What helps with colic? 17 soothing tools you can try today

Holly Klaassen, M.A.
May 31, 2025
5 min read

By Holly Klaassen, M.A. (edited by Macall Gordon, M.A.)

What helps with colic?: 17 tools you can try today

Colic stinks.

There's not too much more I can say about that. When your baby has colic, you're willing to try anything and everything to stop the crying and soothe your baby. It’s important to first rule out feeding issues as a source of the colic crying: silent reflux, oral ties, food intolerance, latch issues, all can cause inconsolable crying. Getting to the root of the colic will give you the most traction in helping your baby.

While you are troubleshooting, here are 17 strategies you can use right now to maybe get a little colic relief.

Go-to colic relief methods

The Colic Hold

Place your baby face down on your forearm, with their head resting either on your hand or near your elbow (head-on-hand only works for little babies). Either way, this will not only give them a change of view but will also put gentle pressure on the tummy, helping to relieve pain.

Warm compress

Try a warm compress on his tummy. You can use either a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel or a warm herbal pouch. This can provide some temporary relief if tummy trouble is an issue.

Bounce

Many parents find holding and bouncing their baby, either on an exercise ball or just standing in place, immediately provides relief from colic. This is also a great way to lose those pregnancy pounds. There are even specially designed balls and seats for this purpose (although a regular exercise ball will work too).

Jiggle

Similar to bouncing, try using smaller, quicker movements. Put your baby up high on your shoulder, so her tummy is pressing against the top of your shoulder. Hold on tight, then quickly jiggle her up and down (not too hard).

Rocking/Swinging

Rocking your baby in a car seat or infant swing can halt crying instantly. Mild fussing? Try a gentle back-and-forth motion. Full out crying or screaming? Try rocking faster and harder (highest setting on a swing). Some parents have even found that swinging the car seat in a wide arc works well (make sure your baby is buckled in!). Warning: When using the swing to calm your baby, you may need to settle them before placing them in the swing. Try jiggling or bouncing, and then once they have stopped crying, place them in the swing on the highest setting.

Rolling

Hold your baby so their tummy is resting on top of an exercise ball, and let them gently roll back and forth on it. You can also try laying your baby on the floor and gently rolling her legs up towards her chest. This can provide some relief if gas pressure is an issue.

White noise

Loud, constant white noise can really help. This can be a loud “shushing,” a vacuum cleaner, a dryer or dishwasher, a fan, or a white noise machine. The key with any white noise is volume. It does need to be loud. For safety, white noise should be kept below 65 decibels, and the machine should be at least six feet away from the baby’s ears. Try starting low and increasing gradually until your baby calms down.

Use a swaddle

Use a snug swaddle alongside white noise and bouncing or jiggling for even better results. If your little one fights it, it could be that they’re trying to get their hands up to their chest or chin, like they were in utero. If this is the case, you can try wrapping them with their hands in these locations or get a hands-up swaddle.

Go outside

Sometimes just being exposed to fresh, cool air can distract a baby enough to stop crying. Often, you will need to keep her in constant motion, either carrying, bouncing, or pushing in a stroller. This can be the ideal solution for those colicky evenings. Plan walks during those hours rather than being stuck inside with a screaming baby.

Take a car ride

A ride in the car isn’t always ideal, especially in the middle of the night. But it does often calm even the most colicky baby.

Dance

It may have to be some pretty wild dancing! Colicky babies often need intense, fast-paced movement. Put on your favorite music, strap your baby into a front carrier, and go to town.

Sucking

If breastfeeding, let your baby feed as often as he wants. Don't worry about leaving 2-3 hours between feedings. Just be sure you are nursing on the same side to prevent your baby from getting too much watery foremilk. With a formula-fed baby, encourage the use of a pacifier or let them suck on your finger. Many babies (even non-colicky ones) cluster feed in the evenings. If your baby is crying in the evenings, it's always a good idea to offer food.

Warm bath

If your baby tends to cry in the evenings, plan to give her a bath during that time. Sometimes, a nice, relaxing bath can distract even a colicky baby enough to calm down for a few minutes. If you are having troubles with feeding your baby during their colicky period, try feeding in the bathtub. Not only will they get the skin-to-skin contact, but they may relax enough to accept the breast or bottle.

Baby carrier

It's not important what you do, as long as you keep moving. Put your baby in the carrier, but don't expect her to stop crying right away. You will probably have to bounce, walk around, and/or pat pretty constantly until they calm.

Tummy massage

Gently massage your baby's tummy, using small circles. You can also gently press down on your baby's tummy, starting right beneath the sternum, then move your fingers down the middle. This may help release any trapped gas.

Bicycling

Lay your baby on a soft blanket on the floor or sofa, and do some simple exercises to help release any gas. Gently press the legs up to the chest, one at a time, in a pedaling type movement.

Firm patting

Hoist your baby up on your shoulder, with their tummy pressed against the top of your shoulder. Pat on the back or bottom, gently at first. If this gentle patting doesn't seem to work, try patting their back gradually more firmly. Some babies may need quite firm patting in order to experience relief. The combination of gentle pressure on their tummy and the rhythmic sound of patting seems to calm many colicky babies.

Finding what works for your colicky baby

Every baby is different, and what helps with colic in babies varies from child to child. Try these techniques and pay attention to which ones provide the most relief for your little one. Remember, colic will pass eventually, and even if you can’t stop the crying, your attention and effort are making a difference.

About Holly Klaassen, M.A.

Holly Klaassen, M.A., was the founder of The Fussy Baby Site as a result of having her own colicky baby and feeling isolated in that experience. In addition to the website, she built two successful Facebook groups with nearly 90,000 parents.