What Exactly Is Colic?
Pediatricians define colic as crying ≥ 3 hours a day, ≥ 3 days a week, for ≥ 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy baby.¹ Episodes usually peak at six weeks, taper at three months, and disappear by five months. While the cause remains multifactorial—immature gut nerves, gas, parental anxiety feedback—colic is temporary. The challenge is surviving 7 p.m. to midnight without exhaustion or guilt.
Fast Checklist: Rule Out Medical Causes First
| Symptom | Possible Issue | Action |
| Projectile vomiting | Pyloric stenosis | Same‑day pediatric visit |
| Bloody stool | Milk‑protein allergy | Switch formulas, test stool |
| Fever > 100.4 °F (38 °C) | Infection | ER for newborns under 2 months |
| Poor weight gain | Feeding difficulty | Lactation or feeding eval |
Once red flags are excluded, focus shifts to comfort strategies rather than cures.
Five Evidence‑Backed Newborn Colic Remedies
1. The 5 S’s Reset by Dr. Harvey Karp
Swaddle + Side/Stomach hold + Shush + Swing + Suck.
A 2023 randomized trial showed the 5 S’s cut crying time by 40 percent versus standard rocking.² Swaddle snug from neck to toes, tilt baby at 45° on your forearm, hiss loudly near the ear, jiggle hips in 1‑inch motions, then offer a pacifier once the jaw relaxes.
2. Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri
Daily drops of 1 × 10⁸ CFU reduced colic duration by 30 minutes/day in breastfed infants after three weeks.³ Formula‑fed results are mixed; still, your pediatrician may suggest a trial (look for strains DSM 17938 or ATCC 55730).
3. Maternal Diet Tweaks
Eliminate cow’s‑milk protein for two weeks if nursing; many babies show less gas and arching. Replace with calcium‑fortified oat or almond beverages. For formula feeders, hydrolyzed protein blends like Enfamil Nutramigen often calm cramps within 72 hours.
4. Responsive Feeding Schedule
Newborn tummies empty in 90 minutes. Cluster feed from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (quick 10‑minute top‑ups every hour). Full bellies make bubble rises gentler and shorten crying spells.
5. Motion + White Noise “Colic Circuit”
Strap baby in a properly inclined car seat, place atop an unplugged dryer, and play broadband white noise (50–60 dB). The combination mimics womb vibrations without unsafe sleeping surfaces. Limit to 15‑minute intervals; never leave unattended.
Sample Evening Routine: 4‑Hour Cry‑Prevention Plan
| Time | Action | Why It Works |
| 5:30 p.m. | Warm bath (5 min) | Lowers cortisol, relaxes muscles |
| 5:45 p.m. | Cluster feed #1 | Fills stomach pre‑cry window |
| 6:15 p.m. | Burp + upright cuddle (15 min) | Lets air rise |
| 6:30 p.m. | Swaddle & babywear walk | Motion triggers calming reflex |
| 7:15 p.m. | Cluster feed #2 | Second calorie top‑up |
| 8:00 p.m. | Dim lights + white‑noise crib | Supports melatonin rise |
| 8:30 p.m. | Partner takeover—5 S’s as needed | Parent break prevents burnout |
Repeat feeds if hunger cues (rooting, lip smacking) return sooner.
Myth‑Busting Corner
Myth 1: “Gripe water cures colic.”
Reality: Herbal mixtures lack FDA oversight; some contain alcohol or sodium bicarbonate, which alter stomach acid.
Myth 2: “Babies cry to manipulate.”
Reality: Neurologically impossible—crying is the only distress signal, not a negotiation tactic.
Myth 3: “Switch to soy; it’s gentler.”
Reality: Up to 60 percent of milk‑protein–allergic infants also react to soy.
For a deeper science dive, see the Cochrane Review on colic treatments (opens new tab).
Parent Self‑Care: The Sixth Remedy
Colic quadruples parental depression risk.⁴ Protect mental health:
- Tag‑team care – 30‑minute breaks reset patience.
- Noise‑canceling headphones – lowers stress when soothing persists.
- Safe‑place rule – if frustration peaks, place baby in crib and step outside for 5 minutes.
Our New‑Parent Coaching Sessions teach these coping tactics hands‑on.
When to Seek Professional Help
| Situation | Next Step |
| Crying spells intensify after 3 months | Developmental or GI review |
| Arching, stiff legs, or back after feeds | Evaluate for reflux or dairy allergy |
| Dropping percentiles on growth chart | Weight check, feeding plan |
| Parental exhaustion impacting safety | Home‑health nurse referral or respite care |
Same‑day sick slots let us weigh, examine, and run a quick stool guaiac if blood is suspected.
External Resources for 2 a.m. Support
- PURPLE Crying Program – Teaches normal crying timelines, reducing shaking injury risk.
- La Leche League Helpline – 24/7 lactation and soothing advice.
Both open in new tabs to keep this article accessible.
Colic Fades—Skills Last
Tonight’s marathon cry can feel endless, yet most colicky infants laugh by month four. The soothing rhythms you master now transform into comforting bedtime routines later, building resilience for parent and child.
Need Personalized Help?
New‑parent coaching sessions available—learn swaddling tweaks, feeding hacks, and stress‑buster holds from our certified team.
