Baby Crying a Lot: Colic and Other Causes

All babies cry. Crying is a newborn's most important communication tool — it's how baby communicates that they're hungry, tired, wet, too hot, too cold, or simply need closeness. But when a baby cries far more than expected, day after day, it can become profoundly draining for parents.

This article is about excessive crying in babies: what's normal, what colic actually is, what you can do, and when to seek help.

How much crying is normal?

A healthy newborn cries an average of 1–3 hours per day in the first weeks. Crying gradually increases, peaking around 6–8 weeks of age, then declining. By 3–4 months, most babies have settled in more, and crying decreases significantly.

Normal crying development

These are averages. Some babies cry less, some cry more. What matters is whether the crying is affecting the baby's wellbeing, feeding, and sleep.

What is colic?

Colic is not a disease, but a term for excessive, unexplained crying in otherwise healthy babies. The classic definition is Wessel's 3-3-3 rule:

Colic = crying more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks.

Signs of colic

• Crying often starts in the afternoon or evening
• Baby is difficult to console — normal methods don't work
• Baby may pull their legs up toward their belly and clench their fists
• Face is red and tense
• Baby otherwise seems healthy — feeds well and gains weight

How common is it?

About 10–20 percent of all babies have colic. It typically starts at 2–3 weeks of age, peaks at 6 weeks, and is usually gone by 3–4 months.

Causes of excessive crying

The exact cause of colic is unknown, but several factors may play a role:

Immature digestive system

Baby's gut is new and inexperienced. Gas formation, incomplete breakdown of nutrients, and immature intestinal movement can cause discomfort. This is the most widely accepted theory.

Overstimulation

After a long day of sensory input, baby can become overwhelmed. Many colicky babies cry most in the evening — after accumulating impressions throughout the day without being able to process them.

Cow's milk protein allergy

About 2–3 percent of babies have an allergy to proteins in cow's milk. In breastfed babies, this can come from the mother's diet. Symptoms include excessive crying, distress after meals, green or mucousy stools, and eczema.

Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux — stomach contents coming back up into the esophagus — is common in babies and usually resolves on its own. But significant reflux can cause pain and excessive crying.

Other medical causes

In rare cases, excessive crying may be caused by:

• Urinary tract infection
• Ear infection
• Hair tourniquet (hair wrapped around a finger or toe)
• Intussusception (bowel blockage) — acute, with sudden, intense crying

Soothing techniques

No single technique works for every baby, but here are methods many parents find helpful:

The 5 S's (Harvey Karp)

1. Swaddling — Wrap baby snugly in a blanket. It mimics the womb and can reduce the Moro reflex.
2. Side/Stomach position — Hold baby on their side or stomach (on your arm only, never alone in bed). Tummy-down on your forearm can relieve stomach cramps.
3. Shushing — Make a steady "shhhh" sound near baby's ear. It mimics the sound inside the womb.
4. Swinging — Rock baby gently with small, quick movements. The head must always be supported.
5. Sucking — Offer a pacifier or let baby suck on your finger. Sucking has a calming effect.

Other methods

• Skin-to-skin — Lay baby on your bare chest. Body contact regulates heart rate, breathing, and temperature.
• White noise — A vacuum cleaner, dryer, running water, or a white noise app can calm many babies.
• Car ride — The steady vibration and engine noise soothes many babies.
• Baby carrier or wrap — Keep baby close to your body while you move around.
• Warm cloth on tummy — A lukewarm (not hot) cloth or heat pad can ease tummy discomfort.
• Massage — Gentle clockwise tummy massage can help with gas.

Dietary changes when breastfeeding

If you suspect something in your diet is affecting baby, you can try:

Dairy-free diet

Cut out all dairy products for 2–3 weeks. If baby improves, this may suggest a cow's milk protein allergy. Talk to your pediatrician or a dietitian — you'll need calcium supplements if you eliminate dairy.

Gas-producing foods

Some mothers find that cabbage, onions, beans, and broccoli cause more distress in baby. Evidence is limited, but it may be worth trying to eliminate individual foods for a few days at a time.

When should you contact a doctor?

Contact your pediatrician or family doctor if:

• Baby has a fever (above 100.4°F / 38°C in babies under 3 months)
• Baby is feeding poorly or not gaining weight
• Stools are bloody or very green and mucousy
• Baby vomits forcefully (not just spitting up)
• The cry is different from usual — screaming, high-pitched crying
• Baby is limp between crying episodes
• You suspect baby is in pain
• Crying starts suddenly after the baby has been calm (may indicate an acute cause)

Call 911 or emergency services if:

• Baby is difficult to wake
• Baby has seizures
• Baby is breathing abnormally
• You suspect the baby has fallen or been injured

Take care of yourself

Having a baby who cries a lot is one of the most exhausting experiences new parents can have. It's important to acknowledge this.

Practical tips

• Take turns — let your partner take over regularly. You both need breaks.
• Ask for help — let grandparents, friends, or others take baby for a few hours.
• Sleep when baby sleeps — sleep deprivation makes everything worse.
• It's okay to put baby down — put baby safely in their crib and take a few minutes for yourself.

Emotional support

• It's normal to feel frustration, helplessness, and even anger
• It doesn't mean you're a bad parent
• Talk to someone — your partner, friends, or pediatrician
• National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736 (US)
• Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773

Colic passes

It can feel endless, but colic is temporary. The vast majority of colicky babies are completely fine by 3–4 months. You are doing a wonderful job simply by being there for your baby.

Common questions

Is colic harmful to baby?

No. Colic is not dangerous and causes no long-term damage. Babies with colic develop completely normally. The biggest challenge is the toll it takes on parents.

Can colic be prevented?

There is no reliable way to prevent colic. Some studies suggest that probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri) may help breastfed babies, but results are mixed. Talk to your doctor before giving supplements.

Does changing formula help?

If baby is formula-fed and very unsettled, your doctor may consider whether a hydrolyzed formula (HA formula) is appropriate. Don't switch formula on your own — talk to your pediatrician first.

How long does colic last?

Colic typically starts at 2–3 weeks of age and is usually gone by the time baby is 3–4 months old. Some babies have unsettled periods a bit longer, but the vast majority are over it by 4 months.

Can a baby cry too much?

Babies cannot "hurt" themselves by crying, but prolonged crying without comfort is stressful for the baby. Always try to soothe them, but know that sometimes it's not possible to stop the crying — and that's okay.

Read also: Baby gas and stomach cramps | Baby reflux | Baby massage

Sources

1. American Academy of Pediatrics — Colic and Excessive Crying
2. Wessel MA et al: Paroxysmal fussing in infancy (Pediatrics, 1954)
3. NHS — Colic: causes, symptoms, and treatments
4. WHO — Infant health and development