Caring for a colicky baby at night is one of the most exhausting and emotional experiences for any parent. I’ve been through it myself—those endless hours of crying, the feeling of helplessness, the constant guessing game about what might help. Based on personal experience, along with well-researched, expert-backed strategies, I’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you soothe your colicky baby at night.
Understanding Colic First
Colic is defined as excessive crying in an otherwise healthy baby, typically for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more. It usually peaks around 6 weeks of age and improves by 3 to 4 months. While the exact cause is unknown, experts believe it may be linked to digestive discomfort, gas, sensitivity to stimulation, or immature nervous systems.
Knowing this helped me manage my expectations and focus on calming strategies rather than searching for a cure.
Step-by-Step Guide to Soothe a Colicky Baby at Night
Step 1: Hold and Comfort Your Baby
The first and most natural instinct is to hold your baby. In my case, just holding my baby against my chest helped reduce the intensity of the crying.
- Use a colic hold: Place the baby face down along your forearm, with their head supported by your elbow and your hand holding their bottom.
- Try skin-to-skin contact, which is calming for many babies.
- Walk or gently sway while holding your baby upright.
Comfort through closeness reassures your baby and can ease gas and digestive discomfort.
Step 2: Try Gentle Motions
Rhythmic movement can mimic the womb and help settle a colicky baby.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Rocking in a chair or using a baby swing on the lowest setting.
- Placing the baby in a carrier or wrap and walking around the house.
- Going for a slow drive in the car during night hours if safe and convenient.
- Using a white noise machine or fan to create a consistent background hum.
Motion combined with sound was especially effective in helping my baby fall asleep after an episode.
Step 3: Offer a Feeding or Check for Hunger
Hunger may trigger or worsen colic-like symptoms. However, avoid overfeeding, which can make things worse.
- Offer the breast or bottle if your baby hasn’t fed in 2–3 hours.
- If bottle-feeding, use anti-colic nipples and hold the bottle at an angle to reduce air intake.
- After feeding, make sure to burp the baby thoroughly.
Proper burping techniques include:
- Holding baby upright against your chest and gently patting their back.
- Sitting baby on your lap, supporting their chest and chin, and rubbing their back.
Burping after every feed—and even mid-feed—helped reduce gas and bloating for my little one.
Step 4: Check for Overstimulation
Too much light, sound, or activity can overload your baby’s senses.
- Dim the lights in the room.
- Reduce background noise (TV, loud conversations).
- Avoid handling by multiple people close to bedtime.
- Use a dark, quiet, calm environment to transition into nighttime sleep.
In my experience, overstimulation late in the day led to long nighttime crying spells. A calm wind-down routine helped prevent that.
Step 5: Try Swaddling
Swaddling recreates the secure feeling of the womb and can be very calming.
- Use a light cotton or muslin blanket.
- Swaddle snugly but not too tight—make sure hips can move freely.
- Keep the room temperature moderate to avoid overheating.
Swaddling worked well until my baby started rolling over, around 2 months. Then, we transitioned to a swaddle transition sleep sack.
Step 6: Use Pacifiers
Some babies are soothed by sucking even when not hungry.
- Offer a pacifier if your baby seems to want to suck but refuses the bottle or breast.
- Make sure the pacifier is age-appropriate and safe for use during sleep.
Pacifiers helped us significantly during late-night colic episodes. They also gave me a few precious minutes of quiet to regroup.
Step 7: Tummy Time and Gas Relief Techniques
Gas can worsen colic, so relieving pressure helps.
- Give your baby tummy time during the day while supervised.
- Try bicycling baby’s legs while they lie on their back to help pass gas.
- Use gentle abdominal massage in clockwise circular motions to stimulate digestion.
We started incorporating a short massage routine after evening feeds, and it gradually helped reduce nighttime fussiness.
Step 8: Review Baby’s Diet (if Breastfeeding or Formula Feeding)
Sometimes, colic may be triggered by dietary sensitivities.
If breastfeeding:
- Avoid common irritants like dairy, caffeine, spicy foods, or chocolate.
- Monitor what you eat and see if symptoms worsen afterward.
If formula-feeding:
- Consider switching to a gentle or hydrolyzed formula (only after consulting your pediatrician).
In our case, cutting dairy from my diet for two weeks helped reduce the frequency of crying spells.
Step 9: Establish a Bedtime Routine
A consistent routine signals your baby that sleep is coming.
Keep it simple:
- A warm bath
- A short lullaby
- Swaddling or sleep sack
- A quiet, dim room
Even if colic disrupts sleep, having a routine creates predictability, which is comforting for both you and your baby.
Step 10: Take Care of Yourself Too
Caring for a colicky baby at night is draining. I made it a point to:
- Share night shifts with my partner.
- Take breaks when I felt overwhelmed.
- Talk to other parents or join support groups.
Your baby will grow out of colic. You need to stay physically and mentally well to get through it.
When to Call a Doctor
While colic is common, always consult your pediatrician if:
- Crying sounds unusual or painful
- Your baby has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
- There’s no improvement after 3–4 months
- Feeding issues or weight gain concerns arise
We visited our pediatrician during the early weeks, just to confirm everything was normal. That peace of mind was worth it.
Conclusion
Soothe your colicky baby at night by focusing on gentle motion, feeding checks, swaddling, white noise, and gas relief techniques. Combine these with a calm bedtime routine and take care of your own health along the way. It might not stop the crying immediately, but these steps build consistency and calm that will gradually reduce colic symptoms. Colic feels endless while you’re in it, but trust me—it does pass. What helped me most was realizing that my baby wasn’t in danger, just discomfort, and my job was to provide comfort, not solutions. With time, your baby will settle into peaceful nights.