Newborn (0–2 months) · Infant (2–12 months) · Newborns & feeding, Sleep
Colic and crying: why babies cry so much and how to get through it
Crying peaks around 6 weeks, often 2 to 3 hours a day, and eases by 3 to 4 months. Colic is intense crying in a healthy, well-fed baby. It is not your fault, and it ends. The danger is exhaustion, so plan breaks.
Key takeaways
- Crying peaks at about 6 weeks and improves by 3 to 4 months
- Colic: 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby
- Soothing works in layers: feed, burp, swaddle, shush, swing, suck
- It is always okay to put the baby down safely and step away for a few minutes
- Never shake a baby; call us if you feel you are at the edge
How much crying is normal?
All babies cry more in the first three months, with a peak around week 6. Two to three hours a day is within normal, often clustered in the late afternoon and evening. Colic is the top of that range: intense, hard-to-soothe crying in a baby who is feeding and growing well. About 1 in 5 babies meets that definition.
What helps?
- Check the basics: hunger, a wet or dirty diaper, too hot or cold, a hair wrapped around a toe
- Feed if it has been more than 2 hours; burp midway and after
- Swaddle snugly (arms in, hips loose), hold on the side or stomach in your arms, and make a loud, steady “shhh”
- Gentle rhythmic motion: a walk, a rocking chair, a stroller ride, a car ride in the car seat
- Offer a pacifier or a clean finger to suck
- White noise, a dim room, less stimulation in the evening
Try one thing for a few minutes before switching. Babies calm in layers, and the fifth thing often works because of the four before it.
What about gas drops, gripe water and formula changes?
Simethicone drops are safe but rarely help much. Gripe water is unregulated; we do not recommend it. If you are breastfeeding, cutting dairy from your own diet occasionally helps and is worth a two-week trial if there is also blood in the stool or eczema. Switching formulas repeatedly does not help colic; if we suspect a milk protein allergy we will suggest a specific formula.
Taking care of yourself
Colic is one of the strongest triggers for shaken baby injuries, and it happens to loving parents at the end of a long night. If you feel your patience going, put the baby on their back in the crib, close the door, and take ten minutes. Trade shifts with a partner or family member. Sleep when you can. Tell us how you are doing at every visit; we ask because it matters.
When to call us
- Crying with a fever, vomiting, poor feeding, fewer wet diapers or a change in stool
- A high-pitched or unusual cry, or crying that does not stop for hours
- Your own mood: you feel hopeless, detached or afraid of your feelings
- Crying is still severe after 4 months
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if…
- Any baby under 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- A baby who is limp, pale or blue, hard to wake, or was shaken or dropped
Questions parents ask
Is it reflux?
Many babies spit up and are happy; that is not reflux disease. Arching, refusing feeds, poor weight gain or blood in spit-up is worth a visit.
Will holding my baby too much spoil them?
No. In the first months, responding quickly builds security. You cannot spoil a newborn.
Not sure? Ask us
Call or text the office during hours, or send a portal message. For emergencies call 911.
(770) 615-7000Trusted further reading
- HealthyChildren.org (opens in new tab)American Academy of Pediatrics