Baby colic is one of the most stressful things a new parent can face. It causes intense, repeated crying in otherwise healthy infants, usually between three weeks and three months of age. If your baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for at least three weeks — and nothing seems to help — colic may be the reason. In this article, you will learn what causes colic, how it is diagnosed, and when to reach out to your family doctor or a walk-in clinic.
What Is Baby Colic?
Colic is not a disease. It is a pattern of excessive, hard-to-explain crying in young infants who are otherwise healthy and well-fed. Doctors often define it using the “rule of threes”: crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks.
Both normal crying and colic usually begin between six and eight weeks of age. However, colic crying is louder, more intense, and much harder to soothe. Most cases gradually improve on their own between eight and fourteen weeks.
It is important to know that colic is very common. According to Mayo Clinic’s overview of colic, it affects roughly one in five infants, regardless of whether they are breastfed or formula-fed.
What Causes Baby Colic?
The exact cause of baby colic is not fully understood. However, research suggests it likely results from a combination of factors rather than a single cause.
An Immature Nervous System
Newborns have nervous systems that are still developing. Some babies are more sensitive to stimulation than others. As a result, they cry more easily and find it harder to settle down once they start. As babies grow and their nervous systems mature, their ability to self-soothe improves significantly.
Digestive Discomfort
Temporary symptoms like gas and bloating can make a colicky episode worse. In rare cases, excessive crying that first appears to be colic may later be linked to cow’s milk protein intolerance or fructose intolerance. Certain medications passed through breast milk can also play a role in some infants.
Environmental Factors
A baby’s environment and temperament both contribute to colic. Overstimulation from noise, light, or activity can trigger or worsen crying episodes. Furthermore, research has shown that smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk of colic in newborns. Health Canada’s guidance on smoking and children’s health outlines why avoiding tobacco exposure during and after pregnancy matters for your baby’s wellbeing.
Recognising Baby Colic Symptoms
Understanding what colic looks and sounds like can help you tell it apart from normal infant crying. The crying in colic has several distinct characteristics.
How Colic Crying Looks
During a colicky episode, your baby may clench their fists, tighten their stomach muscles, and pull their legs up toward their chest. Some babies arch their back. The crying is typically loud, high-pitched, and continuous. It often starts in the late afternoon or evening, though the timing can vary from day to day.
How Colic Differs From Normal Crying
Normal crying in infants tends to ease when you pick them up, feed them, or give them attention. Babies with colic are much harder to console. They do not settle easily, and the episodes last longer than typical crying spells.
Most colicky babies gradually improve starting at six to eight weeks. However, about 30 percent of babies with colic continue the behaviour until around four months of age.
Diagnosing Baby Colic
There is no single test for colic. Your baby’s doctor will diagnose it based on their crying pattern, overall health, and a physical examination. The goal is to rule out other medical causes first.
What Your Doctor Will Ask
Your doctor will ask about your baby’s feeding habits, sleep patterns, and what you have already tried to soothe them. They will also ask whether you are noticing any other symptoms alongside the crying. It can be very helpful to keep a simple diary before your appointment, noting when the crying happens, how long it lasts, and anything that seems to help or make it worse.
When Tests Are Needed
In most cases, no lab tests or imaging are required. However, if your baby also has symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, blood or mucus in their stool, or a fever, your doctor may order blood tests or other investigations. These symptoms are not part of colic and point to a different underlying cause.
For a deeper look at how infant crying patterns are assessed, Healthline’s guide to colic in babies provides a helpful breakdown of the diagnostic process.
How to Soothe a Baby With Colic
There is no proven cure for colic, but several strategies may help reduce the intensity or duration of crying episodes. Every baby is different, so it may take some trial and error to find what works for yours.
Comfort Techniques to Try
Gentle motion: Rocking, swinging, or going for a drive can help calm some babies.
White noise: Steady background sounds like a fan, a white noise machine, or a running dishwasher may soothe your baby.
Tummy pressure: Gently laying your baby face-down across your forearm, with light pressure on their belly, can offer relief from gas.
Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby close to your chest can be calming for both of you.
Feeding adjustments: If you are breastfeeding, speak to your doctor about whether any foods in your diet might be contributing. If your baby is formula-fed, ask about trying a hydrolyzed formula.
Taking Care of Yourself Too
Colic is exhausting for parents and caregivers. It is completely normal to feel frustrated, anxious, or overwhelmed. If you are feeling persistent sadness, anxiety, or fear that you cannot cope, please speak to your family doctor. Postpartum mental health support is available across Canada through your provincial health plan, and you deserve care too.
When to See a Doctor About Baby Colic
You should always trust your instincts as a parent. If something feels wrong, it is worth getting it checked. Most walk-in clinics across Canada can assess infants, and you do not need to wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If Your Baby
Is crying in an unusual way for an extended period of time
Has a fever along with excessive crying
Is vomiting repeatedly or has diarrhea
Has blood or mucus in their stool
Was already diagnosed with colic but is now showing new or worsening symptoms
Book an Appointment With Your Family Doctor If
Your baby is not gaining weight as expected
You have tried many soothing methods and nothing is working
Your baby seems unwell beyond just crying
You are feeling overwhelmed and need support and guidance
Your family doctor, a paediatrician, or a nurse practitioner covered under your provincial health plan can all assess your baby and provide guidance. You do not need to manage this alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Colic
How long does baby colic last?
Baby colic typically starts between six and eight weeks of age and gradually improves on its own between eight and fourteen weeks. In about 30 percent of cases, colic behaviour continues until around four months. Most babies fully outgrow it without any treatment.
Is baby colic painful for the infant?
Colic is not believed to cause lasting harm to babies, but the intense crying suggests real discomfort. Temporary issues like gas and bloating can worsen a colicky episode. Reassuringly, baby colic resolves on its own and does not have long-term health effects.
Can diet affect baby colic in breastfed infants?
In some cases, foods in a breastfeeding parent’s diet — such as dairy, caffeine, or certain vegetables — may worsen colic symptoms. However, this is not the cause in most babies with colic. Speak with your family doctor or a lactation consultant before making major dietary changes.
Is baby colic more common in formula-fed babies?
Baby colic affects breastfed and formula-fed infants at roughly equal rates. There is no strong evidence that one feeding method causes more colic than the other. If you suspect formula is a factor, talk to your doctor before switching brands or types.
What is the difference between colic and normal newborn crying?
Normal newborn crying tends to ease when the baby is fed, held, or comforted. Baby colic involves louder, more intense crying that is very hard to soothe, lasting more than three hours a day on most days of the week. The key difference is the frequency, duration, and intensity of the crying episodes.
Should I go to a walk-in clinic for baby colic?
Yes, a walk-in clinic is a good option if you cannot get a timely appointment with your family doctor and you are worried about your baby’s crying. Walk-in clinic doctors across Canada can assess infants and help rule out other causes. Always seek emergency care if your baby has a fever, is vomiting, or seems seriously unwell.
Key Takeaways
Baby colic is defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks in an otherwise healthy infant.
Colic is thought to result from a combination of an immature nervous system, infant temperament, and environmental factors — not a digestive disease.
Symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the stool are not signs of colic and need prompt medical attention.
Most cases of baby colic resolve gradually between eight and fourteen weeks of age.
Soothing techniques like gentle motion, white noise, and skin-to-skin contact can help, though results vary between babies.
Your family doctor, paediatrician, or a walk-in clinic covered by your provincial health plan can assess your baby and support you through this challenging time.
Parent wellbeing matters too — do not hesitate to ask for mental health support if you are struggling.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your family doctor or a qualified healthcare provider if you have concerns about your baby’s health or behaviour.
