Colic in newborns

Colic in newborns: A complete guide for exhausted parents

Evening crying that cannot be soothed, clenched legs, a tense belly — this picture is familiar to many parents. Colic is not a disease but a functional condition characterized by episodes of intense, inconsolable crying in a healthy baby. It is one of the greatest challenges for the nervous system of new parents, but it’s important to remember: it’s temporary, and you’re not doing anything wrong.

What is colic? "The Rule of Three"

The classic definition of colic, proposed by pediatrician Morris Vessey, is the "rule of three":

• Crying lasts more than 3 hours a day.
• It occurs more than 3 days a week.
• It lasts more than 3 consecutive weeks.

Episodes usually start at the same time, most often in the evening. During an episode the baby may turn red, arch the back, and pull the legs toward the abdomen. Colic typically begins at 2–3 weeks of life, peaks around the 6th week, and resolves on its own by 3–4 months.

Causes of colic: The mystery remains unsolved

The exact cause of colic is still unknown, but several leading theories exist:

• Immaturity of the digestive system. It is believed that the newborn’s intestine has not yet fully adapted to digesting food, which can cause spasms and increased gas production (gas pain).
• Immaturity of the nervous system. The baby’s nervous system cannot yet "filter" the impressions accumulated during the day. Evening crying is a way to "release" tension and overstimulation.
• Formation of the microbiome. The process of colonizing the intestine with bacteria can cause temporary discomfort.

It is important to understand that colic is a diagnosis of exclusion. Before attributing everything to it, the pediatrician must ensure the baby has no other issues, such as reflux or allergy. Read about evidence‑based methods of help in our article "Colic in infants: evidence‑based methods", and also get inspired by other parents’ experiences in the blog "Our story of fighting colic".