Step

What is a newborn's' colic 'really

Intense crying does not necessarily indicate a stomach ache: it is a physiological passage in the first months

Educational area

Postpartum

New parent

Weeks

Option 1

Useful Information

In the first 2—12 weeks of life, many newborns experience moments of sudden, prolonged, and inconsolable crying. They are commonly called “colic”, but there is no clear evidence that they are caused by stomach pain: it's more of a way to describe intense evening crying. When crying, the newborn activates the whole body: it stiffens, blushes, pulls its legs, expels air.These episodes are temporary and tend to decrease spontaneously by the fourth month.They do not indicate a problem or a mistake on your part: they are a normal step in the adaptation to life outside the womb.

Evening crying often appears when the newborn is tired or overstimulated: after a day full of lights, sounds and contacts, he needs to “unload.” As long as he eats, grows, discharges well and calms down between episodes, it is not a sign of serious malaise. If, on the other hand, new symptoms appear (fever, persistent vomiting, difficulty feeding, lethargy), it is good to notify the pediatrician to rule out other causes.

Who can I interface with

Territorial health services

Paediatricians and specialists

Useful links