Colic and your baby’s Sleep: A gentle perspective from a Holistic Sleep Coach

As a gentle sleep consultant, I often speak with exhausted parents who are doing their very best, but still feel overwhelmed by two major early parenting challenges: colic and sleep struggles. If your baby is crying for long stretches and finding it hard to settle or sleep, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not doing anything wrong.

In this blog, I want to explain what colic is, how it impacts sleep and what you can do to support your little one through this intense season with compassion, responsiveness and realistic expectations.

Colic is generally described as excessive, intense crying in a healthy baby – typically lasting more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks. It often begins in the first few weeks of life and tends to peak around six weeks before gradually improving.

But it’s important to understand that colic isn’t a medical diagnosis – it’s a term used to describe a pattern of crying and fussiness. There can be many reasons behind it, including digestive discomfort, overstimulation or simply a baby’s immature nervous system trying to adapt to life outside the womb. What’s more, some babies cry more as part of their individual temperament. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong – it just means they may need more support to regulate and settle.

How colic affects sleep

Colic often impacts a baby’s ability to settle and sleep, especially during the late afternoon or evening, which many parents know as the “witching hour.” When babies are overtired, their crying can intensify, making it even harder for them to calm down and sleep well. It’s a cycle that can feel endless – but it won’t last forever.

Common sleep struggles with colicky babies include:

• Short or skipped naps

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Frequent night waking

• Crying or resisting when placed in their sleep space

These sleep challenges are tough but also very normal, especially during the first few months of life.

Gently supporting sleep through colic

Here’s how I guide families through this phase using a responsive, connection-based approach to sleep:

1. Focus on comfort and soothing

During the newborn stage, comfort is more important than structure. Holding, rocking, feeding to sleep, and babywearing are not “bad habits” – they’re supportive ways to help your baby regulate their emotions. These strategies are not only okay, but they’re also often essential during this time.  

2. Create a simple, calm bedtime routine

A gentle bedtime rhythm can help signal sleep without pressure. Think of it as a wind-down rather than a fixed routine: a warm bath, low lights, skin-to-skin time or soft music can all help calm an overstimulated baby.

3. Work with your baby’s natural rhythms

Instead of rigid scheduling, I encourage parents to tune into their baby’s cues and follow flexible rhythms. In the early weeks, sleep patterns are still emerging. Trust that your baby will settle into more predictable patterns with time and support.

4. Feed Responsively and Look for Digestive Clues

Sometimes, adjusting feeding techniques—like offering smaller, more frequent feeds or using slow-flow bottle nipples—can ease discomfort. If breastfeeding, some parents choose to explore potential sensitivities in their diet. Always check with a healthcare professional before making big changes and trust your instincts if something feels off.

5. Care for yourself, too

Caring for a colicky baby is emotionally draining. It’s okay to feel exhausted, frustrated or unsure. Reach out for help when you need it. Whether that’s a break from a partner, support from family or speaking to a professional – you deserve support, too.

When to speak with a healthcare professional

If your baby isn’t gaining weight, shows signs of pain or cries inconsolably for long periods with no relief, always reach out to your GP or health visitor. Sometimes, underlying medical concerns like reflux or allergies need to be ruled out. But if your baby is healthy, growing, and simply crying more than expected – it may be down to their temperament or simply adjusting to the world.

Final thoughts

Colic and sleep struggles are incredibly hard, but temporary. You don’t need to fix your baby or teach them to be independent overnight. They need closeness, comfort and consistency. By supporting them gently through this intense phase, you’re laying the foundation for restful sleep in the future – and nurturing your connection along the way. You're doing a wonderful job, even on the days that feel impossible!

As a baby sleep consultant in Surrey, I work with many families who are experiencing unsettled nights, and together we look at the whole picture: sleep, feeding, development, environment and emotional wellbeing, to gently explore whether there may be any underlying causes and how best to support your baby in a responsive, nurturing way.

If you’re finding it hard to navigate these early months and would like some support, book a discovery call with me today.