No, infant colic is not considered hereditary. If you or your partner had colic as a baby, it doesn't mean your child will necessarily have it. It's perfectly understandable to search for an explanation when your little baby cries a lot. But colic is not a sign that you've done something wrong or passed something on to your child.

What is known about colic and heredity?

The cause of infant colic is not fully understood. Colic describes a period of frequent and often unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy infant who is thriving and gaining weight. Although some families experience several siblings being very restless as infants, there is no evidence to suggest that colic is inherited in the same way as a hereditary disease.

Researchers continue to investigate whether the infant's immature nervous system, digestion, sensitivity to sensory impressions, and other early-life factors may play a role. There are also studies on connections between, for example, migraines in the family and colic, but a correlation is not the same as colic being hereditary or predictable.

Dear, the most important thing to remember is this: You cannot look at your family history and know if your child will get colic.

What is infant colic?

Infant colic is a term for prolonged, repetitive crying spells in a child who otherwise seems healthy. It often begins in the first weeks of life, typically peaks around one and a half months of age, and gradually subsides for most around 3-4 months.

During a crying spell, the child may seem difficult to comfort. Some children pull up their legs, tense their bodies, have gas, or sleep restlessly. It can look severe, and it can be incredibly exhausting for a parent to endure.

• Colic is not your fault.
• Colic does not mean that you cannot comfort or understand your child well enough.
• Colic usually resolves on its own.
• You should always ask for help, even if your child is gaining weight well and otherwise seems healthy.

Can you prevent colic?

Since there isn't one definitive cause of colic, there isn't a method that can definitively prevent it. This also means you shouldn't place the blame on yourself, your diet, your breastfeeding, or your way of interacting with the baby.

Instead, you can focus on creating as much calm and support around yourselves as possible. Some babies settle more easily with close skin-to-skin contact, gentle movement, subdued stimuli, or by being allowed to burp during and after a meal. What works one day may not work the next, and that's perfectly normal.

1. Distribute breaks between yourselves if there are two adults caring for the child.
2. Accept help with practical tasks so you can rest, eat, and shower.
3. Place the child in a safe spot on their back if you feel overwhelmed, and step away for a moment to breathe.
4. Talk to your health visitor or GP so you don't have to carry your worries alone.

When should you seek help?

Although colic itself is harmless, a child who cries a lot should always be assessed based on their overall well-being. Contact a doctor or health visitor if your child won't eat, vomits repeatedly, seems lethargic, has fewer wet nappies than usual, isn't gaining weight, or if your gut feeling tells you something isn't right.

You should also reach out if the crying is significantly affecting you or your household. Prolonged crying can wear down even the most loving and patient parent. Needing relief is not a sign of weakness; it's caring for both yourself and your child.

Frequently asked questions

Is colic genetic?

No, infant colic is not considered genetic or hereditary. Many factors can be involved, but colic cannot be predicted based on family history.

If my first child had colic, will my next child also have colic?

No, not necessarily. Siblings can be very different, and a child with colic doesn't mean the next child will have the same experience.

Is colic a sign that the baby is in pain?

Babies with colic can seem very uncomfortable during crying spells, but colic is seen in children who are otherwise healthy and thriving. If you are unsure whether there might be another cause for the crying, contact a professional.

When does colic go away?

For most, the crying begins to subside around 3-4 months of age. In the midst of it, time can feel very long, but the colic period will pass. You are not alone, and you deserve support along the way.