For a colicky newborn, the most effective options are a combination of physical soothing techniques, specific probiotics, and dietary adjustments rather than any single medication. Colic, defined as crying for more than three hours a day on three or more days per week for over three weeks, typically peaks around six weeks of age and fades by three to four months. That timeline feels like an eternity when you’re living through it, so here’s what actually has evidence behind it.
Physical Soothing: The Five S’s
The first line of relief doesn’t come from a bottle or dropper. Five specific techniques, sometimes called the “five S’s,” work by mimicking the environment of the womb and triggering a built-in calming response in young infants. That response lowers heart rate and shifts the nervous system toward relaxation. The five techniques are:
- Swaddling provides a snug, contained feeling similar to the womb.
- Side or stomach position (while held, not for sleep) can settle a fussy baby when a back position isn’t calming.
- Shushing with a loud, continuous “shhh” or white noise mimics the constant whoosh of blood flow through the placenta.
- Swinging with small, rhythmic movements replicates the gentle motion a baby felt from the mother’s breathing and movement.
- Sucking on a pacifier or finger mirrors the swallowing of amniotic fluid in utero.
These work best when layered together and are most effective during the first two months of life, which conveniently overlaps with the worst stretch of colic. They won’t eliminate every crying episode, but they can shorten bouts and give you a reliable starting point before trying anything else.
Probiotics With Good Evidence
A specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is the most studied supplement for infant colic and the one with the strongest results. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found it reduced crying time by about 28 minutes per day after just one week, roughly 43 minutes per day by two weeks, and about 56 minutes per day by four weeks. More than half of treated infants achieved at least a 50% reduction in daily crying time.
This strain is available in infant probiotic drops sold at most pharmacies. The evidence is strongest for breastfed infants. If you’re formula-feeding, the results have been more mixed, though some trials still showed benefit. Look for products that specifically list this strain on the label rather than a generic “probiotic blend.”
Lactase Drops
Some colicky babies struggle to fully digest lactose, the sugar in both breast milk and formula. When lactose passes through undigested, it ferments in the gut, producing gas, bloating, and pain. Lactase drops provide the enzyme that breaks down lactose before it causes trouble.
In a randomized trial, infants given lactase drops cried or fussed for an average of about 90 minutes per day by the end of four weeks, compared to nearly 180 minutes per day in the placebo group. The number of days with colic episodes also dropped significantly. Multiple earlier crossover trials found similar reductions in both crying time and intestinal gas. You typically add the drops to expressed breast milk or formula a short time before feeding. They’re available over the counter and considered safe for newborns.
Dietary Changes for Breastfeeding Mothers
If you’re breastfeeding, what you eat can directly affect your baby’s comfort. A trial published in BMJ tested a low-allergen diet that eliminated dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and fish. Within one week, 74% of babies in the diet group improved by at least 25%, compared to 37% in the control group. On average, the diet cut crying by about an hour and a half per day.
You don’t necessarily need to drop all seven food groups at once. Cow’s milk protein is the most common culprit, so many parents start there and wait about two weeks to see a change. If that alone doesn’t help, you can try removing additional foods one at a time. If the crying improves, you can reintroduce foods individually to figure out which one was the trigger.
Formula Switches for Bottle-Fed Babies
For formula-fed infants, switching to an extensively hydrolyzed formula can help. These formulas have their milk proteins broken down into much smaller pieces that are less likely to provoke a reaction in the gut. A double-blind trial found that infants switched to an extensively hydrolyzed whey formula had a significant reduction in daily crying compared to those kept on standard formula. Your pediatrician can recommend specific products. Partially hydrolyzed or “gentle” formulas are not the same thing and may not provide the same relief.
What Doesn’t Work (or Isn’t Safe)
Simethicone (Gas Drops)
Simethicone is one of the most commonly purchased remedies for colic, but the clinical evidence does not support it. A systematic review of reviews and guidelines found the data either inconclusive or unfavorable across multiple studies. Three out of four clinical guidelines reviewed recommended against using simethicone for colic. It’s generally considered safe, so it won’t harm your baby, but it’s unlikely to make a meaningful difference in crying.
Gripe Water
Gripe water has been marketed for fussy babies since the 1840s, when the original formula contained dill seed oil, sodium bicarbonate, and alcohol. Some historical formulations contained up to 9% alcohol. Modern versions sold in the U.S. are typically alcohol-free, but many still contain sodium bicarbonate, which has no role in treating colic since excess stomach acid isn’t the problem. High sugar content in some brands can also harm developing teeth. There is no strong clinical evidence that gripe water reduces colic symptoms.
Homeopathic Teething and Colic Products
The FDA has issued direct warnings against homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna, a plant-derived ingredient. Testing of products from Hyland’s and CVS found that levels of belladonna-derived compounds (atropine and scopolamine) varied widely between tablets and in some cases far exceeded what was listed on the label. Hyland’s teething tablets were eventually recalled nationwide in 2017. Some parents use these same product lines for colic. Avoid any homeopathic product containing belladonna or one that has inconsistent ingredient labeling.
A Realistic Timeline
Colic almost always resolves on its own. The worst period centers around six weeks of age, and most babies are significantly better by three to four months. That doesn’t make the intervening weeks easy, but it does mean that any intervention you try will overlap with a period of natural improvement. If your baby’s crying suddenly worsens after it had been improving, or if it’s accompanied by fever, vomiting, or refusal to eat, that pattern points away from colic and toward something else worth investigating.
The most practical approach is to start with the physical soothing techniques, since they cost nothing and work immediately, then layer in a probiotic or lactase drops if the crying persists. Dietary changes take longer to show results but can make a dramatic difference for the subset of babies whose colic is driven by food sensitivities.