Last updated on 17 January 2026 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team
Colic is one of the most common concerns in the early months of a baby’s life. It affects around 1 in 5 infants and places pressure on families already adjusting to life with a newborn. At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, our Naturopaths help parents find practical, natural ways to manage infant colic and reduce the impact it has on both baby and household.
What Is Colic?
Colic refers to repeated and prolonged episodes of crying, fussing or irritability in an otherwise healthy infant (1). These episodes often start at 2–3 weeks of age, peak around 6 weeks, and usually resolve by 12–16 weeks (1).
Common symptoms of colic include:
Intense, inconsolable crying
Fussiness, especially in the evenings
Crying that starts and stops without clear cause
A red face during crying episodes
Pulling legs up toward the tummy
A tight, tense abdomen
Despite how distressing it can be, colic usually resolves without long-term health issues.
What Causes Infant Colic?
The exact cause of baby colic remains unclear, but multiple factors may be involved. These include:
Immature digestion and gut sensitivity
Food sensitivities (including cow’s milk protein allergy)
Imbalanced gut microflora (gut bacteria)
Maternal diet affecting breastmilk
Nervous system overstimulation
Environmental stressors
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA)
In some babies, colicky symptoms may be due to an allergic reaction to cow’s milk protein. This is more common in formula-fed babies, but can also affect breastfed babies through the mother’s diet.
A maternal elimination diet (removing cow’s milk protein) or switching to hydrolysed formula has shown to reduce symptoms in diagnosed cases (Source).
Gut Microflora Imbalance
Studies suggest that infants with colic may have lower bacterial diversity in their gut. An increase in Gram-negative bacteria has also been observed in some colicky babies (4). It therefore makes sense that the role of probiotics has been the focus of much research.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Although colic is common and typically harmless, it’s important to rule out other medical conditions.
A small percentage of infants may need a medical assessment to check if symptoms represent a serious underlying condition. (5) You should seek medical advice from your GP or Paediatrician if your baby has any of the following:
Fever or lethargy
Poor feeding or low weight gain
Distended abdomen
Repeated vomiting
Very high-pitched or unusual crying
Getting Bub assessed also means the chance to troubleshoot some solutions during an appointment. Switching to a hydrolysed formula is an option for formula-fed infants (3), while your healthcare provider can also discuss diet and lifestyle changes for parents.
Colic may become a confirmed diagnosis when there is no evidence of fever, lethargy, excessive vomiting, distended abdomen and poor feeding or weight loss. (6)
How Long Does Colic in Babies Last?
In most babies, colic begins around the 2-week mark, peaks at 6 weeks, and improves significantly by 12–16 weeks of age (1).
For a small number of babies, symptoms may persist longer, especially if the underlying cause hasn’t been identified.
Dietary Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers
Your diet may influence your breastfed baby’s symptoms. Foods such as dairy, soy, caffeine, onion and cruciferous vegetables are sometimes associated with colic. However, elimination diets should only be done under professional guidance, as they can lead to unnecessary dietary restriction.
A low-allergen diet for mothers has been shown to improve colic symptoms in some breastfed infants (6). But remember that changes to diet and nutrition should always be discussed on an individual basis, and a restrictive diet is not necessarily beneficial.
Soothing Techniques for Colic at Home
While natural treatments and probiotics can help address the root cause of colic, soothing strategies can provide immediate comfort. These include:
Swaddling
Carrying baby in a wrap or sling
Gentle rocking or swinging
Using white noise or soft music
Offering a warm bath
Infant massage
Allowing baby to suck (dummy or comfort feeding)
These techniques don’t cure colic, but they can reduce crying intensity and help babies settle more easily.
Natural Remedies for Infant Colic
The most researched natural therapy for colic is probiotics. These help support healthy gut flora and may reduce inflammation and gas production.
Probiotics
The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 has been shown to reduce crying time in breastfed babies with infant colic. Studies suggest it may improve gut motility, reduce inflammation and restore healthy bacterial balance, and have a positive effect in reducing daily crying time in breastfed babies with infantile colic. (4).
Probiotics appear to be the best-researched supplement, providing a healthier intestinal microbiota landscape. The approach can differ somewhat for breastfed vs bottle-fed bubs.
Prebiotics
For formula-fed babies, one study found that prebiotics (as opposed to probiotics) added to infant formula decreases the incidence of colic.
Naturopathic Support
Every baby is different. Our Naturopaths assess your baby’s symptoms, feeding method, maternal diet (if applicable), and any potential gut flora imbalances. We may recommend:
Practitioner-prescribed probiotics
Maternal nutrition support and changes to Mum’s diet
Advice on formula selection or feeding changes
Stress support for the parents
We never recommend over-the-counter herbal products or supplements for infants without a formal assessment.
Other Strategies
Other strategies to combat the stress that parents may experience are important since infant colic has been linked to maternal postpartum depression. (1)
Since one proposed cause of colic that may affect some infants is maternal smoking or nicotine replacement therapy, (3) getting help with nicotine and smoking cessation should be a priority.
Common Myths About Colic
Crying means my baby is in pain – Not always. Colic is often related to overstimulation or immature digestion, not severe pain.
Colic is caused by bad parenting – Absolutely false. Colic affects babies regardless of parenting style.
Changing formula will fix it instantly – Not all cases of colic are linked to formula. Changes should only be made with clinical guidance.
There’s nothing you can do – Support is available. With the right assessment and guidance, symptoms often improve faster and with less distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is colic in babies and how do I know if my baby has it?
Colic is repeated, intense crying in otherwise healthy infants. It typically begins around two to three weeks of age, peaks at six weeks, and resolves by 12 to 16 weeks. If your baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, without an identifiable cause, they may have colic.
2. What causes infant colic?
Infant colic can be caused by a combination of factors, including immature digestion, food sensitivities, imbalanced gut flora, overstimulation, or a reaction to cow’s milk protein. A breastfeeding mother’s diet may also influence symptoms in sensitive infants.
3. How long does colic last in babies?
Most babies outgrow colic by 12 to 16 weeks of age. The symptoms usually begin at around two to three weeks, become more intense by six weeks, and then gradually settle down.
4. When should I worry about colic or seek medical help?
It’s important to consult a health professional if your baby has a fever, persistent vomiting, poor feeding, poor weight gain, a swollen abdomen, or very high-pitched crying. These may indicate something more serious than colic.
5. What natural remedies help with colic in babies?
Natural remedies that may help reduce colic include probiotics, especially Lactobacillus reuteri, gentle soothing techniques such as rocking or swaddling, and adjusting the mother’s diet when breastfeeding.
6. Can breastfeeding cause colic?
Breastfeeding itself doesn’t cause colic, but certain components in the mother’s diet—like dairy, caffeine, or certain vegetables—may trigger symptoms in some babies.
7. What role do probiotics play in treating colic?
Probiotics may improve gut flora balance and reduce inflammation, helping to ease digestive discomfort. Lactobacillus reuteri is the most researched strain for breastfed infants with colic.
8. Are there differences in managing colic for breastfed vs formula-fed babies?
Breastfed babies may benefit more from specific probiotic strains, while formula-fed babies may respond better to prebiotic-enriched or hydrolysed formulas. The approach should be tailored to the feeding method and the baby’s response.
9. Should I change my baby’s formula to help with colic?
Switching to a hydrolysed formula can help in cases where cow’s milk protein allergy is suspected. Any formula change should be done under professional guidance to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
10. Can a Naturopath help with colic?
A Naturopath can support families by providing a tailored plan that includes probiotics, dietary advice for breastfeeding mothers, formula guidance, and stress support for parents. This approach often leads to improved symptoms and greater confidence in managing colic.
