There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from standing in a dim room at 9pm, gently bouncing a baby who has been crying for over an hour, with no obvious reason and nothing you try seeming to help. If you're reading this at that exact moment — or bracing for it because it's happened before — you're not doing anything wrong, and your baby probably isn't either. This is one of the most common, most misunderstood, and most temporary phases of early parenthood: colic.
This guide walks through what colic actually is, why it happens, what genuinely helps versus what's just folklore, and — most importantly — how to tell the difference between ordinary colic and something that needs a doctor's attention.
What Is A Colic Baby
Colic is generally defined by paediatricians using something called the "rule of three": crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. It typically starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around 6 weeks, and usually resolves on its own by 3-4 months.
The important part of that definition is "otherwise healthy." Colic isn't a disease or a sign that something is medically wrong — it's a pattern of intense crying with no clearly identifiable cause, which is exactly what makes it so distressing for parents. You can't fix what you can't diagnose, and colic, by definition, doesn't have one single diagnosable cause.
Why It Happens (The Honest Answer: We're Not Entirely Sure)
Despite how common colic is, researchers still don't have one definitive explanation. What we do know is that several factors are commonly involved, and it's often a combination rather than one single cause:
An immature digestive system. A newborn's gut is still developing the muscle coordination and gut flora needed to move gas and digested milk smoothly. Trapped gas or discomfort from this immaturity is one of the leading theories.
Swallowed air during feeding. Babies who feed quickly, or whose latch isn't quite right (breast or bottle), can swallow air along with milk, which becomes trapped and painful as it moves through the digestive tract.
Overstimulation. Newborns have an immature nervous system, and by evening, after a full day of sounds, light, and handling, some babies simply reach a point of sensory overload that comes out as crying because they have no other way to self-regulate yet.
Sensitivity to something in the diet. In breastfed babies, something in the mother's diet (dairy is the most commonly discussed) occasionally plays a role. In formula-fed babies, the specific formula can sometimes be a factor. This is worth discussing with a paediatrician rather than guessing and eliminating foods on your own.
What Actually Helps (Tried and Evidence-Backed)
Work Through Feeding Technique First
If gas is a likely contributor, small adjustments to feeding can make a real difference:
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Burp your baby more frequently during feeds, not just at the end
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If bottle-feeding, check that the flow isn't too fast, which causes gulping and swallowed air
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Feed in a more upright position, which naturally reduces air intake
Gentle Digestive Support
Once feeding technique has been checked, gentle relief for trapped gas and digestive discomfort is often the next step parents look into. Chymorelax Syrup is formulated specifically for this kind of everyday digestive discomfort in babies, aimed at calming colic-related fussiness gently.
Movement and Motion
Babies often settle with rhythmic motion — this isn't a myth, it genuinely mimics the constant movement they experienced in the womb:
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Gentle bouncing or swaying (not vigorous shaking — always support the head and neck)
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A short walk in a stroller or carrier
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A car ride, which combines motion with white noise from the engine
White Noise and Swaddling
A calm, contained environment can help an overstimulated nervous system settle:
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White noise machines or even a running fan can mask sudden, startling sounds
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Swaddling (done correctly, with hips left free to move) recreates the snug feeling of the womb
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Dimming lights in the evening signals "wind down" more effectively than most parents expect
Tummy Time and Gentle Massage
A gentle clockwise tummy massage, or laying your baby tummy-down across your forearm ("colic hold"), can apply gentle pressure that helps move trapped gas along.
The "Five S's" Method
Paediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp's well-known approach combines five techniques that mimic the womb environment: Swaddle, Side/stomach position (while held, not for sleep), Shush (white noise), Swing (gentle motion), and Suck (pacifier or feeding). Many parents find combining several of these together works better than any single one alone.
What Doesn't Reliably Help (Despite Common Advice)
It's worth being honest here too — not everything commonly suggested has solid backing:
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Constantly switching formulas rarely solves colic unless a genuine sensitivity has been identified by a doctor
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Over-the-counter remedies not intended for infants should never be given without paediatric guidance, regardless of what's suggested informally
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"Just let them cry it out" isn't appropriate advice for young infants experiencing colic — responding to and comforting a crying baby doesn't create bad habits at this age; it's developmentally appropriate care
Taking Care of Yourself Through It
This part gets left out of most colic guides, and it shouldn't be. Weeks of inconsolable crying are genuinely hard on a parent's mental and physical state. It's okay to:
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Put your baby down safely in their crib and step into another room for two minutes if you feel overwhelmed
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Ask a partner, family member, or friend to take a shift so you can rest
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Talk to your doctor if you're finding yourself feeling persistently overwhelmed, exhausted beyond normal new-parent tiredness, or low — support exists, and asking for it isn't a failure
When to See a Doctor Instead of Waiting It Out
Most colic is exactly what it sounds like — exhausting, but not dangerous, and self-resolving with time. See a doctor promptly if you notice:
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Fever (any fever in a baby under 3 months needs same-day medical attention)
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Crying that sounds different — noticeably weaker, higher-pitched, or unusual in tone
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Vomiting (especially forceful/projectile), diarrhea, or blood in stool
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Poor weight gain or feeding refusal
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Unusual lethargy or difficulty waking
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Crying accompanied by a swollen or hard belly
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Your instinct simply telling you something is wrong — parental instinct is a legitimate signal, not something to second-guess into silence
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does colic usually last?
Most cases peak around 6 weeks of age and resolve on their own by 3-4 months, though the exact timeline varies by baby. It is, by definition, temporary.
Is colic caused by something I did wrong during pregnancy or feeding?
No. Colic is not caused by parenting choices, and there is no reliable evidence linking it to anything specific a parent did or didn't do. It happens even with attentive, careful feeding and care.
Can Chymorelax be used for newborns?
Always check the age guidance on the product packaging and consult your paediatrician before giving any product to a very young infant, particularly in the first few weeks of life.
Is it normal for colic to happen mainly in the evening?
Yes — this is actually one of the most consistent patterns reported, often called "witching hour." The exact reason isn't fully understood, but evening clusters of fussiness are extremely common and don't usually indicate anything is wrong beyond typical colic.
Should I change what I eat if I'm breastfeeding?
Don't eliminate entire food groups on your own based on guesswork. If you suspect a dietary link, discuss it with your paediatrician first, since unnecessary restriction can affect your own nutrition without solving the issue.