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Long crying spells in a baby

Also called: Colic, excessive crying, fussy baby, inconsolable crying

Babies normally cry about 1 to 3 hours a day, often more in the evening. Long crying spells in a healthy baby who is feeding and growing well are often colic, which usually improves by 3 to 4 months. A baby who cries with fever, vomiting, poor feeding, or is unusually sleepy needs to be checked.

Normal cryingAbout 1 to 3 hours a day
ColicUsually peaks at 6 weeks, eases by 3 to 4 months
Get checked ifFever, vomiting, poor feeding, or crying that won't stop
If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Possible poisoning or something swallowed? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Overview

Crying is how babies tell you they're hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or need to be held. Many babies also have a fussy time each evening.

Colic is crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy. The cause isn't known. It's hard on parents, but it doesn't harm the baby and goes away on its own. Sometimes crying is a sign of illness, pain, or something as simple as a hair wrapped tightly around a finger or toe.

When to get medical care

Call 911A baby who is hard to wake, limp, has trouble breathing, has blue or gray skin, or has a seizure. If you feel you might shake or hurt your baby, put the baby safely in the crib and step away, then call for help.
Get care todayFever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months. Crying with vomiting (especially green), bloody stools, or a swollen belly. Fewer wet diapers or not feeding. A high-pitched cry or a bulging soft spot. Crying after a fall or injury. Crying that won't stop for more than 2 to 3 hours.
See a doctor soonCrying that is unexplained and doesn't go away in 1 day despite home care. Your baby isn't gaining weight. Colic that starts after 1 month or lasts past 4 months. You're feeling overwhelmed or very low.

Causes

Common causes include hunger, tiredness, needing to be held, a wet or dirty diaper, gas, feeling too cold or hot, overstimulation, and colic. Other causes include illness or infection, teething, reflux, cow's milk protein allergy, a hair wrapped around a finger, toe, or penis, injury, and medicines.

OwieClear has pages on 3 conditions that can cause long crying spells in a baby. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

  • ColicSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    Long spells of crying, usually in the evening, in a healthy baby.

  • Newborn withdrawal (neonatal abstinence syndrome)Often needs care today

    Withdrawal in a newborn after exposure to opioids or some other medicines or drugs in pregnancy, including prescribed treatment like methadone or buprenorphine.

Less likely causes

  • Choroid plexus tumorsOften needs care today

    Rare brain tumors of the tissue that makes spinal fluid, most often in babies and young children.

What you can do at home

  • Check the basics: hunger, diaper, temperature, and burping.
  • Look your baby over for a hair wrapped around a finger, toe, or genitals, and for injuries.
  • Try calming: swaddling, rocking, holding skin to skin, shushing or white noise, or a car or stroller ride.
  • Take your baby's temperature.
  • Take a break. It's OK to put your baby in a safe crib and step away for a few minutes.
  • Never shake a baby. Ask family or friends for help.

Medicines

There's no medicine that reliably treats colic. Don't give medicines or herbal remedies without asking your baby's provider. Fever in babies under 3 months needs a provider visit before giving any medicine.

At the doctor

The provider will check your baby's growth and look for a cause of the crying.

Questions you may be asked

  • How long and how often your baby cries
  • Feeding, spit-up, and stools
  • Fever or other symptoms
  • Wet diapers
  • How you're coping

The exam

A full head-to-toe exam, including weight and growth.

Tests

  • Usually no tests if the baby is healthy and growing
  • Urine or blood tests if infection is possible

Prevention

You can't prevent colic, but you can make crying spells easier.

  • Keep a calm routine
  • Feed on cue and burp often
  • Get support from others so you can rest

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.