On colics
Colic most often appears in babies under 4 months of age, usually from the 3rd week of life.
Its exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to be related to the drastic change in environment after birth, the immaturity of the nervous system, and undeveloped sleep rhythms. It's as if the baby still needs a "fourth trimester" — a period of gradual adaptation.
In cultures where babies are carried in slings, frequently fed, and rocked throughout the day, colic occurs less frequently. The goal of the following five steps is to closely imitate the womb environment and activate what's known as the calming reflex. Some babies need only one or two of these steps, while others require the whole sequence.
Five Steps to Help Relieve Your Baby's Colic
1. Swaddling
Tightly and safely wrapping your baby with their arms alongside their body reminds them of the snug space inside the womb. While this position may seem uncomfortable to adults, babies often love it because it makes them feel secure. Swaddling doesn't activate the calming reflex by itself but prepares the baby for the other steps. Some babies may even cry more initially, but this is usually temporary. You can begin swaddling right after birth and continue at least until around 4 months of age.
2. Side or Tummy Position (Under Supervision)
These positions help trigger the calming reflex because they mimic the fetal position in the womb. Start tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Lying on the back often triggers the Moro startle reflex, where the baby flings their arms wide open as if trying to grab something while falling. This reflex is similar to how a monkey baby tries to grab onto its mother's fur when falling.
Tummy sleeping helps release trapped gas, so during the day — when you're awake and supervising your baby — it's a great position, especially for healthy, full-term infants. At night, always place your baby on their back or side. Don't let fears of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) overly stress you. Several risk factors must come together for SIDS to occur, and tummy sleeping alone is not enough to cause it.
3. Loud White Noise
Many parents think babies need silence to sleep — in fact, the opposite is true. In the womb, babies were constantly surrounded by loud noises — blood rushing through vessels, the heartbeat, and other bodily sounds. That's why babies find deep, steady sounds calming, such as a vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, or car engine. You can find samples of these sounds online (e.g., uspavac.cz). Natural sounds (rain, ocean waves, waterfalls, wind), lullabies, or a steady "shhhhhh" — as loud as the baby's cry — also work very well.
Playing white noise throughout the night can significantly extend sleep duration. Some babies even sleep through the night when white noise is used.
4. Rocking and Movement
Our grandmothers knew that rocking was the best remedy for sleeplessness — most babies used to sleep peacefully in cradles. While cradles are less common today, babies still love rocking and rhythmic motion, just like they experienced in the womb.
In the early stages of calming, the movements should be firm and quick. In addition to rocking in your arms or bouncing on a yoga ball, many babies enjoy being swayed side to side while lying on your arms or being lifted up and down (be mindful, as this can trigger the Moro reflex in some babies).
Other techniques include rhythmic tapping on the baby's back — like drumming — or gently shaking or rolling the swaddled baby on your lap. Baby swings, cradles, and strollers are also great tools for calming through movement.
5. Sucking
There's no simpler way for a mother to calm her baby than to offer the breast. Besides nourishment, sucking has a soothing effect — the warmth and sweetness of breast milk increase endorphins in the baby's brain. It's even known that fetuses suck their fingers in the womb.
Once breastfeeding is well established (usually after 2–3 weeks), you can try using a pacifier (it helps to try different shapes) or a bottle. If the baby refuses the pacifier, don't force it. If it falls out frequently, you can encourage practice by gently tugging on the pacifier a few times to stimulate sucking and strengthen the facial muscles.
What to Watch For
Not every cry means colic. Check whether:
• Your baby is getting enough milk (at least 5–6 wet diapers per day, at least one bowel movement, and healthy weight gain),
• Your breasts are overly full (express a little milk before feeding and cool the breast afterward),
• The baby is latching properly (deep latch, tummy-to-tummy position, no pain),
• There are signs of gas or bloating (fennel or caraway herbs can help — in moderation).
A Few Notes About Pacifiers
• Don't use one before breastfeeding is well established.
• Choose silicone over rubber.
• Don't dip it in sweet substances.
• Clean thoroughly and never lick the pacifier yourself.
• Never tie it around the baby's neck.
• Try to wean from the pacifier around 4–5 months — it becomes harder later.
And Finally…
Remember, every baby is unique. The most important thing is to create a loving, safe environment — and don't be afraid to ask for advice from someone you trust. An experienced mother can often offer more helpful guidance than a generic chart.