Colic: When Your Baby Cries... A Lot

The Rule of 3s:

Crying for:

• •3+ hours per day
• •3+ days per week
• •For 3+ weeks
• •In an otherwise healthy baby

Typical Pattern:

• •Starts around 2-3 weeks old
• •Peaks at 6 weeks
• •Improves by 3 months
• •Usually gone by 4 months
• •Often worse in evening ("witching hour")

What It Looks Like:

• •Intense, inconsolable crying
• •Pulls legs to chest
• •Clenched fists
• •Arched back
• •Red, flushed face
• •Hard, tense belly
• •Crying seems painful
• •Nothing soothes for long

What It's NOT:

• •Not your fault
• •Not bad parenting
• •Not something you did wrong
• •Not permanent
• •Not harmful to baby long-term

What We Don't Know:

• •Exact cause (likely multiple factors)
• •Why some babies and not others
• •Why it peaks at 6 weeks then improves
• •One definitive cure

Theories (None Proven):

Digestive System:

• •Immature digestive system
• •Gas and bloating
• •Reflux
• •Food sensitivities (rare)
• •Gut bacteria differences

Nervous System:

• •Immature nervous system
• •Overstimulation
• •Can't self-regulate yet
• •Sensory processing

Other Theories:

• •Temperament
• •Maternal smoking (increases risk)
• •Normal crying that falls at extreme end

Important:

• •No single cause identified
• •Probably different for different babies
• •Not caused by parenting
• •Not from breastfeeding "wrong"
• •Not from formula brand (usually)

The 5 S's (the 5 S's method):

1. Swaddle:

• •Snug wrapping
• •Arms down
• •Mimics womb
• •Stops startle reflex

2. Side/Stomach Position:

• •Hold on side or stomach (while awake & supervised)
• •Never sleep on stomach
• •Reduces pressure

3. Shushing:

• •Loud "shhhh" sound
• •White noise
• •Hair dryer, vacuum sound
• •Mimics womb sounds

4. Swinging:

• •Rhythmic movement
• •Gentle but vigorous
• •Swing, bounce, sway
• •Not shaking!

5. Sucking:

• •Pacifier
• •Nursing
• •Finger
• •Calming reflex

Other Techniques:

Movement:

• •Walk with baby
• •Bouncing on exercise ball
• •Car ride
• •Stroller walk
• •Baby swing
• •Baby wearing

Sound:

• •White noise machine
• •Running water
• •Fan
• •Vacuum cleaner
• •Music

Physical:

• •Skin-to-skin contact
• •Warm bath
• •Baby massage
• •Bicycle legs for gas
• •Tummy pressure (over shoulder)

Environment:

• •Dim lights
• •Quiet room
• •Remove stimulation
• •Or try change of scenery

What to Remember:

• •What works one time may not next time
• •Combination often better than single technique
• •Sometimes nothing works
• •That's not your failure
• •Keep trying different things

If Breastfeeding:

Things to Try:

• •Eliminate dairy from your diet (2 weeks to see change)
• •Try eliminating caffeine
• •Avoid gassy foods (may or may not help)
• •Ensure good latch (swallowing air makes worse)
• •Feed before baby gets too hungry

DON'T:

• •Stop breastfeeding without medical reason
• •Eliminate multiple foods without guidance
• •Assume it's something you ate (rarely is)

If Formula Feeding:

Things to Try:

• •Ensure proper bottle angle (to reduce air)
• •Try different bottles/nipples (anti-colic bottles)
• •Pace feeding
• •Burp frequently during feeding
• •Hold upright after feeding

Switching Formulas:

• •Discuss with healthcare provider first
• •Try "sensitive" or "gentle" formulas
• •Hypoallergenic formulas if suspected allergy
• •Give new formula 2 weeks to see if helps
• •Switching frequently doesn't help

Both Breast and Formula:

• •Feed in calm, quiet environment
• •Watch for hunger cues (feed before frantic)
• •Burp well
• •Keep upright after feeding
• •Smaller, more frequent feedings may help

Call Healthcare provider If:

• •Fever (100.4°F or higher)
• •Vomiting (not just spit-up)
• •Diarrhea or constipation
• •Blood in stool
• •Not eating or refusing feeds
• •Not gaining weight
• •Seems in true pain (not just fussy)
• •Breathing problems
• •Rash
• •You're concerned it's not "just" colic

Conditions That Can Mimic Colic:

GERD/Reflux:

• •Spitting up large amounts
• •Arching during/after feeding
• •Refusing to eat
• •Poor weight gain

Milk Protein Allergy:

• •Blood or mucus in stool
• •Vomiting
• •Diarrhea
• •Rash
• •Poor growth

Other Medical Issues:

• •Ear infection
• •UTI
• •Hernia
• •Hair tourniquet (hair wrapped around toe/finger)
• •Corneal abrasion

your healthcare provider Can:

• •Examine baby thoroughly
• •Rule out medical causes
• •Offer specific guidance
• •Provide reassurance
• •Suggest treatments if appropriate

You Need to Take Care of YOU:

It's OK to:

• •Put baby down in safe place and walk away
• •Take a 5-10 minute break
• •Cry yourself
• •Feel frustrated or angry
• •Not enjoy every moment
• •Ask for help

Taking Breaks:

• •Put baby safely in crib
• •Close door
• •Take deep breaths
• •Drink water
• •Step outside
• •Call someone
• •Come back when calmer
• •Baby is safe even if crying

Tag Team with Partner:

• •Take shifts
• •1-2 hour blocks
• •Let off-duty parent leave house
• •Wear headphones/earplugs during break
• •No judgment
• •Support each other

Get Help:

• •Family or friends to hold baby
• •Even 30 minutes helps
• •Don't refuse offers of help
• •Postpartum doula
• •Support groups

Protect Your Mental Health:

• •This is HARD
• •Constant crying is torture
• •You may feel rage - that's normal
• •Talk to someone
• •see your healthcare provider if feeling depressed
• •This doesn't last forever

NEVER:

• •✗ Shake baby (can cause death or brain damage)
• •✗ Hit or harm baby
• •✗ Drive when exhausted
• •✗ Fall asleep with baby unsafely

If You Feel Like Hurting Baby:

• •Put baby down safely immediately
• •Call someone (partner, family, friend)
• •Call crisis hotline: 988
• •call your healthcare provider
• •Go to ER if needed
• •This is medical emergency for YOU

The Good News:

• •Colic ALWAYS ends
• •Usually by 3-4 months
• •Suddenly one day it's just... better
• •No long-term effects on baby
• •Baby won't remember
• •Doesn't mean baby will be "difficult" later

You Will Make It Through:

• •Take it day by day, hour by hour
• •You're doing better than you think
• •You're not failing
• •Baby isn't crying AT you
• •This is the hardest phase
• •It gets so much better

What Helps:

• •Support from others who've been through it
• •Reminding yourself it's temporary
• •Celebrating small wins
• •Being gentle with yourself
• •Lowering expectations
• •Accepting imperfection

After It Ends:

• •You'll barely remember how bad it was
• •You'll be amazed how much easier it got
• •Your bond with baby will be fine
• •You're stronger than you know
• •You survived one of the hardest things

Resources:

• •Period of PURPLE Crying (website)
• •Dunstan Baby Language
• •The Happiest Baby on the Block book/video
• •Your healthcare provider
• •Colic support groups
• •Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773