Yes. A breastfed baby can have colic, but breastfeeding isn’t the cause and it often eases by 3–4 months.
What Colic Means And When It Peaks
Colic describes long spells of crying in an otherwise healthy infant. Many clinicians use the “rule of threes”: crying 3 or more hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or longer. Crying tends to rise around week six and fades by month four. Babies who feed at the breast, by bottle, or both can all have colic.
Early Signs Versus Red Flags
Normal crying ramps up in the first weeks of life. Colic looks like intense, hard-to-soothe crying, clenched fists, a tight belly, and a baby who pulls knees up. Red flags that need urgent care include fever, vomiting that is green or bloody, trouble breathing, a swollen abdomen, poor weight gain, a rash with illness, or if your baby seems floppy or unusually drowsy.
Colic At A Glance
This table gives you the big picture at one look.
| Topic | Quick Facts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Excessive crying in a healthy baby, often using the “rule of threes”. | Diagnosis needs a growth check and exam. |
| Who Gets It | Breastfed, formula-fed, and mixed-fed babies. | Feeding method isn’t the cause. |
| Peak | Crying often peaks near week six. | Evenings can be the toughest. |
| Resolution | Most babies settle by 3–4 months. | Steady weight gain is reassuring. |
| Common Look-Alikes | Reflux disease, infection, hernia, hair tourniquet, allergy. | See a clinician if unsure. |
| When To Get Help | Any red flag or stalled growth. | Feeding pain needs quick support. |
| Parent Wellbeing | Breaks and shared shifts matter. | Use safe sleep breaks when overwhelmed. |
What Drives Crying In A Breastfed Baby
Breastfeeding doesn’t cause colic. Still, a few feeding dynamics can amplify fussiness in a baby who is already sensitive.
- Fast let-down. A strong milk flow can flood the mouth. Baby gulps, swallows air, and ends the feed gassy. A laid-back position or letting the first surge pass can help.
- Oversupply. If baby fills up on early, thinner milk and quits before the creamier milk arrives, stools can turn frothy and green and gas may rise. One-breast-per-feed sessions and longer pauses can balance things.
- Latch or position. A shallow latch brings air and tummy discomfort. Small tweaks to angle, chin-to-breast contact, or a deeper latch can ease wind.
- Sensitivity to cow’s milk protein. Rare in exclusively breastfed babies, yet possible. True allergy brings more than crying: mucus or blood in stools, eczema, or poor growth. Any food trial should be guided by a clinician with a time-boxed plan.
- Immature gut and normal brain-body adjustment. Many babies cry in the evening and settle with time and sensory soothing.
Readers often ask in plain words: “can a baby get colic from breastfeeding?” The short answer is that colic can show up in any feeding setup, and nursing brings many benefits that make coping easier.
Can A Baby Get Colic From Breastfeeding? Causes, Myths, Facts
This is where worry spikes. Myths say that a parent’s diet always causes colic, or that colic means “not enough milk.” Evidence paints a different picture. Most breastfed babies with colic are healthy, gain well, and need time plus smart comfort steps. Some respond to targeted changes like a brief cow’s-milk elimination under medical guidance, or a probiotic strain tested in trials. For timelines and when to seek care, see the NHS breastfeeding and colic page, and for calming ideas the AAP colic guide. Both are plain-language, practical, and medically vetted. Bookmark them while you test changes.
Fast Relief You Can Try Today
- Feed in a semi-reclined pose to tame fast flow.
- Offer frequent burp breaks during and after feeds.
- Try one-breast-per-feed so baby reaches the creamier milk.
- Keep baby upright after feeds for 20–30 minutes.
- Use motion: carrier walks or gentle rocking.
- Lower sensory load in the evening: dim light, soft sounds.
- Offer a pacifier if you use them.
- Share shifts. A reset for the caregiver can settle the room.
Many parents type the full phrase again: “can a baby get colic from breastfeeding?” Yes, and the plan above keeps you nursing while you ease the crying.
How Long Colic Lasts
For most families, the worst weeks pass by month three or four. That timeline appears across national health services and pediatric references. Growth checks and a quick exam can rule out reflux disease, infection, or other causes when crying seems extreme.
When To See A Clinician
Call the doctor fast for any red flag signs above, or if crying blocks feeding or sleep. Book a feeding check when nipples are sore, baby coughs during let-down, weight gain is slow, or if you feel stuck. A short, hands-on session often uncovers easy fixes.
What The Research Says
Large groups show no link between breastfeeding itself and colic. That means the act of nursing doesn’t cause colic. Some breastfed babies do better with a tested probiotic strain (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938), mainly in the breastfed group, while results in mixed-fed groups vary. Evidence on maternal elimination diets is mixed; broad, long diet cuts are rarely needed and can harm nutrition. Short, guided trials for suspected cow’s-milk protein allergy may help select cases.
Near-Match Question—Can A Baby Get Colic While Breastfeeding? Common Triggers To Check
A close match to the main question helps readers who phrase it this way. The triggers to review are the same: fast flow, oversupply, latch depth, and rare food protein allergy. Add in sleep pressure and evening fuss. Tackle one change at a time so you see what helps.
Evidence-Backed Soothing Moves
Use this table to match a move with a likely trigger.
| Move | When To Try | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Laid-Back Latch | Strong spray, gulping, clicking sounds | Lean back 20–45°, place baby tummy-to-tummy so gravity softens flow. |
| Side-Lying Feeds | Both parent and baby need rest | Lie on your side with baby facing you; pause to burp mid-feed. |
| One-Breast-Per-Feed | Green frothy stools, gassy finish | Offer one side for a full block; switch next feed or later that day. |
| Paced Burping | Pulling off or arching | Burp every few minutes in upright or over-shoulder hold; gentle pats only. |
| Upright Hold After Feeds | Spit-ups or air swallows | Keep baby chest-to-chest 20–30 minutes before laying flat. |
| Evening Sensory Reset | Late-day meltdowns | Dim lights, steady white noise, slow rocking or a carrier walk. |
| Targeted Diet Trial | Allergy signs with crying | Only with clinician input; remove dairy for 2–3 weeks, then re-add to confirm. |
Practical Feeding Tweaks For Common Scenarios
- Sputtering at the breast and clicking sounds? Start in a laid-back pose, chin leading. Hand-express for a minute before latching.
- Green, frothy stools with gas? Offer the same side for a full block, then switch. Watch diapers and comfort for a week.
- Pulling off, arching, lots of air? Pause to burp often. Try side-lying to slow the flow.
- Sleepy baby snacking all evening? Aim for full, unrushed feeds and skin-to-skin rests between sessions.
- Suspected milk protein allergy signs? Call the pediatrician. Plan a short, supervised trial if advised, then re-challenge to confirm before any long diet change.
What Not To Do
- Don’t stop breastfeeding based on crying alone.
- Don’t start broad elimination diets without a plan.
- Don’t shake the baby. If you feel overwhelmed, lay baby down in a safe place and call a trusted person or your local helpline.
- Don’t chase ten fixes at once. Pick one, test for several days, and log changes.
Positions That Tame Fast Flow
A semi-reclined setup lets gravity help. Place baby’s body on yours, nose level with the nipple, chin touching first. Wait for a wide mouth, then bring baby in close. Side-lying feeds slow the stream and give your arms a rest. If a pump is handy, express a small amount before latching to take the edge off a forceful spray.
Burping Methods That Move Air
Use three holds. Over-shoulder with tummy pressure across your collarbone. Sitting on your lap with a gentle chin support. Face-down along your forearm with the head higher than the chest. Gentle pats and a slow sway work better than firm thumps.
Probiotic And Drops: What We Know
Several trials looked at the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in babies with colic. Breastfed infants showed shorter crying spans in a number of studies, while results in mixed-fed groups vary. Not all babies respond, yet this option appears on many pediatric shortlists. Check brands for the exact strain and dosing used in research, and ask your clinician before starting any product.
Elimination Diets: A Safe Way To Trial
Only run a trial if your clinician suspects cow’s-milk protein allergy. Plan a two-to-three-week dairy pause while you keep calories and calcium steady with swaps. If crying and gut signs ease, re-add dairy to confirm. If nothing changes, stop the trial and refuel your menu.
When Crying Mimics Colic But Isn’t
Some problems look like colic at first glance. Reflux disease brings back-arching and painful feeds. A hair wrapped on a toe can set off piercing cries. A hernia can cause a firm, tender groin bulge. Urine infections can appear in young infants. If your gut says something feels off, call your doctor and ask for a same-day check.
Key Takeaways You Can Use Right Now
Breastfeeding doesn’t cause colic. Keep nursing, adjust technique, and add calming routines. Seek care for red flags or stalled growth. Expect the peak near week six and relief by month four in most families.