Colic and gas: what actually works (and what's a myth)
Hours of evening crying and nothing helps. Breathe: this has a name, a curve, and an end.
Infant colic follows the rule of 3s: crying more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks — in a baby who feeds well and gains weight. It affects 1 in 4 babies, worsens at dusk ("the witching hour"), and peaks between weeks 6 and 8. It's not your fault and it doesn't mean something is wrong.
What DOES have evidence
The 5 S's: Swaddle, Side position in your arms, Shush loudly, Swing gently, Suck
Babywearing and motion: walking, the classic car ride, bouncing on a yoga ball
Burp MID-feed, not just after (upright 10-15 min post-feed)
Bicycle legs and clockwise tummy massage
Take turns: a 20-minute relay saves sanity. A crying baby in calm arms cries less.
Myths that cost money and hope: "anti-colic" drops (simethicone) don't beat placebo in studies; herbal teas are NOT recommended under 6 months; and switching formula is rarely the fix (check with your doctor first). What works best is free: motion, contact, and time.
Crying + fever, projectile vomiting, blood in stool, feed refusal, or poor weight gain is NOT colic — that's a same-day doctor visit. And if you're at your limit: put baby safely in the crib, step out for 5 minutes, and breathe. Never shake a baby.
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Peaks at 6-8 weeks, resolves on its own by 3-4 months. You're not causing it — you're helping through it.
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In mi·ma
Log crying in mi·ma and find YOUR baby's pattern: start time, duration, what soothed it. With data, the witching hour becomes predictable — and you arrive prepared.
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mi·ma is a support logbook for parents. This guide is informational and does not replace consultation with your pediatrician. For any concerns about your baby's health, consult a healthcare professional.
Sources
- · AAP — Colic Relief Tips 2024
- · The Happiest Baby on the Block (Karp)
- · Cochrane Review: Simethicone for infantile colic