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)
Last reviewed: 16 June 2026
Colic can be exhausting, but it is not caused by poor parenting.
Many healthy babies have periods of intense crying. The priority is to check for illness, feed safely, soothe gently, and protect caregiver wellbeing.
What is infant colic?
Infant colic is a pattern of repeated intense crying or fussiness in an otherwise well baby, often worse in the evening. The baby may clench fists, draw up legs, pass gas, or seem hard to settle.
Colic is a diagnosis made after checking that the baby is feeding, growing, passing urine and stools, breathing normally, and has no signs of illness or injury.
Normal vs concerning features
| Can fit colic | Not typical colic |
|---|---|
| Baby has predictable crying spells but feeds and grows well between episodes. | Fever, low temperature, lethargy, poor feeding, breathing difficulty, or baby looks unwell. |
| Crying improves at times with holding, motion, burping, or a quieter room. | Persistent vomiting, green vomit, blood in stool, swollen abdomen, or dehydration signs. |
| Baby has normal urine and stool pattern and normal alert periods. | Poor weight gain, reduced urine, inconsolable crying, abnormal movements, or concern for injury. |
Practical parent guidance
- Check simple needs first: hunger, nappy, temperature, burping, tiredness, overstimulation, and clothing that is too tight.
- Try one soothing method at a time: holding, gentle rocking, a quiet darkened room, soft voice, or a walk while safely carrying the baby.
- Keep feeds calm. Ask for feeding review if there is choking, coughing, painful breastfeeding, poor latch, vomiting, or poor weight gain.
- Share caregiving when possible. A calm handover is safer than pushing through exhaustion.
- If you feel overwhelmed, place the baby on the back in a safe sleep space and take a short break nearby or call a trusted adult.
Home care / safe care advice
- Never shake, slap, toss, or roughly handle a crying baby.
- Avoid smoke, strong smells, excessive noise, and overstimulation.
- Do not give gripe water, herbal mixtures, over-the-counter medicines, or sedating products unless prescribed.
- Keep safe sleep for every sleep: baby on the back, firm flat surface, no pillows or loose bedding.
- Attend routine weight and health checks so feeding and growth can be reviewed.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Use gentle soothing, safe sleep breaks, and caregiver support. | Do not shake or handle the baby roughly, even when exhausted. |
| Seek medical review if crying feels different, severe, or associated with illness signs. | Do not assume all intense crying is colic. |
| Review feeding, weight, urine, stool, and reflux-like symptoms with a clinician if worried. | Do not start medicines, herbal products, or formula changes without medical guidance. |
Feeding, sleep, hygiene, and follow-up
- Continue breastfeeding or formula as advised; avoid frequent changes without review.
- Burp gently if the baby seems uncomfortable during or after feeds.
- Keep sleep spaces safe, especially when parents are tired at night.
- Maintain hand hygiene and keep unwell visitors away from young infants.
- Arrange follow-up if crying is worsening, family stress is high, or feeding and growth need review.
When to see a doctor
- Crying is new, worsening, very high-pitched, or feels different from usual.
- There are feeding problems, vomiting, reflux concerns, blood in stool, constipation with distress, or poor weight gain.
- Parents are exhausted, anxious, low in mood, or worried they may not cope safely.
- You are considering medicines, herbal products, diet changes, or formula changes.
Red flags / urgent care
Seek urgent medical review if crying occurs with any of these signs:
- Fever, unusually low temperature, lethargy, floppy baby, seizures, or baby looks unwell.
- Poor feeding, reduced urine, dehydration signs, poor weight gain, or persistent vomiting.
- Green vomit, blood in stool, swollen abdomen, or severe diarrhoea.
- Breathing difficulty, blue colour, pauses in breathing, or choking episodes.
- Inconsolable crying, suspected injury, or any parental concern that something is seriously wrong.
Medical disclaimer
General education only
This guide does not diagnose colic or rule out illness, injury, allergy, reflux disease, feeding problems, or infection. It does not replace medical review, emergency care, or individualized advice.
References
- RCH Kids Health Info. Crying babies guidance. Accessed 21 May 2026.
- NHS. Colic guidance. Accessed 21 May 2026.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Crying and colic guidance. Accessed 21 May 2026.
- CDC. Infant safety guidance. Accessed 21 May 2026.
Last reviewed: 16 June 2026.
© Dr. Murali Gopal | For Patient Education Only This educational material is intended for parent and patient education. Reproduction, redistribution, or modification without permission is not allowed.
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