Baby Colic and Excessive Crying
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Behavioral development varies greatly from child to child. If you have noticed baby colic and excessive crying, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Colic is defined by the Wessel criteria or "rule of 3s" - crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant. It affects about 1 in 5 babies, typically begins around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks at 6-8 weeks, and almost always resolves by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you are doing wrong.
Key takeaways
- Colic is defined by the Wessel criteria or "rule of 3s" - crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant. It affects about 1 in 5 babies, typically begins around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks at 6-8 weeks, and almost always resolves by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you are doing wrong.
- Usually normal when: Your baby cries for extended periods but is otherwise healthy, feeding well, gaining weight, and having normal wet and dirty diapers
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has a fever (100.4F/38C or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, colic is defined by the Wessel criteria or "rule of 3s" - crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant. It affects about 1 in 5 babies, typically begins around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks at 6-8 weeks, and almost always resolves by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you are doing wrong. At 0-2 weeks, newborns generally cry 1-2 hours per day, which is normal. Colic has not typically set in yet at this stage. If your newborn seems to cry excessively in the first two weeks, it is important to rule out hunger, pain, illness, or feeding difficulties. Contact your pediatrician if your newborn seems inconsolable, especially if they have a fever, are not feeding, or seem unwell. It is generally considered normal when your baby cries for extended periods but is otherwise healthy, feeding well, gaining weight, and having normal wet and dirty diapers. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has a fever (100.4F/38C or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 weeks
Newborns generally cry 1-2 hours per day, which is normal. Colic has not typically set in yet at this stage. If your newborn seems to cry excessively in the first two weeks, it is important to rule out hunger, pain, illness, or feeding difficulties. Contact your pediatrician if your newborn seems inconsolable, especially if they have a fever, are not feeding, or seem unwell.
2-6 weeks
This is when colic typically begins. Crying often follows a pattern - it tends to worsen in the late afternoon and evening (sometimes called the "witching hour"), is intense and high-pitched, and your baby may clench their fists, pull up their legs, or become red in the face. The baby is healthy, feeding well, and gaining weight normally between crying episodes. This is the hallmark of colic.
6-12 weeks
Peak colic territory. Crying may reach 3 or more hours per day. This period is genuinely one of the hardest things parents go through, and it is okay to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even angry. If you feel you are reaching your limit, it is always safe to put your baby down in a safe place (like their crib) and step away for a few minutes to collect yourself. This is not failure - it is smart parenting.
3-5 months
The vast majority of colic resolves by 3-4 months of age, and almost all cases resolve by 5 months. You may notice that the evening crying episodes gradually become shorter and less intense. If excessive, inconsolable crying persists beyond 4-5 months, or if your baby seems to be in pain during crying, talk to your pediatrician to explore other possible causes such as reflux, food intolerance, or other medical conditions.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby colic and excessive crying and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if you are struggling to cope with the crying and need support or reassurance - your well-being matters too, and your pediatrician wants to help.
- Mention if crying is accompanied by frequent spitting up, arching the back, or refusing to feed, which could suggest gastroesophageal reflux.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby cries for extended periods but is otherwise healthy, feeding well, gaining weight, and having normal wet and dirty diapers
- Crying follows a predictable pattern, often peaking in the late afternoon or evening
- Your baby is between 2 weeks and 4 months old and the crying fits the "rule of 3s" pattern
- Your baby can be briefly soothed by motion, white noise, swaddling, or a pacifier, even if the crying returns
- Between crying episodes, your baby is calm, alert, and behaving normally
- You are struggling to cope with the crying and need support or reassurance - your well-being matters too, and your pediatrician wants to help
- Crying is accompanied by frequent spitting up, arching the back, or refusing to feed, which could suggest gastroesophageal reflux
- Your baby has signs of a possible food sensitivity such as blood or mucus in stools, especially if breastfed
- Colic-like crying continues beyond 4-5 months without improvement
- Your baby has a fever (100.4F/38C or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation
- Your baby is vomiting forcefully (not just spitting up), has a distended or hard belly, or has blood in their stool
- You feel you might harm your baby or yourself - call your pediatrician, a crisis line (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Putting your baby in a safe place and walking away is always okay.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby colic and excessive crying — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby cries for extended periods but is otherwise healthy, feeding well, gaining weight, and having normal wet and dirty diapers — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-2 weeks, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Respond consistently and calmly to your baby's behavior. Maintain predictable daily routines.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby has a fever (100.4F/38C or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Excessive Crying Triage
Determine whether crying patterns need medical attention.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby colic and excessive crying normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby colic and excessive crying?
When is baby colic and excessive crying normal?
What causes baby colic and excessive crying?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby colic and excessive crying?
Is baby colic and excessive crying normal at 0-2 weeks?
Is baby colic and excessive crying normal at 2-6 weeks?
Should I go to the ER for baby colic and excessive crying?
Does baby colic and excessive crying go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Colic. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [2]Wessel MA, Cobb JC, Jackson EB, et al. Paroxysmal fussing in infancy, sometimes called colic. Pediatrics. 1954;14(5):421-435. AAP
- [3]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concerned About Your Child's Development? Learn the Signs. Act Early. CDC
- [4]National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Colic in Infants. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Colic and Excessive Crying.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby colic and excessive crying and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if you are struggling to cope with the crying and need support or reassurance - your well-being matters too, and your pediatrician wants to help.
- Mention if crying is accompanied by frequent spitting up, arching the back, or refusing to feed, which could suggest gastroesophageal reflux.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- You are struggling to cope with the crying and need support or reassurance - your well-being matters too, and your pediatrician wants to help
- Crying is accompanied by frequent spitting up, arching the back, or refusing to feed, which could suggest gastroesophageal reflux
- Your baby has signs of a possible food sensitivity such as blood or mucus in stools, especially if breastfed
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has a fever (100.4F/38C or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation
- Your baby is vomiting forcefully (not just spitting up), has a distended or hard belly, or has blood in their stool
- You feel you might harm your baby or yourself - call your pediatrician, a crisis line (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Putting your baby in a safe place and walking away is always okay.
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
Bottom line
Most cases of baby colic and excessive crying are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has a fever (100.4f/38c or higher rectally) in addition to crying, especially if under 3 months - this always needs same-day evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Behavior Concerns
Bonding and Attachment Timeline for Adopted Babies
Bonding with an adopted baby is a real and achievable process, but it may follow a different timeline than biological bonding. Many adoptive parents feel a strong connection quickly, while for others it develops gradually over weeks or months. Consistent, responsive caregiving is the single most important factor in building secure attachment, regardless of how your family was formed.
Aggressive Play vs Normal Play
Rough-and-tumble play — wrestling, chasing, play-fighting, and superhero battles — is a normal and important part of child development, particularly for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps children develop physical coordination, social skills, self-regulation, and an understanding of boundaries. The key distinction between normal rough play and concerning aggression is whether both children are having fun, there is turn-taking in roles, and no one is intentionally trying to hurt the other.
My Toddler Is Aggressive Toward Pets
Toddlers being rough with pets is extremely common and almost never reflects true aggression or cruelty. Young children lack the motor control to be consistently gentle and do not yet understand that animals feel pain the way they do. With patient, consistent teaching about gentle touch and close supervision, most toddlers learn to interact safely with pets by age 3-4.
AI Deepfakes and Your Baby's Photos - Protecting Your Child Online
AI technology has created a new risk for children's photos shared online. NCMEC received over 1.5 million tips related to AI-generated child exploitation material in 2025 - a 2,000% increase from the previous year. Parents' innocent photos of children are being scraped from social media to train AI models or manipulated into harmful content. This does not mean you can never share photos of your child, but it does mean taking precautions: limiting audience, avoiding full-face images in public posts, stripping metadata, and understanding that once a photo is online, you lose control of it.
Raising a Screen-Free Baby: Movement and Analog Play
The AAP recommends no screen time for children under 18 months (except video calls) and limited, high-quality programming for ages 18-24 months with a caregiver. Movement-based and analog play supports healthy brain development, motor skills, and social-emotional growth. Active, hands-on play helps babies build neural connections more effectively than passive screen viewing.
My Baby Doesn't Seem Attached to Anyone
By 7-9 months, most babies show clear preferences for their primary caregivers and some wariness of unfamiliar people. If your baby seems equally comfortable with everyone and shows no distress when separated from caregivers, it may simply reflect an easy-going temperament. However, if combined with other social differences, it can occasionally warrant further discussion with your pediatrician.