Childhood Illnesses

Colic

Colic is the name we give to the symptoms when an otherwise well and thriving baby cries a lot. You might notice their crying is worse at certain times of the day or night. A baby with colic can be really hard to settle. It can be very tiring and stressful for parents and carers.

A baby might have colic if:

They cry for more than 3 hours a day
On 3 days or more each week
This carries on for at least a week.

Colic usually begins when a baby is a few weeks old and will mostly have passed by the time they are 4-6 months old. As well as crying you might notice they:

Seem very ‘tense’ clenching their fists and having a red face
Bring their knees up to their tummy
Arch their backs
Be ‘windy’ (trumping) and have a rumbling tummy.

If your young baby is crying a lot and you are worried they might be unwell you should always seek medical advice.

We would not recommend the use of products such as those inserted into the baby's rectum to relieve wind/colic as these could cause harm if not used correctly. Please see the advice below to relieve wind/colic safely.

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Things That Can Help Your Baby

If you think your baby has colic, there are some things you can do that can help.

Cuddling & Feeding

Cuddle your baby. Take it in turns with your partner or other family members. You will not spoil your baby. You will let them know you care that they are crying - and want to make it better.
Wind your baby during feeds and at the end – hold your baby upright to help any wind pass through. Sucking a dummy can help some babies.
Be careful not to overfeed your baby. This can be easy to do when you are trying everything to settle them.

Movement

Gently rock your baby in your arms / pram / Moses basket.
Try a warm bath for your baby (you could get in together).
Some babies benefit from baby massage. Ask your health visitor or ring Just One Number for information about local classes. This NCT video gives some simple massage tips you can try yourself.

Environment

Some babies respond well to background noise like soft music. Other babies like ‘white noise’ –you could try an out of tune radio.
It helps some babies to be in a very calm environment – dim the lights, turn off the TV and you can both try and relax (deep, slow breaths help stressed parents!).

Things That Can Help You

It can be really hard when you can’t settle your baby – it can really knock your confidence. Try and get help for yourself.

Talk to friends and family – a lot of them will know what you are going through and be there to support you. You could join our online parent community to chat to other parents and carers who might have been through the same.
Call Just One Number to speak to a health professional from our service.
Get out of the house when you can – fresh air and a change of scene will help you both.
Have a look at the free online Solihull Parenting Course – it can really help your confidence and reassure you that you are doing all you can.

If It's Feeling Too Much

If you find you are feeling ‘wound up’ by your baby’s crying;

Put them somewhere safe – like their Moses basket / cot.
Go into another room until the feeling has passed. You could try these calming breathing exercises.
Call on your partner, family or friends to give you a break if at all possible.
Contact Just One Number to talk to a health professional. You will not be judged for seeking help. People understand caring for a crying baby is really tough.

Looking after yourself is really important and helps you look after your baby. Although it might not feel like it at the time, the colicky stage will pass for your baby and for you.

Who can Help?

You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.

The Lullaby Trust - Baby Check App- This app has simple checks that you can do if your baby is ill and helps you think about whether they need to see a doctor or health professional.