My Newborn Won't Stop Crying, Could It Be Colic?

My newborn won't stop crying, could it be colic? That is a question many parents search late at night when their baby has been crying for hours, and nothing seems to help. You’re not doing anything wrong; newborn crying can feel overwhelming, and colic is one common reason a healthy baby may cry for long stretches.

Knowing what to expect and how to tell what’s normal, what is colic, and when to call your pediatric provider can give Alaska families true peace of mind. Learn how to identify potential colic, soothe your baby, and when to reach out to Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach for advice.

What Is Colic In Newborns?

Colic in newborns is sometimes defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week for more than three weeks in an otherwise healthy infant (Mayo Clinic, 2025). Colic generally implies that your baby's nervous system, digestive system, feeding schedules, or cues for discomfort may still be getting used to life outside the womb. Colic usually starts around 2–3 weeks of age. It typically peaks around 6 weeks of age and resolves around 3–4 months of age; however, the cause is unknown (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

Many babies with colic continue to feed, grow, and develop normally between crying spells. If your baby’s crying feels unusual, intense, or different from their normal pattern, a pediatric provider can help you understand if it’s colic or something else.

What Does Colic Look Like In Babies?

Inconsolable crying is one of the most common colic symptoms in babies Alaska parents may notice. Other colic symptoms in babies include:

Possible Colic Sign	What Parents May Notice
Long crying spells	Your baby cries for hours, even after feeding, burping, changing, and rocking.
Same-time crying pattern	Crying often happens in the late afternoon or evening.
Intense cry	The cry may sound sharper, stronger, or harder to soothe than usual.
Tight body posture	Your baby may clench fists, stiffen legs, arch the back, or pull knees toward the belly.
Red face while crying	Your baby may look flushed during crying spells, then calmer once the episode passes.
Hard to settle	Soothing may help briefly, but the crying may return.

The key difference is that a baby with colic often seems well between crying spells. They may still feed, sleep in short stretches, and have normal wet diapers.

Is It Colic or Something Else? How to Tell the Difference

Is my baby colic or something else? Colic is common, but crying can also be caused by hunger, gas, reflux, milk protein sensitivity, or illness. Noticing a pattern matters (MedlinePlus, 2025).

Hunger — Feeding Cues vs Colic Pattern

Hunger crying often comes with rooting, lip smacking, sucking on hands, or calming once feeding begins. Colic crying is different because it may continue even after your baby has eaten, burped, and been held.

Gas — How Gas Discomfort Differs From Colic Episodes

Gas discomfort may improve after burping, passing gas, or a bowel movement. Colic may look similar because babies can curl their legs or tighten their belly, but the crying often continues in longer waves.

Reflux — Spitting Up, Arching, and Feeding Refusal

Reflux may be part of the picture if crying happens during or after feeds. Watch for frequent spit-up, back arching, coughing with feeds, pulling away from the breast or bottle, or refusing to finish.

Milk Protein Allergy — Stool Changes, Eczema, and Feeding-Linked Distress

Milk protein sensitivity may cause blood or mucus in the stool, eczema, frequent spit-up, diarrhea, or a repeated pattern of distress after feeds. If symptoms seem linked to formula or breast milk, call a pediatric provider before repeatedly changing formulas.

Illness — Fever, Lethargy, and Feeding Changes

Sometimes crying is your baby’s way of saying something has changed. Fever, forceful vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, or a clear behavior change should be reviewed by a pediatric provider.

How to Soothe a Colicky Baby?

There is no single trick that works for colicky babies, but simple soothing steps can sometimes shorten crying spells or help your baby settle. Mayo Clinic recommends comfort measures such as rocking, swaddling, warm baths, pacifiers, stroller walks, and caregiver breaks when a baby is hard to console.

Try This	How It May Help
Hold your baby close	Skin-to-skin contact can provide warmth, comfort, and steady reassurance.
Rock or sway gently	Slow movement may help an overstimulated baby settle.
Use white noise	Soft background sound can calm some newborns.
Swaddle safely	A light swaddle may help babies who like feeling snug.
Offer a pacifier	Sucking can be soothing even when your baby is not hungry.
Burp during and after feeds	Extra burping may help if swallowed air causes discomfort.
Try a warm bath	Warm water may relax your baby’s muscles.
Lower stimulation	Dim the lights and reduce noise during fussy periods.
Take turns with another caregiver	A short break helps parents reset and stay calm.

If these steps do not help, that does not mean you failed. It may simply mean your baby needs time, a different soothing rhythm, or a pediatric check-in.

When Should I Call a Doctor About My Newborn’s Crying in Anchorage?

Call a pediatric provider the same day if your newborn’s crying feels different or more intense, or if the crying is accompanied by other symptoms like:

• Your newborn has a fever of 100.4°F or higher For a baby under 3 months, this should be checked the same day, no exceptions.

• Crying comes with vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the stool These symptoms may indicate something other than colic.

• Your baby is not eating or has fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours Poor feeding or fewer wet diapers may mean your baby needs support with hydration or feeding.

• The crying sounds different than usual A high-pitched, weak, or unusual cry is worth checking.

• You notice a bulge in the groin or belly button area A new bulge, swelling, color change, or tenderness should be evaluated.

• Your baby seems limp, unusually sleepy, or hard to wake Seek immediate pediatric guidance.

• You are concerned You know your baby best. If something feels off, trust your instincts and call.

The care team at Alaska Children’s can help you decide whether your baby’s crying pattern is consistent with colic or requires a closer evaluation via telemedicine or an in-person visit.

Book An Urgent Care Visit

Can Telemedicine Help With A Crying or Colicky Newborn in Anchorage, Alaska?

Yes. With Alaska Children’s pediatric telemedicine, newborn care in Alaska is an option when your baby will not stop crying, and you’re unsure whether it’s colic, feeding trouble, reflux, or gas, and you need expert care and a closer look. Telemedicine is also a great resource for families in rural or remote Alaska communities. 

A video visit allows you to speak with a pediatric provider without making a long drive, taking a ferry, or flying. Alaska Children’s offers same-day video visits with board-certified pediatric providers from 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, for families across Alaska.

During the telemedicine visit, the provider may ask about crying patterns, feeding amounts, wet and dirty diapers, spit-up, stool changes, sleep, and what soothing steps you have tried. They may also observe your baby’s color, breathing, comfort, alertness, skin, belly movement, and general behavior by video.

Whether you’re in Anchorage or living in a rural or remote community, hours from the nearest clinic, telemedicine with Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach is equipped and ready to help your newborn today. No long drive required.

Book A Telehealth Visit

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for concerns about your child’s health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my newborn has colic?

Colic usually means your baby cries for long periods, often around the same time each day, even after feeding, changing, burping, and soothing. If your baby is feeding well, having normal wet diapers, and seems well between crying spells, colic may be the reason.

How long does colic last in infants?

Colic often starts around 2–3 weeks of age, peaks around 6 weeks, and usually improves by 3–4 months. If the crying pattern changes suddenly or your baby is not feeding well, call a pediatric provider.

Can telemedicine help if my newborn won’t stop crying?

Yes. A pediatric telemedicine visit can help review your baby’s crying pattern, feeding, diapers, spit-up, sleep, and comfort signs. The provider can help you decide whether it sounds like colic or whether your baby should be seen in person.