How long does infant colic last?

Written by Huang Kun Mei

Pediatrics

Updated on April 24, 2025

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Intestinal colic is a very common disease and symptom in children, generally affecting 10%-20% of them. It usually occurs two to four weeks after birth, peaks between four to six weeks, and generally improves by four to six months.

Once intestinal colic occurs, children will repeatedly cry, so prevention is essential. After each feeding, make sure to burp the child for ten minutes and massage the abdomen clockwise between feedings to prevent gas buildup and alleviate the symptoms of intestinal colic.

If a child does suffer from intestinal colic, it is crucial to apply a warm compress to their stomach and massage the abdomen clockwise to relieve the condition.

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Written by Tong Peng

Pediatrics

1min 7sec

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Can infantile colic cause vomiting milk?

Intestinal colic can cause vomiting. There are many reasons for intestinal colic, mainly due to the incorrect nursing posture of the mother and the baby swallowing a large amount of air when crying, leading to intestinal bloating, which then causes intestinal irritation. Additionally, it could be due to the high protein and sugar content in breast milk or formula, which increases the load on the baby's digestive system, leading to intestinal bloating and stimulating bleeding from intestinal colic. Any painful stimulus can lead to intestinal colic in babies. During pain, some of the body's emergency responses, such as gastrointestinal spasms and stomach contractions, can lead to vomiting. Therefore, it is crucial to control the diet for babies experiencing abdominal pain, especially those diagnosed with intestinal colic. It is important to monitor whether the baby has symptoms like abdominal bloating or abnormal stools. In daily life, adopting a diet of frequent small meals can help reduce acute intestinal occurrences and minimize irritation to the intestinal walls.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong

Pediatrics

51sec

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Is the baby's rumbling stomach intestinal colic?

A child's stomach making gurgling noises doesn't necessarily mean they have intestinal colic; it could be due to indigestion. The main symptom of intestinal colic is severe abdominal pain, which usually isn't accompanied by gurgling sounds. If a child does have intestinal colic, they may exhibit symptoms such as incessant crying and abdominal spasms, whereas gurgling sounds are typically caused by the incomplete development of the digestive tract in children, leading to gas formation as food moves through the intestines. If the child does not display symptoms like abdominal distension, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, treatment may not be necessary. However, if such symptoms are present, it could be due to conditions like enteritis or dysentery, and it is advisable for parents to take their child to a reputable hospital for an examination.

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Written by Tong Peng

Pediatrics

1min 1sec

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Can infantile colic cause constipation?

Infantile colic can cause constipation. It is first important to understand that colic is caused by abnormal intestinal movements and stimulation of the intestinal mucosa, leading to pain symptoms. This is often due to increased intestinal gas or constipation, which disrupt normal intestinal movements and thus also cause symptoms of constipation. In such cases, one can first try abdominal massage to promote intestinal movements and help the expulsion of gas and stool, thereby alleviating symptoms. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can regulate gastrointestinal function and aid in digestion and absorption. Attention should also be paid to dietary adjustments, preferably eating light and easily digestible food to reduce the production of intestinal gas and alleviate its symptoms. If symptoms persist for a long time without significant relief, it is still necessary to have a specialist doctor examine and prescribe medication accordingly.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

55sec

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How to relieve the symptoms of intestinal colic in infants

When infants experience colic, it is generally due to excessive gas accumulation in the intestines, as infants cannot expel gas on their own. Therefore, when colic occurs, you can let the child be in a prone position to facilitate gas expulsion. Parents can also assist the child in doing exercises like lying on their back, sitting up, or performing "bicycle kicks" in the air to promote intestinal peristalsis. Additionally, clockwise abdominal massages and appropriate application of heat can help in expelling gas. When there is a change in bowel habits, you can also advise the child to take probiotics to regulate intestinal flora, which aids in gas expulsion and bowel movement. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician, according to the actual situation.)

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Written by Huang Kun Mei

Pediatrics

50sec

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Infantile colic generally occurs at what time?

Infantile colic generally occurs in children within the first few days to three months after birth and is more commonly observed at night. When a child experiences colic, you can apply a warm compress to their abdomen, focusing around the navel, and massage clockwise for ten minutes at a time, three times a day. Additionally, you can also try massaging the child or using the "airplane hold". If the child cries intensely and the abdominal massage is not effective, it is crucial to bring the child to the hospital promptly for an abdominal X-ray. For prevention, ensure to burp the child ten minutes after feeding and regularly massage the abdomen between feeds.