There is no cure for colic. Crying and fussiness are likely to occur, no matter what efforts are made to soothe an infant with colic. The only treatment for colic is the passage of time. The condition clears on its own, usually in a matter of months.

Managing colic typically focuses on easing a child’s symptoms and making the child as comfortable as possible. There is no single effective remedy for this. Parents may need to carefully observe what seems to work for their baby. Techniques that work for some children will not work for others. Making a child with colic feel better is often a matter of trial and error.

No medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, are found to provide safe and effective relief for infants with colic. Sedatives, such as phenobarbital (Luminal), chloral hydrate (Aquachloral) and alcohol, should never be used and are not recommended. All medications (even antacids) have side effects, some of which may be dangerous for young children. Parents should always check with their child’s pediatrician before giving their infant any type of medication, including over-the-counter medications.

Techniques that may comfort an infant with colic include:

• Feeding the infant. Sometimes crying may indicate hunger, and a baby with colic may respond to feeding attempts. However, feedings should not be forced if the infant is not hungry. Plain water or an electrolyte solution may also be soothing to some infants.
  
  
• Helping pass gas or stool. Holding an infant in an upright position and gently massaging the belly may help release gas. Rocking a baby while they are lying face-down on the lap may also work, since rocking in addition to a gentle pressure against the abdomen may help release gas. Laying an infant belly-down in a crib, while gently massaging the back may also help. Sleeping infants should not be placed on their stomachs to avoid the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
  
  
• Swaddling the infant. Wrapping a baby in a soft blanket may help them feel warm and secure.
  
  
• Applying warmth to the belly. Application of warmth against a baby’s stomach may help relieve abdominal pain. Fill a hot water bottle with warm (not hot) water or use a heating pad. These may be placed on the infant’s abdomen, or the baby may be placed on them. A warm bath may also help.
  
  
• Trying rhythmic stimulation. Many types of rhythmic movement can have a calming effect on infants. A rocking chair, cradle or wind-up swing may be used. Parents should not place infants in a swing until the child is at least 3 weeks old and has good head control. Rhythmic stimulation may also involve holding an infant while walking, taking an infant for a walk using a stroller, or placing an infant in a car seat and going for a drive (many babies find the vibration of a moving car soothing).
  
  
• Providing soothing background sounds. Sound that is kept at a low, steady volume may help comfort a child with colic. This can include relaxing music or sounds (e.g., white noise, rainfall, ocean waves, beating heart). Singing lullabies to a child may also help. An infant may be placed in a carrier and safely positioned to listen to the steady, rhythmic sounds of certain household appliances while they are running (e.g., dryer, washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner). Never place a child on top of appliances to avoid falls and injury, and turn off the end-cycle buzzer on washers and dryers to avoid startling the baby. In addition, turn the telephone ringer off since it may be too jarring for a colicky child.
  
  
• Avoiding overstimulating environments. Colicky infants tend to be sensitive to loud noises, bright lights and increased movement in their environment. Parents may help soothe a child with colic by dimming the lights, keeping noise to a minimum, speaking in a gentle voice and limiting activity around the child.
  
  
• Maintaining a predictable daily routine. Keeping a child’s daily routine as calm and predictable as possible may help colicky babies who can be especially sensitive to change.
  
  
• Offering a pacifier. Infants often have an urge to suck as a method of calming themselves. Parents can help their child self-soothe by offering a pacifier.
  
  
• Opting for a change of scenery. Occasionally, being in a different environment can help reduce colic. Try taking a colicky baby outdoors (e.g., the park) or simply to another room in the house.
  
  
• Providing extra attention. Holding and cuddling may comfort an infant with colic. This is important even during times a baby is not fussy or crying. Placing an infant in a body carrier can allow parents more physical contact with their child throughout the day.    

In addition, parents may help relieve colic by altering how they feed their baby. Recommended feeding techniques include:

• Avoiding overfeeding or underfeeding. This may help alleviate abdominal discomfort. Infants may be fed every two hours, as long as the baby is hungry (colicky babies will have a normal appetite; feedings should not be forced). In general, infants with colic should be fed less food, more often.
  
  
• Feeding slowly. Feeding too quickly can lead to abdominal pain. Feedings are too fast if they take less than 20 minutes. To slow bottle feedings, try using a nipple with a smaller hole on the bottle.
  
  
• Keeping the infant upright. Feedings should be done with the infant in a vertical position to minimize the amount of air swallowed during feedings, which can cause gas and stomach upset. In addition, for the first six months, infants should be kept upright for 10 to 15 minutes after feedings to prevent milk from coming back up.
  
  
• Burping the baby frequently. This helps to prevent gas buildup that can cause abdominal pain. If bottle-feeding, a baby with colic should be burped every 2 to 3 ounces. During breastfeeding, burping can be done when switching breasts, or every five minutes. Always burp when feeding is completed. The need to burp should decrease as infants learn to feed without swallowing excess air.
  
  
• Changing the bottle type. A curved bottle with a collapsible bag can reduce the amount of air a baby swallows during feedings, helping to alleviate gas buildup.
  
  
• Finishing one breast before switching. The milk initially drawn from the breast (foremilk) is low in calories and fat. Milk drawn toward the end of a feeding from a single breast (hindmilk) is rich in fat and may be more soothing for infants.
  
  
• Changing the formula. A physician may recommend trying a different formula for colicky babies.

Breastfeeding mothers may wish to alter their diets to eliminate certain foods that may aggravate some colicky children. This may include dairy products as well as foods that contain soy, wheat and nuts. In addition, products that contain caffeine (including chocolate) may upset a nursing child. However, mothers need extra nutrients while breastfeeding and should consult their physician before making any changes to their diet.

Alternative remedies are not proven to relieve colic in infants, but may provide relief for some. These therapies include certain herbal teas, oils or remedies (e.g., chamomile, peppermint, fennel, gripe water), chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and massage therapy. Parents should be warned that these alternative treatments need more study. Parents should consult their pediatrician before giving their child any medications, including herbal remedies like gripe water, which is commonly marketed for colicky babies. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised against the use of star anise tea in infants because it contains small amounts of toxin that may cause seizures, jerky movements, vomiting and irritability.