What is colic? What causes colic? No one, doctor or otherwise, is certain. Some experts feel it's a gastrointestinal disturbance in which a baby becomes particularly gassy. The name even hints at an intestinal connection — the word “colic” derives from the Greek “kolikos,” the adjective form of “kolon,” the large intestine. Others believe colic is simply a way for babies to blow off steam.

Depending on the baby, colic may peak at six weeks to three months. Most experts agree that colic disappears from the age of three months to one year, whether or not you take steps to quell it. Most everyone agrees that colicky babies cry severely, draw up their knees against their stomachs, and struggle when held. The crying spells tend to begin in the late afternoon or early evening, and the crying is intense and difficult to calm.