What is Colic in Babies? Causes, Symptoms & Soothing Methods

What Is Colic?

Clinically, colic describes recurrent, prolonged episodes of crying/fussing in infants 0–5 months that cannot be prevented or resolved by caregivers and occur without redflag signs—per Rome IV functional GI criteria. Many parents still go with the older “rule of threes”: >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, for >3 weeks. If you’re wondering what is colic in newborns, it’s that pattern early in life, typically easing by 3–4 months. [3,9] (MDCalc, rourkebabyrecord.ca)

Reading Your Newborn’s Cues

Your baby talks with their body long before words. Recognising “I’m ready” versus “I need a break” cues help you respond earlier and often prevents a full crying spell.

• Engagement cues (ready to connect): bright, focused eyes; turning toward your face/voice; gentle, smooth movements; handtomouth; relaxed posture; grasping your finger.

• Disengagement cues (need a pause): turning/looking away; jittery or stiff movements; arching; yawning/sneezing/hiccups; fussing/crying; hands splayed; going limp or falling asleep. [7] (rch.org.au)

Newborn behavioural states also shape what you see: deep sleep, active (REM) sleep, drowsy, quiet alert (the best time to connect), active awake (characterised by more movement), and crying. Cycling through these is normal; planning feeds and play around quietalert windows keeps days smoother. [8] (HealthyChildren.org)

What causes colic in infants?

No one knows the exact reason for colic. It may include a baby’s maturing stomach and gut, how their nerves and brain ‘talk,’ some swallowed air during feeds, and changes in their environment. The cause of colic in infants is therefore multifactorial, and most babies remain healthy and thriving between episodes as crying gradually settles with maturation. [2,17] (Cleveland Clinic, Nature)

What are the signs of colic?

• Intense, hard to soothe crying (often late afternoon/evening), starting/ending abruptly

• Body cues often described as newborn colic pain: gassy tummy, knees drawn up, clenched fists, arched back

• Normal feeding, growth, and exam between episodes [1–2] (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic)

When should you visit your doctor?

Please seek same-day care for fever, bilious (green) or projectile vomiting, blood in stool, abdominal distension, poor feeding, breathing trouble, lethargy/weak or high-pitched continuous cry, or faltering growth—these point away from colic and need evaluation. [20] (HealthyChildren.org)

Your Soothing Toolkit for colic relief (Gentle, Practical, Safe)

1) The Walk–Sit Routine (10–13 minutes)

A randomised, lab-based study in Current Biology found a simple sequence helps many babies: walk while holding for ≈5 minutes, then sit and hold for 5–8 minutes before placing the baby on their back in their sleep space. It lowered infant heart rate and eased crying more than seated holding alone. [6] (Cell)

2) Rhythms, Sounds, and Suck

More carrying/babywearing, gentle rocking, and steady “white noise” can help some infants transition states. Pacifiers are optional calming tools for some families. Always pair soothing with safesleep. [20,4] (HealthyChildren.org, AAP Publications)

3) Swaddling (Awake Soothing; HipHealthy)

If you swaddle to settle a fussy newborn, keep hips flexed with legs able to move (to reduce hip dysplasia risk), stop swaddling at the first sign of rolling, and always place the baby on their back for sleep in a clear cot. [5,4] (Hip Dysplasia Institute, AAP Publications)

4) Feeding Tune-ups

Check latch/position, pace bottle feeds, burp during and after, and review nipple flow (overfast teats increase swallowed air). Small tweaks here can reduce fussing that spirals into a long crying bout. [20] (HealthyChildren.org)

Targeted Steps: Diet & Probiotics

Short, supervised diet trials may help a subset:

• Breastfeeding families: A time-limited low-allergen maternal diet has mixed evidence overall; some RCTs suggest benefit, but the 2018 Cochrane review found data limited and at risk of bias—so any trial should be brief, guided, and reversed if no change. [10] (Cochrane Library)

• Formula-fed infants: If your clinician suspects cow’smilk protein allergy, they may suggest a 2-week extensively hydrolyzed formula trial. Evidence is mixed across studies; routine soy switches for colic alone aren’t supported. [11] (AAFP)

Probiotics: The beststudied strain is Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938. An individualpatient meta-analysis (IPDMA) found reduced crying in breastfed infants with colic; a large community RCT (mixed feeding) found no benefit. Families keen to try can discuss a 3–4 week trial with their paediatrician—especially if they are exclusively breastfed. [12–13] (AAP Publications, BMJ)

Where Woodward’s Gripe Water Fits? 

For generations, families in India have included Woodward’s within a holistic soothing toolkit. From Woodward’s point of view, the priority is gentle, mother-approved care:

• What it is: Woodward’s Gripe Water (Ayurvedic) combines dill seed oil and sarjikakshara (sodium bicarbonate) and is nonalcoholic. It is marketed for symptomatic relief of stomach discomfort due to gas, acidity, and indigestion—common contributors to fussing during the colicky months. [19] (Woodwards)

• How to integrate it seamlessly:

1. Start with non-pharmacologic routines (walk–sit sequence, rocking, white noise at safe levels, pacifier if desired).
2. Tidy up feeds (position, paced flow, mid-feed, and post-feed burping).
3. If you choose an OTC herbal/soothing option, use Woodward’s exactly as directed on the label for your baby’s age, keep dosing measured (spoon/syringe), and pair with your established soothing and safesleep habits.
4. Keep expectations kind: there’s often no single “switch” for colic relief – it builds from small, consistent steps. [20,4] (HealthyChildren.org, AAP Publications)

Evidence notes (balanced & brandsafe): Clinical research on herbal preparations for colic varies by formulation and quality. Small RCTs of fennel-based preparations and multi-herb teas have shown improvement in crying, but products differ, and larger, standardised trials are limited. Choose reputable, quality-controlled brands like Woodward’s and follow labels, alongside core soothing and safesleep practices. [14–16] (Cochrane Library, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect)

Quick plan for your infant’s colic relief at home

1. Check basics (hunger, diaper, temperature, overstimulation).
2. Use the walk–sit routine (≈5 min walking + 5–8 min sitting) → place baby backtosleep on a flat, firm surface. [6,4] (Cell, AAP Publications)
3. Layer gentle tools: babywearing, white noise (safe volume/distance), pacifier; hiphealthy swaddling for awake soothing only. [5,4,20] (Hip Dysplasia Institute, AAP Publications, HealthyChildren.org)
4. Tweak feeding: latch/position, paced flow, burp mid-feed & after. [20] (HealthyChildren.org)
5. If discomfort from gas/acidity seems to worsen fussing, and your clinician agrees, consider Woodward’s as part of your colic remedies—as directed and alongside steps 1–4. [19] (Woodwards)
6. If crying persists, ask about time-limited diet/probiotic trials. Watch red flags and seek care if any appear. [10,12–13,20] (Cochrane Library, AAP Publications, BMJ, HealthyChildren.org)

FAQs

Is there a cure for colic?

There’s no single cure for colic. For most families, relief comes from consistent routines (movement/holding, white noise, safesleep habits), feed adjustments, and, if you want to try an optional OTC herbal/soothing product, use it exactly as directed. Colic is time-limited and typically improves by 3–4 months. [1–2,10,12–13] (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Cochrane Library, AAP Publications, BMJ)

What counts as home remedies for colic?

Gentle routines you can start tonight: the walk–sit sequence; rocking/babywearing; white noise at a safe volume; pacifier if desired; hiphealthy swaddling for awake soothing; careful burping and paced feeds. If you choose an OTC option such as Woodward’s, use it as labelled and keep safesleep practices non-negotiable. [6,5,4,20,19] (Cell, Hip Dysplasia Institute, AAP Publications, HealthyChildren.org, Woodwards)

Do medicines help?

Evidence for simethicone is inconsistent/insufficient; anticholinergics (e.g., dicyclomine) are not appropriate for infants due to safety concerns. That’s why most guidance starts with behavioural strategies, feeding tweaks, and (if desired and clinician-approved) carefully chosen OTC herbal/soothing products. [11,14] (AAFP, Cochrane Library)

References (Vancouver style)

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Colic—Symptoms & causes. 2022–2024. (Mayo Clinic)
2. Cleveland Clinic. Colic: Symptoms, causes & solutions. 2023–2025. (Cleveland Clinic)
3. Rome IV criteria summary (Infant colic). MDCalc/ Rome Foundation overview. 2016–2024. (MDCalc)
4. Moon RY, Carlin RF, Hand I, et al. Evidence base for 2022 updated recommendations for a safe infant sleep environment. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057991. (AAP Publications)
5. International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Swaddling Statement (hiphealthy). 2019. (Hip Dysplasia Institute)
6. Ohmura N, Kuroda K, Truzzi A, et al. A method to soothe and promote sleep in crying infants. Current Biology. 2022;32(19):42524260. (Cell)
7. Royal Children’s Hospital (COCOON). Baby cues: engagement & disengagement. 2024–2025. (rch.org.au)
8. HealthyChildren.org (AAP). States of consciousness in newborns. 2025. (HealthyChildren.org)
9. Rourke Baby Record (CPS/CFPC). Infant Crying/Colic—Evidence. 2024. (rourkebabyrecord.ca)
10. Cochrane Review (Gordon M, et al.). Dietary modifications for infantile colic. 2018. (Cochrane Library)
11. Johnson JD, Cocker K, Chang E. Infantile colic: recognition & treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(7):577582. (AAFP)
12. Sung V, D’Amico F, Cabana MD, et al. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for infant colic—IPD metaanalysis. Pediatrics. 2018;141(1):e20171811. (AAP Publications)
13. Sung V, Hiscock H, Tang MLK, et al. Community RCT of L. reuteri DSM 17938. BMJ. 2014;348:g2107. (BMJ)
14. Cochrane Review (Biagioli E, et al.). Painrelieving agents for infantile colic (incl. simethicone & herbals). 2016–2019. (Cochrane Library)
15. Alexandrovich I, et al. Fennel seed oil emulsion RCT. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003;9(4):5861. (ResearchGate)
16. Weizman Z, et al. Chamomilefennellemon balm tea RCT. J Pediatr. 1993;122(4):650652. (ScienceDirect)
17. Zeevenhooven J, Browne PD, L’Hoir MP, de Weerth C, Benninga MA. Infant colic: mechanisms & management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;15:479496. (Nature)
18. Rourke Baby Record—tool overview (CPS). 2024 Edition. (Canadian Paediatric Society)
19. Woodward’s India (official site). Product overview & ingredients. Accessed 2025. (Woodwards)
20. HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Colic relief tips for parents. 2024–2025. (HealthyChildren.org)