Crying, Colic and an Inconsolable Baby: When to Seek Care

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 5, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 5, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Crying is a normal way for babies to communicate hunger, fatigue, discomfort, and overstimulation. Colic describes repeated, intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby. A new, unusual, or inconsolable cry can also be a sign of pain or illness, especially in a young infant.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

Never shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk a baby. If crying is overwhelming, place the baby safely on their back in an empty crib or bassinet with a firm sleep surface, step away briefly to calm down, and get help from another safe adult.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips or face, a baby who is limp or unresponsive, or you believe your child is in immediate danger

  • A seizure, a serious injury, major bleeding, or possible choking with inability to breathe, cry, or cough effectively

  • You think someone may hurt or shake the baby, or the baby is not safe. Put the baby in a safe place, move away from danger, and call 911 or seek immediate emergency help

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • A baby younger than 3 months (12 weeks) has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or higher, even if the baby otherwise looks well

  • Your baby is difficult to wake, is not alert when awake, has a bulging soft spot, looks very ill, or has an unusual weak, high-pitched, or pain-like cry

  • Repeated vomiting, green vomit, blood in vomit or stool, a swollen or hard belly, a swollen scrotum or groin, or severe crying with drawing up of the legs

  • Crying follows a fall, possible injury, or there is swelling, bruising, redness, a hair or thread tightly wrapped around a finger, toe, or genitals, or another obvious source of pain

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • A baby younger than 1 month looks or acts abnormal in any way, even without fever

  • Crying is nonstop for more than 2 hours and your baby cannot be comforted, or crying is new and clearly different from the usual pattern

  • Your baby drinks much less than usual, has fewer wet diapers, refuses repeated feeds, or has poor weight gain

  • Crying happens with feeding, frequent forceful spit-up or vomiting, back arching, a new rash, ear pulling, constipation, diarrhea, or another symptom that might indicate pain or illness

  • ·You are exhausted, feel angry or out of control, need another caregiver to take over, or are worried you cannot keep the baby safe. Asking for help is the right action

What Colic Usually Means

Colic is excessive crying in a baby who is growing and otherwise well between episodes. It typically begins in early infancy, often peaks around 4 to 6 weeks, and usually improves by 3 to 4 months. A clinician should evaluate ongoing or excessive crying before it is assumed to be colic.

  • A baby may cry intensely, often later in the day, but look comfortable, feed, grow, and act normally between episodes

  • Crying alone does not prove that a baby has gas, reflux, milk allergy, or another specific cause. Avoid repeatedly changing formula, diet, or medicines without guidance

  • Gas drops and gripe water have not been shown to reliably treat colic. Check with your child's healthcare professional before using any remedy, supplement, or herbal product

A Simple Check Before Soothing

  • Hunger or a missed feeding; early hunger cues can include rooting, lip-smacking, or hands moving toward the mouth

  • A wet or soiled diaper, tight clothing, feeling too hot or cold, or a need to burp after feeding

  • Tiredness or overstimulation. Babies may need a quiet, dim, predictable environment before sleep

  • Visible discomfort: diaper rash, a scratch, a swollen area, a hair or thread wrapped tightly around a toe or finger, or an unusual rash

Calming Measures That Are Reasonable to Try

These measures are for a baby with no warning signs who is feeding and breathing normally and has been checked by a healthcare professional when crying is excessive.

  • Hold, cuddle, gently rock, walk with, sing or hum to the baby. Some babies settle with a calm, repetitive sound or gentle movement

  • Offer a feeding if hunger cues are present; otherwise, avoid trying to feed every time a baby cries. A slower bottle nipple and pauses during bottle feeding may help some babies coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing

  • Use a pacifier if your baby already uses one and it is appropriate for your family. Do not force it

  • For sleep, always place the baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface with no pillows, loose blankets, toys, or other soft items

  • If you need a break, put the baby safely in the crib or bassinet and check back after you have calmed. Call a trusted adult for support

A Plan for Caregivers

  • Share the baby's calming routine, feeding plan, safe-sleep rules, and emergency contact information with every caregiver

  • Tell every caregiver: crying can be stressful, but shaking or rough handling can cause severe brain injury or death. Put the baby down safely and ask for help instead

  • If sadness, anxiety, anger, or exhaustion is making it hard to cope, tell a healthcare professional or trusted person promptly. Parent and caregiver support is part of keeping a baby safe

Call Preparation

  • Baby's age, when the crying began, how long episodes last, what the cry sounds like, and what soothes or worsens it

  • Temperature and method used, recent illness exposure, breathing changes, vomiting, stools, rashes, visible injuries, and wet diapers

  • Feeding type, amounts, frequency, spit-up or vomiting, and any change in appetite or weight gain

  • Any medicine, supplement, formula, diet change, or new product already tried, plus your own ability to rest and cope safely

Related Guides

  • Newborn General Advice: The First Month

  • Fever and Illness: When to Seek Care

  • Vomiting, Diarrhea and Dehydration: When to Seek Care

  • Abdominal Pain: When to Seek Care

  • Child Safety Checklist: Infants and Young Children

Sources and Medical Review

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Responding to Your Baby's Cries: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), How to Calm a Fussy Baby: Tips for Parents & Caregivers: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Crying Baby - Before 3 Months Old Symptom Checker: Read source

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Abusive Head Trauma: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), How to Cope With Challenges of Being a New Parent: Read source