Yes, colic babies often act hungry by rooting, sucking, and crying inconsolably, but they aren't truly hungry; they may reject the breast/bottle after starting, eat well between bouts, and gain weight normally, with the fussiness being unrelated to immediate hunger but sometimes linked to gas or digestive issues, often occurring in the evenings.
Colic crying is not like the crying a baby does when hungry or wet. Being fussy even after crying has lessened. Timing you can predict, which is often in the evening. Change of face color, such as skin flushing or blushing.
There's no link between these periods of fussiness and hunger or discomfort. Although your infant is fussy and cries, they continue to eat well and gain weight. Symptoms of colic in an infant may include: Clenched fists.
A colicky infant may be overfed in an effort to stop the crying, which might make the colic worse.
Colic is most common in the first 6 weeks of life, and it usually subsides by 3 to 4 months of age. However, it's not unusual for it to stick around a few months longer. There's no need to panic if your baby's still dealing with colic at 5 or 6 months old.
[14] Wessel proposed a diagnostic criteria for infantile colic known as the Wessels "Rule of 3," which are still helpful today. Infants affected by colic experience bouts of fussiness and crying that last at least 3 hours a day for 3 or more days a week for over 3 weeks.
Certain foods can help ease colic symptoms in babies, while others may trigger discomfort. Common culprits include dairy, caffeine, and acidic foods, which can cause gassiness, restlessness, or digestive issues.
But when your infant has painful gas, especially if it's frequent, it can cause your baby to cry or become fussy—until it's passed; unlike colic, which causes crying and fussiness that lasts for hours across days and weeks. Gas can have distinctive symptoms, too, such as a swollen-looking belly.
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
With the exception of three infants, the pacifier was successful in relieving the irritability and crying of the infant and in causing a cessation of the symptoms of colic.
Reflux. Reflux and colic are closely related and are often confused. Reflux can also be caused by oversupply and both are more often a problem when a baby is given large feeds with long gaps in between. A baby who has reflux often spits up milk and cries more when he is lying down or is in a car seat.
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of colic in babies
Colicky babies cry inconsolably, often screaming, extending or pulling up their legs, and passing gas. The crying spells can occur around the clock, although they often become worse in the early evening.
Crying is a natural part of a baby's communication. It is how they express hunger or discomfort. Sometimes, however, a baby may cry for no clear reason. In some cases, this fussiness can develop into prolonged, intense crying episodes that are difficult to soothe, which may be colic.
The discomfort from gas will pass. Gas discomfort from burps and farts typically peaks at six weeks and improves immensely by 3 months of age.
Best Sleeping Position for a Colic Baby: Flat on Their Back
Colic can sometimes be caused by gas and digestive discomfort, so taking steps to improve your baby's digestion before putting them to sleep on their back can allow for better-quality, longer sleep.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
The 5-3-3 rule is a loose guideline for structuring a baby's sleep schedule: 5 hours of wake time before the first nap, 3 hours of wake time before the second nap, and 3 hours before bedtime.
Early evening is the most common time for this to happen. This can be hard for you, as it's often the time when you're most tired and least able to cope. The amount babies cry tends to peak when they're around 4 to 8 weeks old, then gradually tail off.
The "Colic 333 Rule" is a common guideline for identifying colic in a healthy, well-fed baby: crying for more than 3 hours a day, for more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. While it's a helpful way to recognize persistent, intense crying spells, it's not a strict diagnosis, and you don't need to wait three weeks to seek help if you're concerned. Colic usually peaks around 6 weeks and lessens by 3-4 months, but it's important to rule out other issues with a doctor.
When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air. This can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby.
Soothing strategies may include:
Colic and gas are common challenges faced by newborns, often causing significant discomfort and distress. Swaddling, when done correctly, can be a highly effective strategy in alleviating these symptoms by providing comfort, security, and soothing effects.
Burp your infant before, halfway through and after a feed. Keeping them upright after feeding can help their stomach empty. Holding infants stomach down and increasing tummy time can help move the gas through the intestines. Bicycle leg kicks and tummy massage may also help.
Results: It was found that mothers of non-colicky infants consumed significantly more grapes and lemons than mothers of colicky infants (p = 0.044).