Why Does My Baby Cry for Hours? Colic and the Witching Hour Explained for Indian Parents

If your baby screams inconsolably every evening and nothing you do seems to help, you're probably not doing anything wrong — you're most likely watching colic or the "witching hour," not a sign that something is medically wrong. Not medical advice — consult your pediatrician if you're ever unsure.

What Actually Counts as Colic

The NCBI StatPearls clinical reference states that colic is defined by the "rule of three": crying that lasts at least 3 hours a day, on 3 or more days a week, for more than 3 weeks, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and well-fed. If your baby's crying spells fit that pattern and they're feeding, sleeping, and gaining weight normally between episodes, this is what they're describing.

It also has a predictable timeline. The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) explains that this fussiness usually peaks at about 3 hours a day by 6 weeks of age, then eases to 1–2 hours a day by 3 to 4 months. So if you're in the thick of it at 5–6 weeks, the worst of it is a matter of weeks away, not months.

The hardest part for most parents — especially first-time parents without a grandparent or aunt in the house to hand the baby to at 7 p.m. — is the "why me" spiral. Cleveland Clinic explains that researchers don't actually know the exact reason babies get colic, and it has nothing to do with your parenting. Nothing about your feeding choice, your handling, or your household caused this.

The "Witching Hour" Has a Name

Many Indian parents describe a predictable evening meltdown as the "witching hour" — baby is fine most of the day, then falls apart between roughly 5 and 11 p.m. Cleveland Clinic describes this as part of a recognized developmental phase called the Period of PURPLE Crying, which usually starts around 2 weeks of age and ends around 3 to 5 months of age. It overlaps heavily with colic, and the same reassurance applies: it is a phase your baby is passing through, not a problem you need to fix.

When to Get It Checked Instead of Waiting It Out

Colic and the witching hour are diagnoses of exclusion — you lean on them once illness has been ruled out. The NHS advises contacting a GP or health visitor if your baby isn't gaining weight as expected, or still has colic-like symptoms after 4 months of age. Either of those means it's time to get baby examined rather than continuing to wait it out.

Some signs need same-day medical attention, not a routine check-up. HealthyChildren.org's pediatric symptom checker flags a fever in a baby younger than 12 weeks old, or nonstop inconsolable crying lasting more than 2 hours, as red flags that call for urgent medical care rather than being written off as ordinary colic. If either happens, call your pediatrician immediately or head to the emergency room — don't wait for the crying to "just pass."

Do Probiotic Drops or Gripe Water Actually Help?

Pharmacy shelves in India are full of colic drops, and it's worth knowing what the evidence actually says before you spend money on them.

For breastfed babies, there's real signal. A systematic review in NCBI/PMC found that in exclusively breastfed babies with colic, the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri significantly and progressively shortened daily crying time compared with placebo — though the same review notes the evidence for formula-fed infants remains unresolved, so it isn't a guaranteed fix for every baby.

Simethicone-based anti-gas drops, one of the most commonly sold "colic drops" in Indian pharmacies, don't hold up as well. A systematic review (NCBI Bookshelf / DARE) found that the pooled effect size of simethicone treatment was not significant compared with placebo. Talk to your pediatrician before starting any drop or supplement — don't assume a product marketed for colic has been proven to work.

Gripe water doesn't hold up either, and it comes with its own catch. Cleveland Clinic explains that gripe water isn't regulated by the FDA, and research doesn't support its use — because it's sold as a supplement rather than a medicine, there's no guarantee about what's actually in the bottle or that it's been tested for safety.

One category is worth actively avoiding rather than just skipping: antispasmodic drops containing dicyclomine, sold in India under various colic-drop brand names. The FDA-approved drug label (via DailyMed/NIH) states that dicyclomine is contraindicated in infants under 6 months old, with reports linking it to serious respiratory symptoms including apnea, as well as seizures and coma. Check the label of anything sold as a "colic drop" before giving it to a baby under 6 months, and when in doubt, ask a pharmacist or pediatrician what's actually in it.

What to Do When You Feel Like You Can't Take It Anymore

This is the part nobody prepares you for: the crying doesn't just test the baby, it tests you, especially at 9 p.m. on a night when your partner is traveling for work and there's no one else in the house. This is exactly the moment to have a plan ready before you're in it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) advises that because frustration with persistent crying is a leading trigger for shaking a baby, a caregiver who feels overwhelmed should place the baby in a safe place — such as a crib or playpen, on their back, without blankets or stuffed toys — and leave the room and let the baby cry alone for about 10 to 15 minutes. That short break, taken deliberately, is a legitimate and recommended response, not a failure.

Coping With the Witching Hour Without Family Nearby

A lot of the advice aimed at Indian parents assumes a grandmother is around to take a shift. If that's not your setup — you're a couple managing this alone in a city apartment — a few adjustments help:

• Split the evening into shifts ahead of time. One parent covers 5–8 p.m., the other covers 8–11 p.m., so neither person is on duty for the entire stretch every single night.
• Movement over stillness. Walking, gentle bouncing, or a short stroller loop around the building often settles a colicky baby faster than sitting and rocking in place.
• Lower the stimulation before the window starts. Dim the lights and cut down on visitors or video calls in the hour before the usual crying window — a calmer lead-in sometimes shortens the episode.
• Use the 10–15 minute reset for yourself too. If you're both at your limit, it's fine to put the baby down safely for a few minutes and regroup, even if a feed or nappy change is due — the baby will be safe waiting a few minutes more than you will be functional if you push through exhausted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will this last? Crying from colic typically peaks around 6 weeks of age and eases substantially by 3 to 4 months. The Period of PURPLE Crying follows a similar arc, usually ending by 3 to 5 months.

Did I cause this by doing something wrong? No. Cleveland Clinic is clear that researchers don't know the exact cause of colic, and it has nothing to do with your parenting.

When do I actually need to call the doctor? The NHS recommends calling if your baby isn't gaining weight as expected, or colic symptoms haven't eased by 4 months. HealthyChildren.org's symptom checker says a fever under 12 weeks of age or over 2 hours of nonstop inconsolable crying needs urgent care the same day.

Are colic drops worth buying? The evidence is mixed. Probiotic drops containing Lactobacillus reuteri have shown a real benefit for exclusively breastfed babies, but simethicone anti-gas drops have not shown a significant effect over placebo in trials. Check with your pediatrician before buying either.

What if I feel like I'm about to lose my patience? That feeling is common and it's exactly what the safety guidance is for. Put the baby down safely and step out of the room for 10–15 minutes to calm down before going back in. It is always safer than continuing to hold a crying baby while you're at your limit.