Before having their baby, most parents spend nine months dreaming of what it will be like to hold their sweet angel, cuddle them close, and peacefully rock them to sleep. They imagine the smiles and coos, the joy of showing them off, and the memories they’ll create together. What most don’t picture is facing a very common challenge: colic.
Call it what you will—colic, fussiness, gas—a constantly crying baby can feel overwhelming and exhausting. The good news? It doesn’t last forever. Babies do grow, and this tough season eventually passes.
But in the meantime, how is a tired parent supposed to cope?
I asked some of my friends to share their favorite methods for surviving those fussy days, and here’s what worked for them. (Disclaimer: I am not promoting one technique over another, nor have I tried them all. Instead, I am sharing the feedback I’ve received. Please do your research before trying anything.)
Tips for Coping With Colic
Every baby is different, but these tips from parents who’ve been there may help you soothe your little one and find some relief for yourself, too.
1. Try Dr. Harvey Karp’s Soothing Method
If you have not heard of this method, it is my favorite thing for any new parent to know for soothing babies as a mom of three. In this method, Dr. Harvey Karp teaches parents how to use the Five S’s (swaddle, shush, side/stomach position, swing, and sucking) to initiate the calming reflex. I have both his book and his video and love them!
2. Adjust Baby’s Diet If Needed
The food an infant eats is probably the most significant thing that can affect their mood and crying. If a baby seems fussy after meals, it is a great idea to try and alter their diet. For breastfeeding moms, try to eliminate foods that could irritate baby. For formula-fed babies, many parents recommended Nutramigen Formula.
3. Use Gas Drops
Ahh, gas drops. Many parents credit them as the most important thing to keep in the diaper bag next to milk! Some of the brands recommended by my friends were Colic Calm Drops and Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water.
4. Talk to Your Doctor About Reflux Meds
Many parents who have had a colicky baby feel their baby had bad reflux that went undiagnosed. Several parents who started reflux meds think these made the greatest difference in their child’s temperament. Of course, these must be prescribed by your pediatrician, but it might be worth calling your doctor if you feel this could be the problem.
5. Soothe With White Noise
Babies love white noise. Strangely, they seem to like it louder than we might think because they are used to being near a beating heart. Whether using an actual hairdryer, buying a white noise CD, using a white noise machine, or just getting an app on your phone, noise can be your friend in soothing a fussy baby.
6. Consider a Chiropractor
Many parents who are open to natural medicine state that chiropractors have completely stopped their child’s all-day, severe colicky crying. Some chiropractors specialize in working with infants and feel they can cure colic.
7. Ask About Infant Probiotics
You need to check with your pediatrician to see if they approve of them, but many parents believe probiotic drops are effective for helping soothe a baby’s tummy and fussiness. I loved Gerber’s Comforting Drops for my third son and felt that his tummy troubles disappeared after using them.
8. Change Baby’s Position
Not every baby likes the same position. Some like to have their legs moved like a bicycle, others like to be held high over their parents’ shoulders, and some want to lie alone. Experiment with different ways to make your baby more comfortable. What works for one baby may differ from what works for the next.
9. Try Helpful Baby Gear
For many babies, lying them down tends to aggravate their bellies. Therefore, a swing can serve as a lifesaver due to the way the baby is held or cradled. I also loved wearing my babies in a MOBY wrap or Boba carrier!
10. Apply Gentle Warmth to Baby’s Tummy
Several parents have shared that applying warmth to their baby’s belly seemed to help alleviate gas pains. One product that was a favorite is the Happi Tummi Waist Band.
11. Bounce With an Exercise Ball
For the baby who loves movement and bouncing, this is one of the best ways to keep them moving but spare your legs. Get a large, oversized exercise ball and sit on the ball to bounce the baby instead of using your energy. It is easy and effective!
12. Give a Warm Bath
Many parents believe warm baths are a great way to soothe a fussy baby. Of course, some hate the bath too. But you will never know until you try!
13. Sing to Your Baby
Your baby has heard your voice the whole time in the womb, so it only makes sense that they enjoy hearing it now that they are out in the world. Try singing them a lullaby or nursery rhyme. There is a reason lullabies and nursery rhymes were invented. Some babies love them!
14. Try a Change of Scenery
Sometimes a change of temperature or light can help a baby stop crying. Try stepping outside when you have been holding a crying infant inside and feel you are at your wits’ end. Many times, the change of scenery or temperature can help distract them from their crying.
15. Go for a Car Ride
Car rides may be your saving grace when you have tried everything else and nothing is working. I have found that driving on a highway is more effective than being on side streets. And sometimes, to stop the crying, you can roll down the window nearest the baby about an inch. The loud sound kind of stuns them and can serve as a sound machine to get them to stop crying.
16. Sometimes Nothing Works—And That’s Okay
And for some fussy babies, there is no magic cure for colic. It just takes trying everything together with nothing working that well. And while it may make you feel alone, you are not. It is just a phase, and it will get better! But until it does, reach out to other parents who have gone through the same thing. You will feel better knowing you are not alone. Because you are not, I promise!
Colic can feel endless, but it truly is just a season. Be gentle with yourself, lean on support when you need it, and remember—you’re not alone. With time, patience, and love, both you and your baby will get through this stage.
