Why Won't My Baby Stop Crying? Colic, Crying and How to Cope

What's normal

• Crying usually increases from about 2 weeks, peaks around 6-8 weeks and eases by 3-4 months, often worst in the late afternoon and evening.
• Colic means crying more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and growing. The cause isn't known, and it isn't caused by anything the parents did. Some hospitals teach this stage as the Period of PURPLE Crying® (a program of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome).
• If the fussing is mostly a predictable evening spell and the rest of the day is calm, see the witching hour guide.

What can help

• Check the basics: hungry, wet, too hot or cold, needs a burp.
• The 5 S's: swaddle; side or stomach hold in your arms (never for sleep); shushing or white noise; gentle rhythmic swinging; sucking.
• A walk in a carrier, a car ride, a warm bath.
• There's no proven way to prevent colic, but less swallowed air (good burping, paced bottle feeding, the right nipple flow), short wake windows and calm, dim evenings can reduce crying.
• Don't switch formula or change the breastfeeding parent's diet without the pediatrician; they sometimes suggest it, for example for a suspected cow's milk protein allergy.

Keep everyone safe

• If you're losing your cool, put the baby on their back in their crib, close the door and take 10 minutes. The baby is safe. Call someone to take over if you can.
• Never shake a baby.

When to check in

Call the pediatrician the same day if: - Crying is nonstop for more than 2 hours, or the cry sounds different (high-pitched or weak). - There's any fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher) under 12 weeks, or crying with vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding or a swollen belly. - The baby seems in pain, cries when touched, or can't be comforted at all. - You feel you can't cope, or fear someone might shake the baby. Put the baby on their back in the crib, step away, and call someone for help.