Why Is My Baby Crying? Colic and How to Comfort Them

In the early weeks, crying is your baby's only language — and some babies cry a lot even when nothing is wrong. Having a calm, ordered approach helps you respond without spiralling.

The quick checklist

Most cries have a simple cause. Run through:

• Hungry? Offer a feed — newborns feed often, including cluster feeds in the evening.
• Dirty or wet nappy? Check and change.
• Too hot or cold? Feel the chest or back of the neck (not hands or feet). Dress in one more layer than you're wearing.
• Tired or overstimulated? An overtired baby often cries harder. Try a calm, dim, quiet space.
• Wind? Hold upright and wind after feeds.
• Just needs you? Closeness, movement and your heartbeat are genuine needs, not "spoiling".

What colic actually is

Colic is the term for repeated, prolonged, intense crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy, growing well and feeding fine. The classic pattern is crying for hours, often clustered in the late afternoon and evening, sometimes with a red face, clenched fists and drawn-up legs. It typically starts in the first few weeks, peaks around 6 weeks, and settles by 3–4 months.

Colic is exhausting but not dangerous, and it is not caused by anything you're doing wrong.

Calming techniques that help

Different babies respond to different things — work through them:

• Hold and movement: rocking, swaying, a walk in the sling or pram
• Skin-to-skin contact
• White noise or a steady shushing sound (a running tap, a white-noise app)
• A warm bath
• Gentle tummy massage and bicycling their legs for trapped wind
• A change of scene — sometimes stepping outside resets everyone
• Reducing stimulation — dim lights, less noise, fewer people passing the baby round

Looking after yourself

Relentless crying is one of the hardest parts of early parenthood. If you feel overwhelmed, it is safe and sensible to put your baby down somewhere safe (on their back in the cot), step away for a few minutes, and breathe. Never shake a baby — it can cause fatal injury. Ask for help early: a partner, friend, or your health visitor. Cry-sit support lines exist for exactly this.

Red flags — get medical help

Crying with any of these needs prompt medical attention. Call 111, your GP, or 999 if severe:

• A high temperature (38°C or above under 3 months, 39°C or above at 3–6 months)
• A weak, high-pitched or continuous cry that sounds different from usual
• Not feeding, far fewer wet nappies, or being very hard to wake
• Vomiting green fluid, blood in nappies, or a bulging soft spot
• Difficulty breathing, or a rash that doesn't fade under a glass
• Your instinct that something is genuinely wrong — always worth acting on

Trust yourself. You know your baby, and health professionals would always rather check a baby who turns out to be fine.