It is 7pm, the same as yesterday, and your baby has started the kind of crying that nothing seems to touch. You have fed, changed, burped and rocked, and you are wondering what you are missing. If this sounds familiar, you may be living with colic, and you are far from alone.
Quick answer: Colic is long bouts of intense crying, often in the late afternoon or evening, in a baby who is otherwise healthy, feeding well and gaining weight. It usually starts in the first few weeks, peaks at around six weeks and eases by three to four months. Soothing a colicky baby works best with calm, rhythmic comfort: holding and rocking, white noise, skin-to-skin, a warm bath, upright feeding with frequent burping, and taking breaks so you can cope.
Key takeaways
- A common definition of colic is crying for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, in a baby who is otherwise well.
- Colic usually begins in the first few weeks of life, is often worst around six weeks and improves for most babies by three to four months.
- Rhythmic movement, steady white noise and close contact are the soothing techniques most parents find helpful; no single method works for every baby.
- Gripe water and anti-wind drops have limited evidence behind them; talk to your pharmacist or paediatrician before trying any remedy.
- Never shake a baby. If you feel overwhelmed, put your baby safely on their back in the cot and step away for 10–15 minutes.
- See a doctor if crying comes with fever, vomiting, poor feeding, a weak or high-pitched cry, or if your baby is not gaining weight.
What is colic and why does it happen?
Colic is a description of a crying pattern rather than a disease. Babies with colic often cry inconsolably at around the same time each day, may clench their fists, pull their legs up to their tummy, go red in the face and seem to be in discomfort.
Nobody knows exactly what causes it. Possible contributors include a developing digestive system, trapped wind, sensitivity to stimulation at the end of the day and, in a small number of babies, an allergy such as cow's milk protein allergy. Colic is not caused by anything you did and does not harm your baby in the long term.
What are the best colic baby soothing techniques?
Try one technique at a time for a few minutes before switching. Rushing from one to the next can overstimulate an already unsettled baby.
1. Hold, rock and walk
Hold your baby close and sway, rock or walk slowly. Some babies prefer being held on their side or tummy along your forearm, the so-called colic hold. Always put them down to sleep on their back.
2. White noise and shushing
A steady, low sound such as a white noise machine, a fan in the next room or a long "shhh" close to your baby's ear can be very calming. Keep the volume moderate and the device away from the cot.
3. Swaddling for young babies
A snug swaddle can help newborns feel secure. Leave room for the hips to bend, keep your baby on their back, use a thin cloth so they do not overheat, and stop swaddling as soon as they show signs of trying to roll. Our newborn safe sleep guide covers the details.
4. Skin-to-skin contact
Lay your baby in just a nappy on your bare chest. Your warmth, heartbeat and breathing can help regulate theirs and settle crying.
5. A warm bath
A short, lukewarm bath (around 37°C) relaxes many babies. Follow it with a quiet cuddle in a dim room.
6. Feed upright and burp often
Hold your baby fairly upright during feeds and burp them partway through and at the end. If you breastfeed, a deep latch reduces swallowed air. Keep your baby upright for a little while after feeding.
7. Slow down bottle feeds
If your baby is bottle-fed, a teat that flows too fast can make them gulp air. Use a slow-flow teat suited to their age and try paced bottle feeding, which lets your baby control the pace. As your baby grows, the Turtees Baby Bottle 240mL is a borosilicate glass, BPA-free bottle that has been anti-colic tested and has a no-drip nipple design. It costs AED 24 and is listed for babies from six months, so younger babies should stick to a bottle and teat designed for their age.
8. Gentle tummy massage
When your baby is calm, not mid-scream, try slow clockwise circles on their tummy with warm hands, or gently cycle their legs. Stop if they seem uncomfortable.
9. Change the scene, lower the stimulation
A walk in the pram, a calm drive or simply moving to a dim, quiet room can break the cycle. In UAE summers, walk indoors or in the early morning or evening rather than in the midday heat.
Is it colic or something else?
Colic is diagnosed only when other causes have been ruled out. This table shows when to treat crying as colic and when to get your baby checked.
| More likely colic | Get your baby checked |
|---|---|
| Crying at a similar time each day, often evenings | Crying that sounds different, weak or high-pitched |
| Feeding well and gaining weight | Poor feeding, fewer wet nappies or not gaining weight |
| Calm and content between episodes | Floppy, very sleepy or hard to wake |
| Normal temperature | Temperature of 38°C or more, especially under three months |
| Occasional small spit-ups | Forceful or green vomiting, or blood in poo |
If your baby has trouble breathing, turns blue or pale, or you are seriously worried, call 998 for an ambulance in the UAE.
Do colic drops, gripe water or diet changes help?
Here is what to know before you try a remedy:
- Anti-wind drops and gripe water: widely sold, but there is little good evidence that they help colic. Ask your pharmacist whether a product is suitable for your baby's age.
- Probiotics: some research suggests certain probiotic drops may reduce crying in breastfed babies with colic. Talk to your paediatrician before starting them.
- Your diet or your baby's formula: if your doctor suspects cow's milk protein allergy, they may suggest removing dairy from your diet or a special formula. Do not make big changes on your own, as this can affect your nutrition or your baby's.
How do I cope with colic when my baby will not stop crying?
Hours of crying are exhausting and can leave you feeling helpless or even angry. Those feelings are normal, and looking after yourself is part of looking after your baby.
- If you feel overwhelmed, put your baby down safely on their back in the cot, close the door and take 10–15 minutes to breathe.
- Take shifts with your partner or a family member so each of you gets a proper break.
- Use earplugs or headphones to soften the sound while you keep holding and soothing.
- Talk to someone if low mood lingers. Our guide to postpartum depression and baby blues in the UAE explains where to find help.
Never shake a baby, however frustrated you feel. Shaking can cause serious brain injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does colic usually stop?
Colic usually peaks at around six weeks and gradually eases, with most babies improving by three to four months and nearly all settling by six months. If crying is getting worse after three months, or your baby seems unwell, ask your paediatrician to check for another cause.
Is colic more common in bottle-fed or breastfed babies?
Colic happens in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies, and it is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. For breastfed babies, a deep latch and burping help. For bottle-fed babies, a slow-flow teat and paced feeding reduce swallowed air. Speak to your doctor before switching formula, as frequent changes can unsettle your baby further.
Can colic be a sign of reflux?
Some babies with reflux cry a lot, but reflux usually also shows up as frequent spitting up, coughing or arching during feeds, and sometimes feeding refusal. Colic crying tends to happen at a set time of day with a baby who is content otherwise. If you notice reflux-type symptoms or poor weight gain, ask your paediatrician to assess your baby.
Does carrying a colicky baby spoil them?
No. Young babies cannot be spoiled by being held. Close contact and responding to crying help your baby feel safe, and carrying them in your arms or a well-fitted sling is one of the most effective colic soothing techniques. Make sure your baby's face is visible and their chin is off their chest when using a sling.
Should I take my colicky baby to a doctor?
Yes, it is worth having your baby checked at least once so other causes such as infection, reflux or allergy can be ruled out. Go sooner if crying comes with fever, vomiting, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies or a cry that sounds different. Your paediatrician can also support you, which matters when you are exhausted.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or paediatrician.
Colic can make evenings feel endless, but it does pass. Pick two or three techniques that suit your baby, share the load, and be as gentle with yourself as you are with your little one.
