Crying babies often get labeled as having colic or being colicky. So what exactly is colic? It is usually described as a daily period of crying for one to three hours in the early evening, although it may occur at other times or even throughout the day, in an otherwise healthy baby. After starting at about two to three weeks of age, it usually reaches its peak at six weeks and then gradually improves over the next month or two.

Colic is very common, but nobody really knows what causes it. The many theories about it include the possibility that these babies have immature nervous systems or immature gastrointestinal systems. Other people believe that babies with colic have food sensitivities, are simply overstimulated and are crying to let off steam, or have anxious parents.

While the cause isn't known, it is well accepted that colicky babies usually outgrow their crying by about three months of age. Because there are other medical causes of crying, you shouldn't just dismiss your baby's crying as colic. If you do, a serious medical problem might be overlooked. At the same time, you also don't want to put your baby through a lot of unnecessary tests or treatments. By the time you get through three or four formula changes, two or three medicines for reflux, and an upper GI, your colicky baby's crying will probably already have peaked and she will be getting better on her own. Whether or not your baby's crying has a medical cause that needs to be treated, try different ways to soothe your baby and ease her crying.