Colic

Overview

Colic is a medical term used to describe intense, often hard-to-explain crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It can also describe sharp, wave-like tummy pain in older children and adults — for example, pain caused by gallstones or kidney stones. In babies, colic is a common passing phase, not an illness and not something you have caused.

Yes. Infant colic affects around 20% of babies in the first months of life. Colicky-type pain from gallstones or kidney stones is less common, but it is a well-recognised reason for adults to seek medical help.

Infant colic most often affects babies from 2 weeks to 4 months old, and it affects boys and girls equally. In older children and adults, the term 'colic' describes cramping abdominal pain, commonly linked to trapped wind, constipation, gallstones, or kidney stones.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Intense crying spells, often in the late afternoon or evening
• Crying that continues for hours despite feeding, cuddling, or winding
• A red, pained face with clenched fists, an arched back, and knees drawn up
• A swollen or tense tummy that seems to ease after passing wind
• Difficulty settling, with the baby seeming restless or distressed

Symptoms in children

• Cramping, griping tummy pains that come and go in waves
• Feeling bloated or 'full of wind'
• A tender tummy between episodes
• Not wanting to eat much during an episode

Symptoms in older adults

• Biliary colic — a constant, aching pain under the right ribs, often after a fatty meal, lasting from 1 to 5 hours
• Renal colic — an intense, cramping pain in the lower back or side that comes in waves and may travel to the groin
• Intestinal colic — waves of cramping abdominal pain, sometimes with nausea, vomiting, or a change in bowel habit

Causes

Main causes

• Infant colic has no single clear cause. It is likely a combination of an immature digestive system, swallowing air during feeding, overstimulation, and a nervous system that has not yet learnt to self-soothe.
• In older children, colicky pain is often linked to trapped gas, constipation, or an upset stomach from something they ate or from an infection.
• In adults, colicky pain is usually caused by something blocking or stretching a tube-shaped organ — such as a gallstone in the bile duct, a kidney stone in the ureter, or a bowel blockage.

Risk factors

• Being born prematurely or with a low birth weight
• A family history of colic or headaches
• Formula feeding — though breastfed babies can also have colic
• Exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy or in the home
• Stress or tension in the home environment, as babies can pick up on parental stress

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any of the emergency signs listed above — call your local emergency number immediately
• A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher
• A baby who is hard to wake, is floppy, or is having seizures — call your local emergency number immediately

Book a routine appointment if:

• Your baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, on most days, for more than 3 weeks
• You are concerned your baby is in pain, is not gaining weight, or is not feeding well
• Crying continues past 4–5 months of age
• As an adult, you have recurring bouts of cramping abdominal pain that do not settle within a day

Diagnosis

A doctor or health visitor will usually diagnose colic by listening to your story and examining the baby. There is no specific test. They will look for the classic pattern of the 'rule of threes' and make sure your baby is growing and thriving. For adults, diagnosis depends on the location and pattern of the pain, and may involve blood tests or scans.

Tests that may be done

• Usually none are needed for infant colic
• For adults, an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan may be used to look for gallstones or kidney stones
• Urine tests may be used to check for infection or blood from kidney stones
• Blood tests may be used to look for signs of infection or organ problems

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will ask about feeding patterns, nappy output, and crying episodes. They may weigh your baby and plot this on a growth chart. Most of the time you will leave with reassurance and practical calming strategies. For adults, you may be referred for scans or to a specialist clinic if the pain keeps coming back.

Treatment

There is no simple cure for colic. In babies, the aim is to comfort and settle, and to help parents cope with the demands of a crying baby. In adults, treatment targets the underlying cause — for example, managing gallstones, helping a kidney stone pass, or relieving a blockage.

Self-care at home

• Hold your baby in a calm, dim room with gentle rhythmic motion — rocking, swaying, or using a baby sling
• Try white noise or a soft 'shush' sound near the ear, which can be soothing for a newborn
• Swaddle your baby firmly but comfortably, and try skin-to-skin time against your chest
• Pause, slow down, and sit down — stop everything for 5 slow minutes and cradle your baby
• For adult cramps — rest, apply gentle warmth such as a warm towel or hot water bottle to the painful area, and sip water

Medical treatments

For infant colic, a healthcare professional may discuss soothing products, probiotic supplements, or possible changes to the breastfeeding parent's diet. Any product should only be used after speaking with your GP, midwife, health visitor, or pharmacist. For adults, pain relief and medications to relax the muscles of the bile or urinary ducts may be given in hospital, alongside fluids and monitoring. Always follow the advice of your qualified healthcare provider.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used for infant colic. For adults, if gallstones or kidney stones keep causing colicky pain, a specialist may suggest a procedure to remove or break up the stone — for example, keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder or a minor procedure to treat a kidney stone.

Living with this condition

Colic is exhausting — for you and your baby. Make a simple plan with your partner or someone you trust so you get uninterrupted rest. If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby safely in their cot on their back, walk into another room, and take 10 deep breaths. Never shake a baby — it can cause permanent injury. There is always someone you can call for support.

Lifestyle tips

• Try to eat well and drink enough water — a drained parent cannot soothe a baby well
• Set a gentle daily rhythm of feeding, play, and sleep — babies find patterns calming
• Take it in turns to respond when the baby cries — a very tired parent can feel more agitated
• Keep the home calm during 'crying hour' — switch off bright lights, turn down screens, and speak in quiet voices

Diet and exercise

If you are breastfeeding, stay well hydrated and eat a balanced diet. Some mothers notice certain foods, such as cow's milk, caffeine, or vegetables like cabbage, seem to affect their baby — but only change your diet after discussing it with a professional. For adults with colicky pain, regular walking and gentle exercise can support digestion, and drinking plenty of water helps prevent kidney stones.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Caring for a colicky baby is one of the most stressful experiences a new parent can face. It is normal to feel anxious, guilty, exhausted, or even resentful at times. These feelings matter. If you notice your mood is low, you are tearful most days, or you are having worrying thoughts about yourself or your baby, please speak to your GP or midwife. You are not a bad parent for feeling overwhelmed.

Prevention

There is no reliable way to prevent colic because it is not fully understood. However, feeding in a calm, upright position, burping regularly, and responding early to your baby's hunger cues may reduce some distress. The most effective 'prevention' is looking after your own sleep and wellbeing — because a calm adult calms a baby.

Vaccines

Vaccinations do not cause colic and are not used to prevent it. It is important to follow your local childhood vaccination schedule so that other causes of crying and illness can be ruled out.

Screening programmes

There is no screening test for colic. During regular check-ups, your health visitor or GP will monitor your baby's growth, feeding, and behaviour, which helps reassure you that everything is on track.

Complications

If left untreated

• Infant colic itself does not harm the baby, but severe, unrelieved crying can strain the parent–child relationship
• Parental sleep deprivation, stress, and postnatal depression are real complications of caring for a colicky baby
• Shaken baby syndrome — a rare but completely preventable injury — can happen when a frustrated caregiver shakes a baby out of anger or exhaustion

Long-term outlook

The outlook is very good. Most babies grow out of colic by 3–4 months of age, with no lasting effects on their development, personality, or health. For adults, colicky pain nearly always improves once the underlying cause, such as a stone or blockage, is properly treated. You will get through this stage — help and support will make the journey easier.

Find support

International organisations

• NHS (UK) — Colic information ↗
• Cry-sis (UK) — Support for families with crying or sleepless babies ↗
• ICON Cope (UK) — Baby crying prevention programme ↗

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.