What to Know About Colic

Parents of newborns know there's no shortage of challenges when caring for an infant. Colic is one potential challenge that can be particularly daunting.

The Cleveland Clinic characterizes colic as intense crying that lasts for more than three hours per day, at least three days a week and for more than three weeks. When a baby experiences colic, parents may feel hopeless and frustrated. But it's important that parents recognize colic is not a permanent problem.

The Cleveland Clinic notes colic can appear within weeks of a child's birth and peak between four and six weeks of age. Though it can last until a child is between three and four months old, colic tends to end abruptly.