How to Soothe a Colicky Baby at Night

Updated 2026-10-29

If your baby cries for hours most evenings and nothing seems to work, you are not doing anything wrong, and you are not alone. Colic affects about 1 in 4 babies and usually gets better by 3 to 4 months.

What is colic?

A healthy baby who cries more than 3 hours a day, on 3 or more days a week, for 3 weeks in a row. It often starts at 2 to 3 weeks of age, peaks in the evening and does not stop with the usual comforting.

Calming ideas to try

Burp often during feeds and try a gentle tummy massage.
Don’t feed every time baby cries; overfeeding can add discomfort.
Hold and rock. A rocking chair, walking with baby in a front carrier, or a stroller ride can help.
Offer a pacifier.
Play a constant, calming sound like white noise, a heartbeat or brown noise, at a low volume.
Keep smoke away from your baby.

Holding baby tummy-down on your arm or lap can comfort them, but once they fall asleep, always lay them on their back in their crib.

Call your pediatrician if your baby has

a fever
vomiting or a lot of spitting up
diarrhea, hard stools or blood in the stool
poor feeding or poor weight gain

Trust your instincts: if something feels wrong, call.

Take care of you, too

Long crying spells are exhausting. If you feel overwhelmed, it is okay to lay your baby safely on their back in the crib and step away for a few minutes to breathe. Ask a partner, family member or friend to take a turn.

Questions

How do I know if it is colic?

Doctors often describe colic as a healthy baby crying more than 3 hours a day, on 3 or more days a week, for 3 weeks in a row. It usually starts at 2 to 3 weeks of age and eases by about 3 to 4 months. Your pediatrician can confirm it and rule out other causes.

Does white noise help colic?

It does not treat colic, but constant calming sounds such as white noise or a heartbeat are among the comfort ideas pediatric hospitals suggest for fussy babies.

Sources: Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “Colic”; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This guide is general information, not medical advice.