Short answer: Colic means a healthy baby cries for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least a week; it usually stops by three to four months. Reflux means bringing milk back up during or after feeds; it's very common, usually starts before eight weeks and gets better by one year. Neither usually needs treatment if your baby is feeding, growing and otherwise well. Holding your baby upright during and after feeds, winding, and comforting help. Get urgent advice for green, yellow or bloody vomit, projectile vomiting, blood in poo, poor weight gain, or a baby who seems unwell.
It starts around five o'clock. Legs pulled up, face red, and an hour — or three — of screaming. You've rocked, fed, changed and danced. Nothing works. Then, as suddenly as it started, it stops.
Colic
Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there's no obvious cause. Signs include crying that's intense and hard to soothe, often in the late afternoon or evening, a red face, clenched fists and legs drawn up to the tummy. It can start when a baby is a few weeks old, and usually stops by three to four months.
The cause isn't known. It isn't caused by anything you did.
Colic always passes. That's thin comfort at eight in the evening — but it's true.
What may help with colic
- Hold and comfort your baby when they're crying, and use gentle movement: rocking, a walk in the pram, a sling.
- Sit or hold your baby upright during feeds to reduce swallowed air, and wind them after feeds.
- Calm surroundings: dim the lights, turn off the TV, reduce noise.
- A warm bath may soothe some babies.
- Take turns: hand over to a partner or friend and step outside for a few minutes. Babies pick up on our stress, and you need breaks too.
What isn't recommended
The NHS says colic remedies such as anti-colic drops, herbal or probiotic supplements aren't recommended, and there's no evidence they help. It also advises against spinal manipulation or cranial osteopathy for colic: there's little evidence it works, and it may hurt your baby. Don't change formula or cut foods from your own diet without advice from your GP or health visitor.
Reflux
It's common for babies under one to bring up a little milk during or shortly after a feed. As long as your baby is happy, healthy and gaining weight, reflux usually doesn't need treatment. It typically starts before eight weeks and improves by the first birthday.
Signs of reflux
- bringing up milk or being sick during or after feeds;
- coughing or hiccuping when feeding;
- being unsettled during feeds or refusing feeds;
- swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding.
What helps with reflux
- Hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible afterwards.
- Burp your baby regularly during feeds.
- If bottle feeding, check the teat flow and avoid overfeeding; smaller, more frequent feeds may help.
- Always put your baby to sleep on their back on a flat, firm surface, even with reflux. Don't raise the head of the cot or use wedges.
Sometimes cows' milk allergy causes symptoms similar to reflux, so a GP may check for this.
When to get help
See a GP if your baby isn't gaining weight or is losing weight, still has colic symptoms after four months, or gets reflux for the first time after six months.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 (or your local equivalent) if your baby:
- has green or yellow vomit, or blood in their vomit;
- is projectile vomiting (with much more force than usual);
- has blood in their poo;
- has a high temperature, or seems unwell or unusually sleepy;
- has fewer wet nappies than usual.
Call 999 (UK), 911 (US) or 112 (EU) if your baby has difficulty breathing, blue or grey skin or lips, a swollen, tense tummy with vomiting, or is floppy and hard to wake.
And get help if you can't take any more. Exhaustion from a crying baby is a reason to ask for support, not a weakness.
In the UK, Cry-sis offers a free helpline for parents of crying babies on 0800 448 0737.
Related reading
For the first twelve weeks: The Fourth Trimester (PDF, English) covers the first weeks with your baby — including the crying peak.
Sources
- NHS — Colic.
- NHS — Reflux in babies.
- NHS — Soothing a crying baby.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 20 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your health visitor or doctor.