Digestive

Colic Remedy Drops Effectiveness

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician

Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, AAP guidelines

Editorial policy

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Digestive issues are common in infants and toddlers. If your baby is experiencing colic remedy drops effectiveness, here is what you need to know.

The short answer

Most over-the-counter colic drops and remedies have limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Simethicone has some safety data but mixed efficacy evidence. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have the strongest evidence for breastfed babies with colic. The most important thing to know is that colic resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment.

Key takeaways

  • Most over-the-counter colic drops and remedies have limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Simethicone has some safety data but mixed efficacy evidence. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have the strongest evidence for breastfed babies with colic. The most important thing to know is that colic resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment.
  • Usually normal when: Trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance
  • Call your doctor if: Your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms
  • Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“The biggest concern with vomiting is dehydration. Young children can become dehydrated quickly, so it's important to replace fluids. Offer small amounts of an oral rehydration solution frequently.”
— Vomiting in Children, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.

What Parents Should Know

According to AAP, NIH guidelines, most over-the-counter colic drops and remedies have limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Simethicone has some safety data but mixed efficacy evidence. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have the strongest evidence for breastfed babies with colic. The most important thing to know is that colic resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment. At 0-3 months, this is the peak age for colic. Evidence-based options include: Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics for breastfed infants, simethicone drops (safe but unproven), and comfort measures like swaddling, white noise, and motion. Avoid products containing alcohol, herbs with unknown safety profiles, or homeopathic remedies with no evidence base. It is generally considered normal when trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal
Worth Discussing
Trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance
Your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms
Colic resolving on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment
You are feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming your baby due to the crying

By Age

What to expect by age

0-3 months

This is the peak age for colic. Evidence-based options include: Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics for breastfed infants, simethicone drops (safe but unproven), and comfort measures like swaddling, white noise, and motion. Avoid products containing alcohol, herbs with unknown safety profiles, or homeopathic remedies with no evidence base.

3-6 months

Colic typically resolves by 3 to 4 months. If excessive crying persists beyond 4 months, it may not be colic and deserves evaluation for other causes like reflux, food allergy, or other medical conditions. Do not continue using colic drops beyond when they are needed.

6-12 months

Colic should be resolved by this age. If your baby continues to be excessively fussy, discuss with your pediatrician. Persistent crying beyond the colic period is not normal and warrants investigation.

12-24 months

Colic drops are not appropriate for toddlers. If your toddler has abdominal discomfort, the cause should be identified rather than treated with over-the-counter drops.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

  • Describe when you first noticed colic remedy drops effectiveness and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if you want to discuss which colic remedies have the best evidence.
  • Mention if your baby has colic and you need support and guidance.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

What Should You Do?

When to take action

Probably normal when...
  • Trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance
  • Colic resolving on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment
Mention at your next visit when...
  • You want to discuss which colic remedies have the best evidence
  • Your baby has colic and you need support and guidance
  • Nothing seems to help your baby's crying and you are struggling
Act now when...
  • Your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms
  • You are feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming your baby due to the crying
  • Your baby had a reaction to a colic remedy product

What You Can Do at Home

  • Keep track of when you notice colic remedy drops effectiveness — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
  • Remember that trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance — this is generally within the range of normal.
  • At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
  • Keep your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding. Note any patterns between feeds and symptoms.
  • While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms.

Gas Relief Drops (Simethicone) for Baby

Simethicone gas drops (brand names Mylicon, Little Remedies Gas Relief) are safe for babies and work by breaking up gas bubbles in the stomach, making them easier to pass. They are not absorbed into the body. While they are very safe, research shows mixed evidence on whether they significantly reduce gas symptoms compared to placebo. They are worth trying but do not work for all babies.

Gripe Water Safety Concerns

Gripe water is an over-the-counter supplement, not an FDA-regulated medication, and its safety and effectiveness are not well-established. Ingredients vary by brand and may include sodium bicarbonate, fennel, ginger, or other herbal ingredients. The AAP does not recommend gripe water because it is not regulated, may contain harmful ingredients, and has no proven benefit over placebo.

Probiotic Evidence for Babies

Evidence for probiotics in babies varies by condition. Lactobacillus reuteri has the strongest evidence for reducing colic in breastfed infants. Saccharomyces boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. For general "gut health," evidence is limited. Probiotics are generally safe for healthy term infants but should be discussed with your pediatrician before starting.

Gas Pain vs Colic in Baby

Gas pain causes intermittent crying and discomfort that resolves when gas is passed. Colic is defined as crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy baby. While trapped gas may contribute to some colic episodes, colic is a broader condition with multiple suspected causes including gut immaturity, overstimulation, and developing nervous system regulation.

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Frequently asked questions

Is colic remedy drops effectiveness normal?
Most over-the-counter colic drops and remedies have limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Simethicone has some safety data but mixed efficacy evidence. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have the strongest evidence for breastfed babies with colic. The most important thing to know is that colic resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment.
When should I call the doctor about colic remedy drops effectiveness?
Your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms You are feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming your baby due to the crying Your baby had a reaction to a colic remedy product
When is colic remedy drops effectiveness normal?
Trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance Colic resolving on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment
What causes colic remedy drops effectiveness?
Most over-the-counter colic drops and remedies have limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Simethicone has some safety data but mixed efficacy evidence. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have the strongest evidence for breastfed babies with colic. The most important thing to know is that colic resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment. Common explanations include: Trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance. Colic resolving on its own by 3 to 4 months regardless of treatment.
What should I mention to my pediatrician about colic remedy drops effectiveness?
You should mention colic remedy drops effectiveness at your next visit if: You want to discuss which colic remedies have the best evidence. Your baby has colic and you need support and guidance. Nothing seems to help your baby's crying and you are struggling.
Is colic remedy drops effectiveness normal at 0-3 months?
This is the peak age for colic. Evidence-based options include: Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics for breastfed infants, simethicone drops (safe but unproven), and comfort measures like swaddling, white noise, and motion. Avoid products containing alcohol, herbs with unknown safety profiles, or homeopathic remedies with no evidence base.
Is colic remedy drops effectiveness normal at 3-6 months?
Colic typically resolves by 3 to 4 months. If excessive crying persists beyond 4 months, it may not be colic and deserves evaluation for other causes like reflux, food allergy, or other medical conditions. Do not continue using colic drops beyond when they are needed.
Should I go to the ER for colic remedy drops effectiveness?
Seek emergency care if your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms, or if you are feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming your baby due to the crying. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.
Does colic remedy drops effectiveness go away on its own?
In many cases, colic remedy drops effectiveness resolves on its own, especially when trying safe, evidence-based approaches like probiotics or simethicone under your pediatrician's guidance. By 12-24 months, colic drops are not appropriate for toddlers. If your toddler has abdominal discomfort, the cause should be identified rather than treated with over-the-counter drops.
AAPNIHAAP

References

  1. [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Colic. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
  2. [2]National Library of Medicine. Probiotics for Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics. NIH
  3. [3]American Academy of Pediatrics. Managing Colic. Pediatrics in Review. AAP

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Colic Remedy Drops Effectiveness.

Things to mention

  • Describe when you first noticed colic remedy drops effectiveness and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if you want to discuss which colic remedies have the best evidence.
  • Mention if your baby has colic and you need support and guidance.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

Observations to share

  • You want to discuss which colic remedies have the best evidence
  • Your baby has colic and you need support and guidance
  • Nothing seems to help your baby's crying and you are struggling

Urgent signs to report immediately

  • Your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms
  • You are feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming your baby due to the crying
  • Your baby had a reaction to a colic remedy product

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members

Related Resources

Poop Color GuideMedicine Dosage CalculatorEmergency ContactsBaby Tracker

Bottom line

Most cases of colic remedy drops effectiveness are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby's crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, or other concerning symptoms.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

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Related Digestive Concerns

Gas Relief Drops (Simethicone) for Baby

Simethicone gas drops (brand names Mylicon, Little Remedies Gas Relief) are safe for babies and work by breaking up gas bubbles in the stomach, making them easier to pass. They are not absorbed into the body. While they are very safe, research shows mixed evidence on whether they significantly reduce gas symptoms compared to placebo. They are worth trying but do not work for all babies.

Gripe Water Safety Concerns

Gripe water is an over-the-counter supplement, not an FDA-regulated medication, and its safety and effectiveness are not well-established. Ingredients vary by brand and may include sodium bicarbonate, fennel, ginger, or other herbal ingredients. The AAP does not recommend gripe water because it is not regulated, may contain harmful ingredients, and has no proven benefit over placebo.

Probiotic Evidence for Babies

Evidence for probiotics in babies varies by condition. Lactobacillus reuteri has the strongest evidence for reducing colic in breastfed infants. Saccharomyces boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. For general "gut health," evidence is limited. Probiotics are generally safe for healthy term infants but should be discussed with your pediatrician before starting.

Gas Pain vs Colic in Baby

Gas pain causes intermittent crying and discomfort that resolves when gas is passed. Colic is defined as crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy baby. While trapped gas may contribute to some colic episodes, colic is a broader condition with multiple suspected causes including gut immaturity, overstimulation, and developing nervous system regulation.

My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen

A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and their proportionally larger organs. However, if the belly becomes suddenly swollen, feels hard and tight, or is accompanied by pain, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements, it needs medical evaluation as it could signal gas buildup, constipation, or rarely, something more serious.

My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)

A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an anal fissure, which is a tiny tear in the skin around the anus from passing hard stool. Anal fissures are very common in babies and toddlers and usually heal on their own with simple measures like keeping stools soft. While this is rarely serious, any blood in your baby's stool should be mentioned to your pediatrician.