Colic

Published by Bupa's Health Information Team, March 2011.

This factsheet is for parents of babies who have colic, or for anyone who would like information about it.

Colic is inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy newborn baby. A baby with colic cries more often and for longer than other babies. Colic usually gets better on its own and most babies ‘grow out of it’ by the age of six months.

About colic

Colic is a common condition in babies. As many as one in five babies have colic in the first few months of life. Colic affects boys and girls, and babies who are breastfed and those who are bottle-fed equally.

It’s not known what causes colic, but it’s usually harmless and lasts for a few months before getting better on its own. However, it can be very upsetting for parents and carers.

Symptoms of colic

Colic usually starts when your baby is a few weeks old and the symptoms last for a few months. Most babies ‘grow out of it’ by the age of three or four months, or six months at the latest.

Your baby may cry for several hours a day and you might find it hard to soothe or comfort him or her. A baby with colic can cry at any time of the day, but you may find that it’s worse in the late afternoon or evening. Although colic isn't thought to be painful for your baby, he or she may look uncomfortable. Your baby may:

• arch his or her back
• draw up the legs to his or her abdomen (tummy)
• become stiff
• pass wind
• clench his or her fists

If your baby has colic, he or she should still feed well and gain weight. If your baby doesn't do this, see your health visitor or GP.

You may find the symptoms of colic very stressful to manage, especially if it’s your first child. It can be difficult to cope with the constant crying, or to comfort your baby, so it’s important to look after yourself, get support and to take a break if things get on top of you.

Causes of colic

The exact reasons why your baby may develop colic aren't fully understood at present. However, there are a number of possible causes. The main ones are listed below.

• If you smoke during pregnancy, your baby may be more likely to get colic.
• Your baby may have painful indigestion or wind.
• Your baby may be sensitive to either lactose in breast milk or cows’ milk protein in formula milk. This can cause intolerance while your baby’s digestive system is developing during the first few months of life.
• Your baby may be more sensitive than other babies. This can mean that he or she is more sensitive to their environment or to being over-stimulated.

Diagnosis of colic

If you’re worried about your baby’s crying, get advice from your GP or health visitor to make sure there isn’t a more serious health problem.

Before you see your GP, think about anything else that may be causing your baby to cry. Some of the main causes of crying are listed below.

• Wind. If you’re bottle-feeding your baby, sit him or her upright when you feed him or her. This cuts down the amount of air your baby takes in during feeds and may help to prevent wind. Your health visitor will be able to show you how to do this. Burping your baby will also help to get rid of wind.
• Hunger or thirst. Talk to your health visitor about whether your baby is feeding enough.
• Temperature. Check whether your baby is too hot or too cold. Keep the room temperature at 18°C if possible.
• Itchiness. Itchy clothes, labels or eczema can irritate your baby.
• Pain, such as nappy rash.

If your baby continues to cry, see your GP or health visitor. He or she will examine your baby and ask you about your baby’s behaviour. This will help to rule out other illnesses or causes of crying.

Doctors usually make a diagnosis of colic if your baby cries for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for a period of more than three weeks.

Treatment of colic

There is no single treatment for colic that works for every baby. Different babies are comforted in different ways, and you may need to try a few methods to see what works best. In time, colic will stop and your baby’s crying will get better after a few months.

Self-help

You may find the following techniques helpful to soothe your baby.

• Hold your baby and walk or dance around with him or her. Babies need lots of contact and like the movement.
• Carry your baby in a front sling or backpack.
• Try using a baby swing.
• Sing softly, play music and talk to your baby.
• You may want to change your baby’s position by propping him or her up, so he or she can look around more.
• Try to soothe your baby with continuous noise or vibrations, for example the noise from a vacuum cleaner or washing machine, or from running water.
• Take your baby for a drive in the car or a walk in the buggy.
• Give your baby a dummy to suck on.
• Bathe your baby – the warm water may be comforting.

Your GP or health visitor may also suggest changing your diet or your baby’s diet. This may help if your baby is sensitive to lactose or to cows’ milk protein.

If you’re breastfeeding your baby, try cutting out caffeinated drinks or cows’ milk and dairy foods for a week to see whether your baby’s symptoms get better.

If you’re bottle-feeding your baby, your GP or health visitor may suggest changing the size of the hole in the teat, as too small a teat can cause your baby to swallow air. Your GP or health visitor may also recommend changing to a different formula, called a hypoallergenic formula, for one week. If your baby’s symptoms don’t get better, you can go back to your usual formula milk.

You can also try adding lactase drops to milk during feeds. Lactase breaks down lactose and may help to improve your baby’s symptoms. You can add lactase drops to bottle feeds of formula or breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding, add the drops to a small amount of expressed milk and give it to your baby using a sterilised teaspoon. Try this for one week to see if the symptoms get better. You can buy lactase from a pharmacy. Always read the patient information leaflet and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Don't cut out any foods from your diet without speaking to your GP or health visitor first.

Medicines

A medicine called simeticone may help to improve the symptoms of colic, but doctors don’t know how well it works. Simeticone is given as a liquid, which you add to milk. It’s used to relieve trapped wind.

Try simeticone for one week to see if there is any improvement in your baby’s symptoms.

Complementary therapies

Some people believe that chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy or cranial osteopathy can help to relieve the symptoms of colic. However, there is little evidence that these treatments work.

Aromatherapy and abdominal massage are also used as treatments for colic. However, there is also little evidence that these treatments work. Always ask the advice of a qualified practitioner as some aromatherapy, massage oils and complementary therapies can be harmful to babies.

For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.

For sources and links to further information, see Resources.

Help and support

Caring for a baby with colic can be very stressful, frustrating and challenging for any parent or carer, particularly if it's your first child. If you're feeling frustrated and upset because you can't comfort your baby, leave him or her somewhere safe, such as a cot, for a few minutes and go into another room to calm down. Taking a short break can stop you from getting more upset.

If you feel overwhelmed, ask a partner, family member or friend to take over for a while, even for just an hour or two, so you can have a proper break from your baby's crying.

It's good to get out and meet other parents with babies of a similar age, so ask your health visitor for information about playgroups.

For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.

For sources and links to further information, see Resources.