Baby health
5 minutes to observe and record the crying pattern and symptoms
5 steps
To tell whether your baby may have colic, look for recurrent episodes of intense crying that are difficult to soothe, often later in the day, after checking for hunger, a dirty diaper, temperature, and the need to be held. Drawing up the legs, clenched fists, and a red face may accompany the crying, but they do not confirm colic. Fever, frequent vomiting, blood in the stool, refusal to feed, or difficulty gaining weight require professional evaluation.
What is baby colic?
Infant colic is the term used for repeated episodes of intense, difficult-to-soothe crying in a baby who otherwise appears healthy. It can begin during the first few weeks of life and often occurs in the late afternoon or evening. Some babies clench their fists, develop a red face, draw up their legs, or arch their back while crying.
These signs do not prove that the baby has colic. The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics explains that diagnosis considers the recurring crying pattern, the baby's health, and a clinical evaluation. There is no home test that can confirm the cause. The pediatrician also checks for other possible reasons for the baby's discomfort.
How to recognize a pattern consistent with colic
Observe whether the crying occurs repeatedly throughout the week, whether it is difficult to stop, and whether it tends to happen at similar times. Write down when it begins, how long it lasts, what happened beforehand, and how the baby behaves between episodes. A recurring pattern can help a healthcare professional understand the situation, but babies do not need to reach an exact number of crying hours before the family asks for help.
Colic usually improves as the baby grows, often by 3 or 4 months, but every baby develops differently. If the crying continues beyond this period, changes in pattern, or is accompanied by other symptoms, do not assume it is still colic: talk to the pediatrician to evaluate other possibilities.
Other common reasons babies cry
Hunger, a wet or dirty diaper, sleepiness, feeling cold or hot, overstimulation, and wanting to be held are common reasons for crying. Start by checking these needs. If the baby settles after feeding, a diaper change, or being comforted, this may explain that particular episode, although the baby may cry for different reasons at another time.
Reflux, feeding difficulties, and constipation can also cause discomfort. Crying during feeding, refusing to eat, repeated vomiting, or hard stools are important details to report to a healthcare professional. Gas alone does not confirm colic, and straining to have a bowel movement does not necessarily mean constipation; stool consistency and the overall situation matter.
What you can do to comfort your baby
Hold the baby close to your body, talk or sing in a calm voice, gently rock them, or reduce noise and light if the environment is overstimulating. During feeding, observe whether the baby is comfortable and properly positioned. A burping break may help some babies, but there is no single technique that always works or stops every episode.
Continue the baby's usual feeding routine and seek guidance before changing formula, restricting foods from the mother's diet, or offering supplements. Teas, drops, and medications marketed for colic may not have proven benefits and may carry risks. Do not perform vigorous massages, manipulate the baby's spine or head, or place hot objects on the baby's abdomen.
Signs that require medical evaluation
Do not automatically attribute signs such as fever, repeated or projectile vomiting, green vomit, blood in the stool, a very swollen abdomen, refusal to feed, difficulty breathing, decreased urination, or difficulty gaining weight to colic. A weak, high-pitched, or unusual cry, as well as extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking, also deserves attention.
In babies under 3 months, a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires immediate contact with a healthcare professional. Seek urgent medical care if there is difficulty breathing, bluish or purple skin, lack of responsiveness, or rapid worsening. If you are unsure, provide the baby's age, symptoms, and when they began; do not wait for another episode before seeking guidance.
Caring for the caregiver
Prolonged crying can be exhausting, even when there is no serious problem. Ask someone you trust to take turns caring for the baby, help with tasks, or stay with the baby while you rest. If the situation is becoming difficult to manage or you feel that you are reaching your limit, tell the pediatrician or healthcare team. Caregiver well-being matters too.
If you are very upset or afraid you may lose control, place the baby on their back in a safe crib without loose objects and step away for a few minutes to breathe and call someone for help. Never shake a baby. Shaking can cause serious injuries; asking for help is the safe choice.
How to observe your baby's crying
Check basic needs, record the pattern, and watch for other symptoms
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1
Check basic needs
Check whether the baby may be hungry, have a wet or dirty diaper, feel cold or hot, or be tired, and hold them if they seem to need comfort. If the crying decreases after a need is addressed, this can help you understand the episode, but it does not determine the cause on its own.
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2
Record the crying pattern
Observe whether the crying occurs repeatedly over several days, what time it happens, and how long it lasts. Also note whether the baby draws up their legs, clenches their fists, or turns red. These behaviors may occur with colic but can also happen in other situations; do not use this list to diagnose your baby at home.
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3
Observe the relationship with feedings
If the crying occurs during feedings, observe whether the baby can latch onto the breast or bottle without difficulty and whether they seem uncomfortable when swallowing. Pause if necessary and ask for help reviewing feeding position and latch. Persistent crying during feedings should be discussed with the pediatrician.
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4
Provide comfort safely
Try simple measures such as holding the baby close to your body, talking or singing softly, gently rocking them, or reducing stimulation in the environment. A strategy may soothe the baby at one time and not work at another. Never shake the baby or use teas, drops, medications, or vigorous massage without professional guidance.
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Talk to the pediatrician if you have concerns or notice warning signs
Seek guidance if the crying is different from usual, if you are concerned, or if the episodes do not improve. Seek prompt medical care for fever in a baby under 3 months, difficulty breathing or feeding, repeated or green vomit, blood in the stool, excessive sleepiness, or decreased urination.
Colic crying or another discomfort?
Important Tips
Write down when the crying starts, how long it lasts, what happened beforehand, and what helped soothe the baby.
Ask for help sharing caregiving responsibilities, especially during times when the crying tends to be more difficult.
If the baby falls asleep while being held or after being soothed, place them on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface designed for babies.
Avoid comparing your baby's crying with other families' experiences: the duration and pattern can vary.
Bring the Child Health Record and your notes to healthcare appointments.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Does crying a lot and having a red face mean my baby has colic?
No. Crying and a red face can occur because of hunger, a dirty diaper, tiredness, feeling too hot or cold, or wanting to be held. Colic is considered when crying episodes are recurrent and difficult to soothe after other needs and possible causes have been checked. Only a healthcare professional can properly evaluate the baby.
Does baby colic always happen at the same time?
There is no specific time when colic must occur. Some babies have more predictable episodes in the late afternoon or evening, but this pattern alone does not confirm colic. Observe whether the crying is recurrent, how long it lasts, and whether there are other symptoms.
Does a gassy baby have colic?
Not necessarily. Colic can occur in healthy babies and is not confirmed by gas alone. If there is blood in the stool, fever, frequent vomiting, refusal to feed, or difficulty gaining weight, seek medical evaluation.
Until what age can a baby have colic?
Colic often begins during the first few weeks and improves significantly by 3 or 4 months, although the timing varies. If the episodes persist, worsen, or are accompanied by other signs, talk to your pediatrician.
Do I need to change my diet or my baby's formula because of colic?
Do not change the mother's diet, formula, or supplements on your own. Crying and spit-up alone do not confirm an allergy or intolerance. Talk to your pediatrician before eliminating foods or changing your baby's feeding routine.
What should I do when my baby's crying is pushing me to my limit?
Never shake a baby. If you are exhausted or feel that you are losing your patience, place the baby on their back in a safe crib, step away for a few minutes, and ask someone you trust for help. Resume caring for the baby when you feel calmer.
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