Colic
Learn why babies get colic, how to spot the signs and proven ways to settle your little one.
Infant Colic in Babies: A Straight-Up Guide for Tired Aussie Parents
Colic hurts—mostly your baby’s tummy and your nerves. This guide explains infant colic, why it happens, and simple ways to calm your little one.
What is infant colic?
Colic means long bouts of loud, hard-to-soothe crying in an otherwise healthy baby. Doctors use the “rule of threes”: crying for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks. It usually starts in the first few weeks of life and fades by four months.
Colic is a behaviour, not a disease. Your baby still feeds, gains weight and looks healthy between crying spells.
How common is infant colic in Australia?
Answer: About one in five Aussie babies fits the colic definition, making it a normal—if exhausting—part of early parenthood. Most cases are managed by GPs and child-health nurses and rarely need hospital care.
What are the tell-tale signs of colic?
Answer:
- Your baby cries fiercely, often in the late afternoon or evening.
- The face turns red, fists clench, and knees pull up to the tummy.
- Crying starts and stops suddenly, with no clear trigger.
- Between episodes, your baby seems fine and keeps growing well.
These features help rule out other causes like reflux, allergy or infection.
What causes infant colic?
Answer: Doctors aren’t 100 % sure. Likely factors include:
- An immature gut that traps gas.
- Changing gut bacteria (microbiome).
- Over-stimulation or parental stress (babies feel our tension!).
- Possible food sensitivities, especially to cow’s-milk protein.
None of these causes leads to long-term harm.
How can I soothe a colicky baby at home?
Answer:
- Feed and burp: Check hunger first, then burp after feeds.
- Hold and move: Rock, sway or use a baby carrier.
- Sound therapy: White noise, gentle shushing or soft music.
- Tummy comfort: Warm bath or gentle tummy massage.
- Calm space: Dim lights; keep the room quiet.
Evidence for probiotics or hypo-allergenic formula is mixed, but some parents find them helpful—talk to your GP first.
When should I see a doctor?
Answer:
- If the crying is constant or your gut tells you “something’s off.”
- Signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, poor weight gain or rash.
- You feel overwhelmed, unsafe or think you might lose control.
Quick Facts
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Age range | Birth to ≈ 4 months |
| How long it lasts | Usually fades by 3–4 months |
| Serious? | No long-term harm |
| Main symptom | Hard-to-soothe crying |
| Cost to treat | Mostly GP visits; little to no medicine |