It is 6 PM, and right on schedule, your sweet baby starts screaming. You have tried feeding, rocking, and bouncing on that exercise ball until your legs ache.
Nothing is working. You are exhausted, frustrated, and probably fighting back tears yourself. Your coffee has been cold since 9 AM, and you are running on just a couple of hours of sleep.
The truth? You are doing amazing, and it is not your fault. When you are desperately Googling trying to understand a colic vs reflux baby, the answers can be super confusing.
The information in this article is based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
We are going to break down exactly what is happening in your baby’s body, so you can finally get them some relief and catch your breath.
Table of Contents
Colic vs Reflux Baby: Trusting Your Mama Instincts
Many moms get told it is just colic when it is actually reflux or a dairy intolerance. You might leave the pediatrician’s office feeling brushed off or unheard.
This happens all the time, and it is incredibly frustrating for exhausted parents. If you feel in your gut that your baby is in true physical pain, trust your instincts.
You know your baby’s cries better than anyone else in the world. A doctor sees your baby for fifteen minutes, but you are with them every single second of the day.
Sometimes “colic” is used as a generic label when doctors aren’t exactly sure why a baby is so upset. But finding the real root cause can save you weeks of stress.
If your doctor insists it is just a colic vs reflux baby phase but won’t listen to your concerns, it is always okay to get a second opinion.
What Is the Witching Hour?
Let’s start with the most common evening struggle. The witching hour usually hits right when you are trying to make dinner — between 5 PM and 11 PM.
During this time, your baby might fuss, cluster feed, and seem completely impossible to settle. They might want to nurse every twenty minutes, only to pull off and cry.
This is not a medical issue, even though it feels incredibly intense in the moment. It is actually a very normal developmental phase that most infants go through.
It happens because your baby’s brand-new nervous system is simply overloaded. They have spent nine months in a dark, quiet, warm womb. Now, all the sights, sounds, and bright lights of the whole day have finally caught up with them.
They are overstimulated, overtired, and they just don’t know how to calm their own bodies down yet.
How to Help With Witching Hour
- Lower the lights and turn off the TV to reduce visual stimulation
- Skin-to-skin contact in a quiet, dark room works wonders for an overstimulated nervous system
- Take them outside for a few minutes — a breath of fresh air can act like a reset button
- Try a warm bath to break the cycle of crying and help them relax before bedtime
Understanding Colic: The Rule of 3s
True colic is a bit different than regular evening fussiness. Doctors usually diagnose it using something called the “rule of threes.”
This means your baby cries for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for over three weeks — and they are otherwise completely healthy and growing well.
Colic crying is usually very intense, high-pitched, and piercing. Your baby might tightly clench their tiny fists and pull their legs up to their tummy. This makes a lot of parents think it is a gas issue — but gas drops alone usually don’t cure true colic.
What Actually Helps Colic
Motion and sound are your best friends. A snug swaddle, gentle swinging, and loud rumbly white noise can recreate the familiar feeling of the womb.
For more step-by-step soothing techniques, our newborn crying at night guide walks through everything that actually works during those long evenings.
Colic vs Reflux Baby: Spotting the Acid Reflux Signs
Here is where things get really tricky. Reflux happens when the contents of your baby’s stomach flow backward into their esophagus. This acidic milk burns their little throat — just like severe heartburn does for adults.
A baby with reflux will often cry wildly during or right after a feeding. You might notice:
- Aggressively pulling off the bottle or breast
- Arching their back stiffly like a bow when in pain
- Sour-smelling breath, constant wet burps, or frequent hiccups
- Trouble sleeping flat on their back
Silent Reflux — The Hidden One
Many babies have “silent reflux.” This means they swallow the acid before it even comes out of their mouth. No mess on your shirt — but still intense burning and pain for your baby.
If your baby hates lying flat on their back, silent reflux might be the hidden culprit.
How to Soothe a Baby With Reflux
- Keep your baby upright for at least 20 to 30 minutes after every feed
- Burp them frequently during feeds — every ounce or two
- Feed in a more upright position
- If pain is severe, your pediatrician might recommend a gentle antacid
Could It Be a Dairy Intolerance (CMPA)?
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) is an issue that is very often missed by doctors. It happens when your baby’s tummy cannot break down the proteins found in cow’s milk — causing severe inflammation and pain.
CMPA mimics colic perfectly, but watch for these extra clues:
- Mucousy or green, slimy poop in their diaper
- Tiny red specks of blood in their stool
- Persistent eczema rash on their face, chest, or behind their knees
- Extreme gassiness and foul-smelling wind
If you are formula feeding, ask your doctor about switching to a hypoallergenic formula. If you are breastfeeding, try cutting all dairy from your own diet — it can take two weeks to fully clear both your systems.
Quick Checklist: Colic vs Reflux vs Witching Hour
| Witching Hour | Colic | Reflux | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When it happens | 5–11 PM only | Same time daily | During/after feeds |
| How long | Peaks at 6 weeks | 3+ hours, 3+ days | Ongoing |
| Key signs | Overstimulated, fussy | Fist clenching, legs pulled up | Back arching, spit-up |
| Goes away | By 3–4 months | By 3–4 months | Needs treatment |
| What helps | Dark room, fresh air, bath | 5 S’s, white noise | Upright feeding, burping |
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Most newborn crying is completely normal — but call your doctor right away if:
- Crying lasts more than 2 hours straight and nothing works
- Your baby has a fever
- They are refusing to eat for multiple feeds in a row
- They seem oddly sleepy or lethargic
- You notice blood in their stool
- They are not gaining weight on track
- Vomiting is projectile — shooting across the room
A good doctor will never make you feel silly for checking on your baby. When in doubt, call.
You Are Going to Get Through This
Getting through these long, loud evenings is honestly one of the hardest parts of being a new parent. It is always okay to put the baby down safely in their crib for five minutes if you need to step away and breathe.
Whether you are dealing with a fussy evening phase or trying to figure out a colic vs reflux baby — things will get easier. Use our newborn cry decoder to help identify what your baby needs in the moment.
You and your baby are going to get through this together. Hang in there, mama. 💛
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my baby has colic or reflux?
Pay attention to when the crying happens. Reflux crying usually occurs during or right after feeding, with the baby arching their back in discomfort. Colic crying is an intense, unexplained spell that happens at the same time every day regardless of feeds.
What does witching hour feel like?
Your normally happy baby seems upset with everything. They may want to nurse constantly but pull off and cry. The extreme fussiness always seems to hit as the sun goes down, and only constant movement seems to help.
Can colic be mistaken for reflux?
Yes, very often. Many babies are diagnosed with colic simply because they cry a lot. But if the real cause is acid reflux or dairy intolerance, traditional colic soothing methods won’t fix the root problem.
What helps colic in newborns?
Recreating the womb feeling works best. Use the 5 S’s: swaddle, side or stomach position (only while awake and supervised), shush, swing, and suck (pacifier). Consistent white noise and motion are your best tools.
When does witching hour end?
The witching hour usually peaks around 6 weeks old and slowly improves after that. It typically disappears entirely by 3 to 4 months.
Written by S.A., founder of NewbornCry.com. Learn more about me here.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician with any concerns about your baby’s health.