Colic is a condition in which a healthy baby cries intensely and for prolonged periods, typically starting around 2–5 weeks of age and usually resolving by 3–4 months. The exact cause of colic is unknown, but several theories and contributing factors have been suggested:
- Digestive system immaturity : The baby's digestive tract may not be fully developed, leading to discomfort
- Sensitivity or intolerance : Some babies may be sensitive to something in their formula or breast milk, or to foods the nursing mother consumes, such as cow's milk, caffeine, or certain vegetables
- Difficulty adjusting to the environment : Babies may cry as they try to adapt to new sights, sounds, and sensations outside the womb, reflecting their immature nervous system and inability to self-soothe
- Gas and swallowing air : While colicky babies may have more gas due to swallowing air during crying, gas itself is not considered the cause of colic
- Other possible factors : Overfeeding, underfeeding, infrequent burping, early forms of childhood migraine, and family stress or anxiety have also been proposed as contributors
Colic is not due to illness or infection, and there is no diagnostic test for it. It is a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out other causes of excessive crying
. In summary, colic likely results from a combination of digestive immaturity, environmental sensitivity, and individual infant temperament, but no single cause has been definitively identified
