“Colic” is commonly used to describe periods of prolonged, unexplained crying in babies. Your baby may seem very restless, pull their legs up toward their tummy, or be difficult to comfort, even after feeding or changing their diaper. 

Prolonged crying is common and can last up to two hours a day, peaking around 6 to 8 weeks (1). 

This does not mean that every crying spell is caused by colic. During the first few months, your baby also cries to express hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or simply a need to be held. Even a healthy baby can cry for an average of up to two hours a day (2). 

Why does your baby have colic? 

There is not always a specific cause that can be identified. And that is precisely what can be frustrating for parents: your baby has eaten, their diaper is clean, they do not have a fever, but they keep crying. 

Good to know: If your baby is growing well and does not have any other symptoms, these episodes generally tend to gradually decrease over time. 

You can also find out: everything you need to know about spitting up and constipation in babies. 

Breastfeeding and colic: could your milk be to blame? 

When crying occurs right after a feeding, it is easy to make the connection with breastfeeding. However, colic does not mean that your breast milk is “bad” or unsuitable. 

Breast milk meets your baby’s nutritional needs during their first few months. The pace and duration of feedings can vary from one child to another: the important thing is to adapt to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues (3). 

If feedings are difficult, your baby frequently lets go of the breast, becomes restless, or seems uncomfortable while feeding, you can talk to a midwife, your pediatrician, or a breastfeeding professional. An outside perspective can sometimes help you find a more comfortable position for both of you. 

Should your baby burp after a feeding? 

Some babies swallow air while feeding and benefit from a short break after a meal. You can hold your baby close for a few minutes and see if they need it. 

Not all babies necessarily burp after every feeding. Some need to almost every time, while others need it much less often: you can simply observe your baby and see what works best for them. 

Also read: how to help your baby burp​? 

Can the mother’s diet cause colic? 

This is often one of the first questions parents ask. Cabbage, broccoli, legumes, cheese, spicy dishes… should you start cutting out foods when your baby cries a lot? 

During breastfeeding and the postpartum period, the mother’s diet should remain varied and balanced. It is generally not necessary to cut certain foods from your meals solely because your baby has colic (4). 

What about lactose? 

Lactose is the sugar naturally found in milk. In babies, lactose intolerance is considered exceptional. Colic alone is therefore not enough to conclude that there is lactose intolerance. 

Should cow’s milk be removed from their diet? 

Once again, not without a specific reason. 

An allergy to cow’s milk protein can cause babies to experience various digestive and sometimes skin symptoms. When this allergy is genuinely suspected by a pediatrician, removing cow’s milk protein for a set period may be recommended, followed by reintroduction to check for a link with the symptoms (5). 

This process should therefore be carried out with a healthcare professional. Colic alone is not a sufficient reason to spontaneously remove milk, cheese, and other dairy products from your diet. 

When a crying spell starts, you naturally want to find THE one thing that works every time. Unfortunately, there is no single solution that works for every baby. You can, however, try different ways to soothe them and see which ones they prefer. 

Start by checking their basic needs 

Before thinking about colic, simply check whether your baby is hungry, needs a nappy change, is too hot, too cold, or sleepy. 

If everything seems fine in that regard, your presence alone can do a lot. It is particularly recommended to hold your baby in your arms, gently rub their tummy, dim the lights and reduce stimulation, or rock them with slow movements (6). 

Physical contact to soothe them 

Some babies calm down when held close to their parent. A walk in your arms, in a pushchair, or in a suitable baby carrier can also comfort them (6). 

You can also try a very gentle tummy massage if your baby seems to enjoy it. The idea is not to insist or apply pressure, but simply to offer them a calm and reassuring moment. 

Soft music, your voice, or a few minutes in a dimmer room can also help when the day has been full of stimulation (6). 

Can you offer the breast during a crying spell? 

Yes, if your baby shows signs of hunger or is rooting for the breast. Sucking can also be soothing. 

But not all crying necessarily means "I'm hungry". Your baby may also need sleep, to be held, or simply to return to a calmer environment. 

During feeds, try to make yourself comfortable and let your baby feed at their own pace. 

What if the milk comes in very quickly? 

In some breastfeeding women, the milk can come in very strongly or be produced in large quantities. Your baby may then swallow very quickly, cough, pull off the breast, become restless during the feed, or seem more bothered by gas. 

In this case, some more upright positions, with your baby positioned above the breast, can help them manage the flow better. You can also take a short break when the milk comes in very strongly, then put your baby back on the breast once the flow has slowed down a little. If this happens often, it is best to speak to a midwife or a breastfeeding professional (6). 

When faced with repeated crying, the temptation is understandable: probiotic drops and various products are presented to parents as possible aids. 

For an infant, it is best, however, to avoid using a medication or supplement on your own initiative. Your child's age, symptoms, and state of health are important factors in choosing what can be offered to them. 

Ask your doctor, pediatrician, or pharmacist for advice before use. What helped a loved one's baby may not necessarily be suitable for yours. 

When should crying prompt you to seek medical advice? 

You gradually become familiar with your baby's habits. If their crying changes suddenly or is accompanied by other signs, it is best to seek medical advice. 

Seek advice in particular if your infant refuses to feed, is no longer gaining weight properly, has severe or greenish vomiting, blood in their stool, very unusual behavior, or a particularly swollen and painful belly (1, 5). 

Similarly, if your baby is not crying at all as usual and nothing seems to comfort them, contact a healthcare professional (2). 

What if colic becomes difficult for parents to cope with? 

Repeated crying, especially in the evening or at night, can be very distressing. You do not have to deal with these moments alone. 

If you feel your tension rising, lay your baby safely on their back in their cot, leave the room for a moment, and ask a loved one or a professional for help. An infant should never be shaken (7). 

During this period, also accept the support offered to you. Handing over the reins for a few minutes, resting, or simply talking about these difficult days can make a real difference. 

Continue to observe your baby, try soothing techniques that seem to calm them, and speak to a professional if something worries you. The first few weeks can be intense, but these episodes tend to ease as your infant grows. 

Do breastfed babies have fewer colic episodes than bottle-fed babies? 

Colic affects both breastfed and bottle-fed babies. It occurs in otherwise healthy infants and does not indicate that the mother’s milk is unsuitable (1). Feeding method is therefore not a reliable indicator: instead, pay attention to how your baby feeds, how they latch, their comfort while drinking, and their weight gain. 

Should you offer only one breast per feeding if your baby has colic? 

There is no rule that applies to all babies. The easiest approach is to let your baby finish the first breast and pull away on their own, so they can also benefit from the fattier milk at the end of the feed, then offer the second breast if they still show signs of hunger (3). If you produce a lot of milk or have a very strong let-down, a midwife or breastfeeding professional can help you adjust how your baby feeds (6). 

Can coffee and tea during breastfeeding make colic worse? 

Small amounts of caffeine pass into breast milk. Moderate consumption of around 200 mg per day, or about two cups of coffee, is considered safe for a breastfed baby (8). During the first few weeks, and especially if your baby was born prematurely, they break down caffeine more slowly: some babies may therefore become more restless or sleep less well. If you suspect a link, reduce your consumption for a few days and see what happens. Energy drinks should be avoided while breastfeeding (9). 

What should you eat while breastfeeding to prevent colic? 

No particular diet can prevent colic. While breastfeeding, the goal remains a varied and balanced diet, without precautionarily cutting out cabbage, legumes, spicy dishes, or dairy products (4). Cutting out a food only makes sense if a healthcare professional suspects an allergy, for example to cow’s milk proteins: the food is then excluded for a set period, followed by reintroduction to check whether it is linked to the symptoms (5). 

Sources 

(1) Assurance Maladie — Infant regurgitation: what should you do? 

(2) Assurance Maladie — 3 medical follow-up examinations until the baby is 2 months old 

(3) Assurance Maladie — Your baby’s first few months: milk only 

(4) Assurance Maladie — Medication and breastfeeding 

(5) Assurance Maladie — Infant reflux: diagnosis and management 

(6) La Leche League International — Abundant milk supply and rapid let-down 

(7) Assurance Maladie — Shaken baby syndrome 

(8) EFSA (European Food Safety Authority): Scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine (« Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine »), EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102, adopted on 23 April 2015 and published on 27 May 2015, DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102 

(9) Anses: Opinion on the risk assessment of so-called « energy drinks », case no. 2012-SA-0212, signed on 6 September 2013 and published on 1 October 2013