young nervous system that struggles to wind down after a day of stimulation — which would explain why the crying clusters in the evening. In a small number of babies, long crying is linked to cow's milk protein allergy or reflux, which is why your pediatrician should know the full picture.
What helps soothe a colicky or gassy baby
There is no cure for colic; the goal is relief. Try a few approaches and see what works for your baby:
- Hold and cuddle — closeness calms. A soft carrier makes long stretches easier on your arms.
- Feed in a more upright position to reduce swallowed air, and check the latch or the bottle nipple flow.
- Burp during and after every feed.
- Tummy massage in gentle clockwise circles, and "bicycle legs" — softly moving the legs towards the tummy, one at a time.
- Rhythm and motion — slow walking, gentle rocking over your shoulder or in the stroller.
- A warm bath and quiet white noise in the background.
- Less stimulation in the evening: dim lights, fewer visitors, less passing from arm to arm.
About drops, supplements and diet changes: anti-colic drops, herbal remedies and probiotics are widely sold, but there is no strong evidence that they help colic. Don't switch formula or cut foods from your diet while breastfeeding on your own — do it only on the advice of your pediatrician or health visitor.
You need a break too
Hours of crying you can't stop wear down every parent. It is normal and sensible to take shifts: one of you soothes, the other rests, and you swap. If you feel you are reaching your limit, put your baby down on their back in a safe crib, step out of the room for a few minutes, breathe, and call someone you trust.
Never shake a baby. Shaking, even for a second and out of exhaustion, can cause serious brain injury. If the crying overwhelms you, it is always better to put your baby down safely and step away for a moment.
When to call your pediatrician
Colic is a diagnosis for a "healthy baby who cries". Contact your doctor promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Fever — in a baby under 3 months, a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical advice.
- Vomiting that is repeated or forceful (not ordinary spit-up), especially green vomit.
- Blood in the stool or diarrhea.
- Refusing feeds, fewer wet diapers, or not gaining weight.
- A baby who is very sleepy, floppy or hard to wake; a weak or unusually high-pitched cry.
- Breathing difficulty or a change in skin color.
- Crying that starts suddenly in a previously settled baby, or continues past 4 to 5 months.
And even without warning signs — if you are worried, call. A parent's instinct is reason enough.
How tracking helps — and why to do it together
"They cry all the time" is hard for a doctor to work with. A few days of logging — when the crying started, how long it lasted, when the last feed was, what was in the diaper — turns a feeling into a clear picture: does the crying really cluster in the evening, is it linked to feeds, is it slowly easing? That is exactly what a baby tracker app gives you, ready to show your pediatrician.
With colic, more than ever, the baby is passed from one pair of arms to the next: mom, dad, grandma. When every caregiver logs in the same app in real time, everyone knows when the baby last fed, whether they were burped and when the diaper was changed — and nobody "tops up" a baby who has just eaten. If you breastfeed, a breastfeeding log with side and duration also reveals short, frequent feeds that tend to come with a lot of swallowed air.
Log crying, feeds and diapers with Trackeron
One-tap logging, clear charts to show your doctor, and real-time family sharing with your partner, grandparents or nanny, so the whole care circle sees the same timeline. Free to download; family sharing is part of Premium.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my baby has colic?
Doctors use the "rule of 3": crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy, feeding well and gaining weight. The crying usually clusters in the evening and comes with a red face, clenched fists and knees pulled up. Your pediatrician makes the diagnosis.
How long does colic last?
Colic usually starts in the first few weeks, peaks around 6 weeks and gets better for most babies by 3 to 4 months. Some babies have it until about 5 months. Long crying spells beyond that age are worth checking with a doctor.
Do anti-colic drops work?
Anti-colic drops, herbal remedies and probiotics are popular, but there is no strong evidence that they help colic. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist before giving your baby any product.
Can my diet cause gas in my breastfed baby?
For most babies, what a breastfeeding parent eats does not cause colic. A small number of babies react to cow's milk protein. Don't cut foods on your own; talk to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant first.
When is crying a reason to see a doctor?
Call if there is a fever (38°C / 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months needs urgent advice), repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, refusing feeds, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness or floppiness, breathing difficulty, or crying that starts suddenly. And whenever you are worried.