Clinical Portal 2026 Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Colic in Babies

Crying support without unsafe remedies.

Parent Guide Reviewed

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)

Crying can be exhausting. Colic-like crying can happen in otherwise healthy babies, but red flags must be ruled out first, especially in young infants and newborns.

What is colic?

Colic is frequent, hard-to-soothe crying in an otherwise well baby. It often occurs in the evening and usually improves with age. A clinician should review young babies if symptoms are severe, unusual, or worrying.

What parents may notice

  • Long periods of crying or fussiness, often at a similar time each day.
  • Baby may pull legs up, clench fists, pass gas, or look uncomfortable.
  • Baby feeds, grows, passes urine, and appears well between episodes.
  • Parents may feel tired, anxious, helpless, or frustrated.

Home support

  • Check basic needs: hunger, nappy, temperature, burping, tiredness, and need for closeness.
  • Try safe soothing such as holding, gentle rocking, a quiet room, skin-to-skin, soft voice, or a pram walk.
  • Keep feeds calm and avoid force-feeding.
  • Share care with another trusted adult when possible so parents can rest.
  • If you feel overwhelmed, place the baby safely on the back in the cot and get help. Never shake a baby.

Red flags / when to seek medical review

Seek urgent medical review if any of these occur:
  • Fever or low temperature in a newborn, poor feeding, refusal to feed, or reduced urine output.
  • Lethargy, unusual drowsiness, floppy baby, seizures, abnormal movements, high-pitched cry, or inconsolable crying.
  • Breathing difficulty, grunting, chest indrawing, blue lips, or pauses in breathing.
  • Repeated vomiting, green vomit, blood in stool, diarrhoea, or abdominal distension.
  • Jaundice in the first 24 hours, deepening jaundice, poor feeding with jaundice, pale stools, or dark urine.
  • Baby cries more when touched or moved, possible injury, or baby looks very unwell.
  • Parent feels unable to cope or fears they may harm the baby.

Important facts for parents

  • Gripe water, herbal mixtures, sedating medicines, and over-the-counter remedies should not be used without medical advice.
  • Colic is not caused by bad parenting.
  • Responding to a crying baby does not spoil the baby.
  • A baby who cries a lot still deserves clinical review if parents are worried.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide does not diagnose colic, exclude serious illness, or replace medical consultation and examination. Seek urgent care for red-flag symptoms. Final clinical use requires clinician review.

You may also find useful

Related guide: Baby Crying: What is Normal?.

References

  1. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info: Crying and unsettled babies / colic.
  2. Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Guidelines for Parents and newborn/infant education resources.
  3. World Health Organization. Caring for newborns and essential newborn care resources.
  4. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info: Breastfeeding.
  5. American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org. Safe sleep guidance.

Last reviewed: 16 June 2026.

Medical review

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed16 June 2026

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesRoyal Children's Hospital Melbourne Kids Health Info Crying and unsettled babies; Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Parents; World Health Organization newborn care resources; Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne Kids Health Info Breastfeeding; AAP HealthyChildren.org safe sleep guidance.

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.