How long does colic last in a baby, and when does it go away?
Applies to age: 0–6 months
In short
Colic usually stops when a baby is 3 to 4 months old, and it can start as early as a few weeks of age. It is worth seeing a doctor if symptoms continue after the 4th month.
What is normal
All claims: international norm
- Colic can start when a baby is a few weeks old.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
It can start when a baby is a few weeks old.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Colic usually stops when a baby is 3 to 4 months old.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
It usually stops by the time they're 3 to 4 months old.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Colic may be suspected when an otherwise healthy baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, on 3 days a week, for at least a week.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
All babies cry, but your baby may have colic if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week but are otherwise healthy.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- A baby with colic may cry more often in the afternoon and evening.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
They may cry more often in the afternoon and evening.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- A baby with colic usually does not need to see a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they have colic.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
When to worry
All claims: international norm
Worth discussing with a doctor:
- Colic symptoms that continue after the 4th month of life: it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Lack of the expected growth or weight gain in a baby with colic: it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby is not growing or putting on weight as expected
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
ER / 112 (Poland)
Some claims: international norm
Immediate medical help needed: international norm
- A weak or high-pitched cry in a baby needs immediate medical help.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- A cry that does not sound like the baby's usual cry needs immediate medical help.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby's cry does not sound like their normal cry
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- An ambulance is called when a sick person suddenly gets worse in a way that may lead to harm to their health.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
nagłego pogorszenia się stanu osoby chorej, który może prowadzić do uszczerbku na zdrowiu
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [2]
- 112 (the emergency number in Poland) or 999 (the ambulance number in Poland) is called when life or health is at risk.
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zadzwoń na 112 lub 999, jeśli zagrożone jest życie lub zdrowie.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [3]
See a doctor
- A sick person who goes to a primary care (POZ) clinic should get an appointment on the day of reporting, or, if that is not possible, at a time agreed with them.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Jeśli przyjdziesz chory do przychodni, powinieneś uzyskać wizytę w dniu zgłoszenia.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [2]
Polish original
Jeśli to niemożliwe - w terminie uzgodnionym z tobą.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [2]
- After the opening hours of a POZ clinic, medical help is provided by night and holiday care (NiŚOZ).
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Nocna i świąteczna opieka zdrowotna to pomoc lekarska po godzinach pracy przychodni POZ.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [3]
- If in doubt, it is better to see a doctor.
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zawsze jeśli masz wątpliwości – lepiej skonsultować się z lekarzem.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [3]
Myths
Unproven Myth: “Colic drops, herbal supplements or probiotics will soothe a baby's colic”
Why it is wrong. Such remedies for colic, including anti-colic drops and herbal and probiotic supplements, are not recommended, and there is no evidence that they help with colic.Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Remedies for colic, such as anti-colic drops, herbal or probiotic supplements, are available from pharmacies and some shops, but they're not recommended and there's no evidence they help colic.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)
- https://pacjent.gov.pl/aktualnosc/kiedy-wezwac-karetke
- https://pacjent.gov.pl/jak-dziala-podstawowa-opieka-zdrowotna
License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. - NFZ i Akademia NFZLicense: Treści NFZ – wykorzystanie ze wskazaniem źródła, bez obrotu komercyjnego. Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ. Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.