Colic - when your baby cries for hours and nobody knows why

Q: Colic - when your baby cries for hours and nobody knows why

NHS guidance on colic in babies. What it is, what soothes it, what doesn't work, and when the crying might mean something else.

Last reviewed: July 2026 | Sources: NHS, Cry-sis

There are few things more draining than holding a screaming baby for the third hour in a row, having tried every soothing technique you can find. Colic is the name given to excessive crying in an otherwise healthy baby - and the most honest thing the medical profession will tell you is that nobody fully understands what causes it.

What counts as colic?

The NHS defines colic as crying for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least one week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and feeding well. It typically starts at a few weeks old and usually stops by three to four months. The crying often peaks in the afternoon and evening, which is exactly when parents are at their most depleted.

During episodes, babies may clench their fists, go red in the face, bring their knees up to their tummy, or arch their back. Their tummy may rumble and they may be very windy.

What helps

The NHS recommends holding or cuddling your baby, sitting them upright during feeds to reduce swallowed air, winding them regularly during and after feeds, gently rocking them over your shoulder, bathing them in warm water, and playing gentle white noise.

You do not need to change your diet if you are breastfeeding - there is no good evidence that maternal diet causes colic in most cases, though in some babies the symptoms may be related to cow's milk allergy, which your GP can investigate if suspected.

What doesn't help

The NHS warns against spinal manipulation (cranial osteopathy or chiropractic treatment for babies) - there is little evidence it works and it may cause harm. Anti-colic drops, herbal supplements, and probiotic products are widely sold but the NHS does not recommend them, stating there is no evidence they help.

The emotional toll

Hours of inconsolable crying can trigger feelings of frustration, helplessness, and guilt. If you are finding it hard to cope, that is a completely normal response to an extremely difficult situation. Cry-sis (0800 448 0737, open 9am to 10pm, seven days a week) is a free helpline specifically for parents struggling with a crying or restless baby.

Call 111 or see your GP if:

Nothing seems to be working and you are finding it hard to cope. Your baby is not gaining weight as expected. Your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry that doesn't sound like their normal cry. Symptoms persist beyond four months - your GP should rule out reflux or cow's milk protein allergy.