Soothing Colic
If you're in the thick of colic right now — exhausted, desperate, watching your baby scream and not knowing how to help — I want you to know you're not alone, and there are things that can genuinely help. This post covers what colic actually is, what I reach for in clinic, and how to work out which remedy fits your baby's picture.
What is colic?
Colic is typically defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby. It usually peaks around six weeks and resolves by three to four months — but those weeks can feel endless when you're in them.
The cause isn't fully understood, but digestive discomfort, trapped wind, gut immaturity and sensitivity are all thought to play a role. What we know for certain is that the baby is in real distress — the crying isn't manipulative, it's communicative.
The key homeopathic remedies for colic
This is where homeopathy really shines. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we match the remedy to the specific picture — the type of pain, what makes it better or worse, and how the baby is behaving. Here are the most common colic remedies I use:
Colocynthis — the classic colic remedy
This is the remedy I think of first for colic. The baby pulls their knees up to their chest, and firm pressure on the abdomen brings relief — they may settle when held tummy-down across your forearm. The pain comes in waves, is colicky and cramping, and the baby is very distressed. Often worse after feeding.
Mag Phos — cramping that eases with warmth
Similar to Colocynthis in that the baby is better for pressure, but the distinguishing feature here is that warmth brings relief — a warm water bottle on the tummy, a warm bath, being held against a warm body. The pain is spasmodic and cramping. This is a lovely remedy for the baby who settles on mum's warm chest or in a warm bath.
Chamomilla — the inconsolable, angry baby
The Chamomilla colic baby is furious. They scream and arch, and nothing satisfies them — they want to be picked up, then put down, then picked up again. They may be better for being carried and walked, but only briefly. Often one cheek is red. The pain seems unbearable to them. This is also a key teething remedy for the same reason — the oversensitivity to pain.
Nux Vomica — colic from wind and digestive upset
For the baby who seems to have a lot of wind and digestive sensitivity — particularly if there's a dietary component (something mum has eaten coming through in breast milk, or formula sensitivity). The baby may strain to pass wind or stool. Irritable, better for warmth and being left alone.
Lycopodium — bloating and wind in the late afternoon
If colic is worst in the late afternoon and evening (4–8pm is a classic Lycopodium time), and the baby has a lot of bloating and trapped wind in the lower abdomen, Lycopodium is worth considering. The abdomen may look visibly distended.
The Colic Relief blend — when you need support right now
Choosing between single remedies in the middle of a colic episode — when you're sleep-deprived and your baby is screaming — is genuinely hard. That's exactly why I created the Colic Relief blend.
➡️ Shop the Colic Relief Blend — $19.95
Formulated to support babies through colicky digestive pain. One of the most-reviewed products in the range — parents consistently tell me it works when nothing else has.
What else can help alongside homeopathy
- Tummy massage: gentle clockwise strokes following the direction of the large intestine can help move trapped wind
- The bicycle legs technique: gently cycling baby's legs while they lie on their back
- Warmth on the tummy: a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in a cloth, held against the abdomen
- Check your diet if breastfeeding: cruciferous vegetables, caffeine, dairy and onions can all contribute to wind in some breastfed babies
- Feeding position: keeping baby more upright during and after feeding, and ensuring a good latch, can reduce the amount of air swallowed
When to see a doctor
Please seek medical attention if your baby:
- Has a fever alongside the crying
- Is not gaining weight or is losing weight
- Has blood in the stool
- Is vomiting forcefully after feeds
- Seems unwell in any other way
Colic is a diagnosis of exclusion — meaning other causes of crying need to be ruled out first.
Want help finding the right remedy for your baby?
Book an acute consult with Bianca →
Or try the Colic Relief blend — made for the moments when you just need something that works.
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If your baby is unwell, always consult your GP or paediatrician. Homeopathy is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for professional medical care.
