Is It Colic or Just Gas? How to Tell Why Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying

When the Crying Doesn’t Stop

There’s a particular cry that parents never forget, the one that doesn’t fade after cuddles, feeding, or rocking. It’s long, sharp, and desperate. You’ve tried everything: burping, pacing the hallway, changing nappies, even driving around the block in the middle of the night.

These moments test even the most patient parents with one lingering question: “Is something wrong? Could this be colic, or just trapped gas?”

Both are common in early infancy. In fact, around 1 in 5 Australian babies show signs of colic. Understanding what’s really happening can bring comfort to both you and your baby.

Colic vs Gas: Why It’s So Hard to Tell

At first glance, colic and gas look identical. Both cause intense crying, discomfort, and sleepless nights. But what’s happening inside your baby’s tiny body is quite different.

Colic is associated with a group of infant behaviours. That is generally defined as inconsolable crying that lasts for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more, following “the rule of 3s”. 

It often peaks around 6–8 weeks and fades by 3–4 months. The cause is still widely unknown, but doctors believe it’s linked to an immature digestive system, oversensitivity to stimulation, or even gut-brain communication challenges.

Gas, on the other hand, is far more common and usually milder. It happens when air gets trapped in your baby’s tummy. Often from swallowing air while feeding or crying. The discomfort passes once the gas is released.

In short, gas causes temporary pain, while colic is a prolonged pattern.

How to Recognise the Difference

Understanding subtle signs can help you tell if your baby’s cries stem from gas or colic — or a mix of both.

When It’s Likely Gas

• Crying happens after feeding and reduces after burping or passing wind.

• Baby’s tummy feels tight or bloated.

• Pulling knees toward the chest or arching back during feeds.

• Relief is visible once gas is released, the crying stops and baby relaxes.

When It Might Be Colic

• Crying follows a predictable pattern, often in the evening hours.

• Crying continues even after feeding, burping, or cuddling.

• Baby’s face turns red, fists clench, body stiffens, and legs kick out.

• You notice daily, extended episodes of intense, inconsolable crying.

A study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2024) found that about 20 % of infants show colic-like crying patterns, but many cases are mislabelled as simple wind.

It’s not always about the tummy; sometimes it’s about the nervous system still learning to regulate itself.

Why This Matters: The Emotional Toll on Parents

Many parents blame themselves when their baby cries inconsolably. But neither colic nor gas is your fault. Colic is a developmental stage, and gas is a common side effect of digestion and feeding.

The hardest part isn’t the noise; it’s the helplessness. The long nights of guessing, the worry that you’re missing something serious, the guilt when nothing works.
This is where gentle reassurance and a bit of science can make a world of difference.

Soothing Strategies That Help (What Experts Recommend)

There’s no single fix for every baby, but understanding what soothes and why can help you choose the right approach.

1. Focus on Feeding Technique

Air swallowed during feeding is a leading cause of gas and colic-like discomfort. Holding your baby upright and ensuring a proper latch or seal can make all the difference.
If you’re bottle-feeding, opt for a bottle with an anti-colic vent system, like Dr Brown’s Options+™ Bottles, to reduce air bubbles and pressure inside the tummy.

“Babies can’t tell you they’re swallowing air, but their tummies can. When we reduce air intake, we often see faster settling and fewer prolonged crying spells.”

2. Gentle, Rhythmic Movement

Motion helps calm an overstimulated nervous system. Rocking, babywearing, or using a pram for short walks helps mimic the womb’s motion, offering comfort and predictability.
Even the soft hum of the car or white noise can recreate that safe, rhythmic space your baby craves.

Many Australian parents share that short pram walks at dusk or soft babywearing while swaying to quiet music became their “reset ritual” during colicky evenings.

3. Tummy Time and Gentle Massage

Light tummy pressure helps trapped air move through the intestines. Try placing your baby tummy-down across your knees or gently massaging in clockwise circles with warm hands.
Avoid doing this right after feeding; wait 20–30 minutes to prevent discomfort. Massage not only relieves gas but also strengthens your baby’s digestive coordination over time.

Also read: ”How to Soothe a Gassy Baby”

4. Soothing the Sensory System

Colic often has a sensory component, babies become overstimulated by light, noise, or even the day’s activity.
Dimming lights, lowering noise, and keeping bedtime routines consistent can reduce crying frequency. Sometimes, less stimulation, not more soothing, is the real answer.

5. Supporting the Parent, Not Just the Baby

A crying baby affects everyone. When sleep deprivation, worry, and guilt build up, your resilience shrinks. Take breaks, ask for help, and remember: sometimes a 10-minute breather is better for both you and your baby.

If the crying feels overwhelming or triggers anxiety, reach out to your GP or local support lines like: PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) — 1300 726 306.
You deserve rest and reassurance just as much as your baby does.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Always trust your instincts. If your baby’s crying feels different from usual, sharper, weaker, or persistent beyond even 1 month, check in with your GP or child health nurse.

Also seek professional guidance if you notice:

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

• Poor weight gain

• High fever

• Blood in stool

• Lethargy or sudden changes in feeding

Sometimes what looks like colic may be reflux, allergies, or milk intolerance; conditions that need professional support.

Finding Calm in the Chaos

Remember: crying is your baby’s language.
It’s how they process discomfort, overstimulation, and growth.
Some nights will still be hard, but they will pass.

With time, patience, the right tools, a soothing environment, responsive feeding, and expert-backed bottles designed to reduce air intake, your baby’s comfort (and your peace) will slowly return.

At a Glance: A Parent’s Perspective

Closing Note

Both colic and gas are temporary, but your love, patience, and effort are lasting.
With understanding, good feeding habits, and the right bottle support, your baby will find comfort, and so will you.

Explore Dr Brown’s anti-colic feeding range at drbrowns.com.au, designed to make every feed calmer, and every cry a little easier to understand.