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Why do babies cry?
Crying is one way that babies try to tell us what they need.
They may be hungry, have a dirty diaper, or just want a little attention.
If a crying baby cannot be comforted, the cause may be colic.
What is colic?
Colic is a word used to describe healthy babies who cry a lot and are hard to comfort.
No one knows for sure what causes colic.
Babies with colic will be fussy but continue to gain weight and develop normally.
If you are concerned, it is best to check with your baby’s primary care provider to ensure there is no other medical cause.
Who gets colic?
About 1 out of every 5 babies develops colic.
Colic usually starts when a baby is 2 to 4 weeks of age.
Colic usually starts to get better when babies are cooing and smiling sociably, around 8 weeks (about 2 months).
Colic usually resolves by 3 to 4 months but can last until 6 months.
How can I tell if my baby has colic?
Crying is intense, sometimes up to 3 to 5 hours a day. Between crying episodes, babies act normal.
Crying is often predictable, often at the same time each day. It usually occurs in the late afternoon to evening.
When crying, babies often pass gas, pull their legs up, or stretch their legs out.
How do I calm my baby?
Swaddle your baby in a large, thin blanket to help them feel secure.
Try holding your baby on their left side or on their stomach while supporting them securely. Gently pat their back if you can do so safely.
This may help comfort them if they are having any trouble with their belly.
Turn on a calming sound. Sounds that remind babies of being inside the womb may be calming, such as a white noise device, the humming sound of a fan, or the recording of a heartbeat.
Walk your baby in a body carrier or rock them. Calming motions remind babies of movements they felt in the womb.
Avoid overfeeding your baby because this may also make them uncomfortable. Try to wait at least 2 to 2½ hours from the beginning of one feeding to the next, unless your baby’s primary healthcare provider or a lactation consultant told you something different.
If it is not yet time to feed your baby, offer the pacifier or help your baby find their thumb or finger. Many babies are calmed by sucking.
If your baby has hard poop or blood in their poop call your baby’s primary care provider.
Keep a diary of when your baby is awake, asleep, eating, and crying.
Write down how long it takes your baby to eat or if your baby cries the most after eating. Talk with your baby’s primary care provider about these behaviors to see if their crying is related to sleeping or eating.
If you think your baby has food sensitivities, talk to your baby’s primary care provider before making any changes in the breast-feeding parent’s diet or changing your baby’s formula.
Limit each daytime nap to no longer than 3 hours a day.
Keep your baby calm and quiet when you feed or change them during the night by avoiding bright lights and noises, such as the TV.
How do I know what my baby might need?
For hunger:
Keep track of feeding times and look for early signs of hunger, such as lip-smacking or moving fists to their mouth.
For a comfortable temperature:
Dress your baby in about the same layers of clothing that you are wearing to be comfortable.
For diaper changes:
Check the diaper. In the first few months, babies pee and poop a lot.
For spitting up or vomiting:
Some babies have symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and the fussiness can be confused with colic.
Contact your child’s primary care provider if your baby is fussy after feeding, has excessive spitting or vomiting, and is losing or not gaining weight.
For illness:
Check your baby’s temperature.
If your baby is younger than 2 months and has a fever, call your baby’s primary care provider right away.
For overstimulation:
See ways to calm your baby above.
For boredom:
Quietly sing or hum a song to your baby.
Go for a walk.
What can I do as a parent or caregiver to stay calm?
If you have tried to calm your crying baby but nothing seems to work, it is okay to take a moment for yourself.
Crying can be tough to handle, especially if you’re physically tired and mentally exhausted.
Take a deep breath and count to 10.
Place your baby in a safe place, such as a crib or playpen, without blankets and stuffed animals; leave the room; and let your baby cry alone for about 10 to 15 minutes.
While your baby is in a safe place, consider some actions that may help calm you down.
Listen to music for a few minutes.
Call a friend or family member for emotional support.
Do simple household chores, such as vacuuming or washing the dishes.
If you have not calmed down after 10 to 15 minutes, check on your baby but do not pick up your baby until you feel you have calmed down.
When you have calmed down, go back and pick up your baby. If your baby is still crying, try soothing measures.
Call your baby’s primary care provider to have your baby checked.
Keeping your baby safe is the most important thing you can do.
It is normal to feel upset, frustrated, or even angry, but it is important to keep your behavior under control.
It is never safe to shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk any baby or child.
This publication was adapted from information within the American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: JJ M.D., TT D.O. | 09/2024