When Does Colic End? It Will Eventually, Promise

Caring for a colicky baby can drive even the most patient of parents to distraction. The incessant crying can fray your nerves, and you can't help but feel bad for the inconsolable little one. So when does colic end for most babies, and what can you do in the meantime?

First, it helps to understand the basics of colic. Bouts of inconsolable crying are fairly common, and up to 40 percent of babies may have colic, as noted by Kids Health. Of course, this is little consolation when it's your baby who won't stop crying. Although its exact cause is unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic, colic could be caused by anything from allergies to an underdeveloped digestive system. For the time being, colic is a somewhat mysterious condition that affects many infants and their caregivers.

Fortunately, all bad things come to an end, and colic is no exception. According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), about half of colic cases end around three months, whereas 90 percent of the cases are gone by the time a baby is nine months old. Although this may not seem like a long amount of time objectively, anyone caring for a colicky baby probably wants this condition gone as soon as possible. But according to Today's Parent, there is no known cure for colic, so you will probably have to wait for it to go away on its own. That said, there are plenty of things you can try to soothe a colicky baby in the meantime. Whether you opt for a car ride or a swaddling session, hopefully you can provide some comfort to your infant until the colic goes away.

In addition, it's a good idea to know when you should check in with your doctor about a colicky baby. Because crying is your baby's main means of communication, it can be difficult to tell whether she's just colicky or responding to some other health problem. So if your baby's cries sound strange, or she absolutely will not stop crying, then you may want to check in with your physician for advice, as explained in WebMD. In general though, you and your baby will weather the colicky phase like champs, and come out of it ready to tackle the next parenting challenges.