What is colic? All babies cry, but sometimes a baby will cry for
hours at a time, no matter what you do. This extreme type of
crying in a baby between 3 weeks and 3 months of age is called
colic. Although it is upsetting for parents and caregivers,
colic is normal for some babies. Doctors usually diagnose colic
when a healthy baby cries harder than expected in a "3" pattern:
more than 3 hours a day more than 3 days a week for at least 3
weeks in a row. Colic is usually worst when babies are around 6
to 8 weeks of age and goes away on its own between 8 and 14
weeks of age. It is common to feel scared, upset, or frustrated
when you cannot get your baby to stop crying. But remember that
colic is normal—and temporary. Your baby will grow out of it.
What causes colic? Doctors are not sure what causes colic, but
it may be the result of a baby's sensitive temperament and an
immature nervous system. These things may make a baby cry easily
and have trouble stopping. As babies grow and develop, they are
better able to