Colic in Babies: What It Is and What Soothes It

The NHS defines colic as a baby crying a lot with no obvious cause, and says a baby may have colic if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week but are otherwise healthy. ¹ MedlinePlus adds a reassuring point: even though colicky babies look like they have belly pain, they eat well and gain weight normally. ² Below is what recognised health bodies say about colic and what soothes it, quoted and linked.

Key takeaways

• The NHS says colic is a lot of crying with no obvious cause - more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week, in an otherwise healthy baby. ¹
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says colicky crying generally stops by 3 to 4 months of age. ³
• MedlinePlus says colicky babies eat well and gain weight normally. ²
• The NHS says anti-colic drops and herbal or probiotic supplements are not recommended, and there is no evidence they help. ¹

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

What is colic?

The NHS defines colic as a baby crying a lot with no obvious cause, and says a baby may have colic if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week but are otherwise healthy. ¹ MedlinePlus says even though colicky babies look like they have belly pain, they eat well and gain weight normally. ²

How common is colic, and when does it stop?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says about one-fifth of all babies develop colic, usually between the second and fourth weeks after birth. ³ MedlinePlus says colic usually starts when babies are about 3 weeks old and gets worse when they are between 4 and 6 weeks old. ² On when it eases, the American Academy of Pediatrics says colicky crying generally stops by 3 to 4 months of age, but it can last until 6 months. ³

What soothes a colicky baby?

The NHS says to hold or cuddle your baby when they are crying a lot. ¹ MedlinePlus says white noise can help soothe a colicky baby, and lists a white noise machine, a fan, a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine or a dishwasher as sources. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics frames these measures with a condition: it says to first consult your pediatrician to make sure the crying is not related to any serious medical condition that may require treatment. ³ With that in mind, it offers a feeding-related tip aimed at avoiding overfeeding: trying to wait at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next. ³

What about colic remedies?

Here the NHS is cautious. It says remedies for colic - such as anti-colic drops, herbal or probiotic supplements - are available from pharmacies and some shops, but they are not recommended, and there is no evidence they help colic. ¹

Frequently asked questions

What counts as colic?

The NHS says crying more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week, in an otherwise healthy baby. ¹

When does colic stop?

The AAP says colicky crying generally stops by 3 to 4 months, but can last until 6 months. ³

Do colic drops work?

The NHS says anti-colic drops and herbal or probiotic supplements are not recommended, and there is no evidence they help. ¹

Are colicky babies still healthy?

MedlinePlus says colicky babies eat well and gain weight normally. ²

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

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Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

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Sources

1. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
2. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000753.htm (retrieved 2026-07-10).
3. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Colic.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).