Learn about Colic in babies symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Colic in babies

What are the symptoms of colic?

Babies with colic cry for at least three hours a day, for three days a week, for at least three weeks. Colic usually starts in the first few weeks of life.

Here are some signs that your baby might have colic.

Source:
Medline Plus.
Colic and crying.
Available at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000978.htm (accessed on 17 June 2008).

Source:
Lucassen PL, Assendelft WJ, Gubbels LW, et al.
Infantile colic: crying time reduction with a whey hydrolysate; a double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Pediatrics. 2000; 106: 1349-1354.

Source:
Reust CE, Blake RL Jr.
Diagnostic workup before diagnosing colic
Archives of Family Medicine 2000; 9: 282-283

Your baby often starts crying suddenly. The cry is high-pitched and nothing you do seems to help.
The crying begins at the same time each day, often in the afternoon or evening.
Your baby might draw their legs up when they cry, and their tummy might look swollen.
Your baby might clench their hands.
Their face might be flushed.
The crying can last for minutes or hours. It often winds down when your baby is exhausted or when they have passed gas or a stool.

As a parent, you can feel very anxious when your baby cries nonstop for a long time and there seems to be nothing you can do about it. If you are worried about your baby, you should see your doctor. They will check whether something else is causing your baby to cry.

You should also see your doctor if your baby's pattern of crying changes suddenly or if they have:

A fever
Forceful vomiting
diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is when you have loose, watery stools and you need to go to the toilet far more often than usual. Doctors say you have diarrhoea if you need to go to the toilet more than three times a day.

Diarrhea or blood in their stools.

Sometimes babies cry for other reasons. Try to make sure your baby isn't hungry or in pain. Check if they are too hot or too cold, or have a wet diaper.

Sources for the information on this page:

Medline Plus.Colic and crying.Available at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000978.htm (accessed on 17 June 2008).

Lucassen PL, Assendelft WJ, Gubbels LW, et al.Infantile colic: crying time reduction with a whey hydrolysate; a double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.Pediatrics. 2000; 106: 1349-1354.

Reust CE, Blake RL Jr.Diagnostic workup before diagnosing colicArchives of Family Medicine 2000; 9: 282-283

This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.