How to Soothe a Colicky Baby at Night: 9 Things That Actually Help
If your baby’s crying ramps up every evening, you’re seeing one of colic’s most common patterns — it often peaks in the late afternoon and night, around 6 weeks of age. It is exhausting, but it is temporary, and these gentle steps help many families get through the hardest hours.
1. Start the wind-down before the crying starts
Dim the lights and lower the noise in the hour before the usual fussy window. A calmer environment gives an overstimulated baby less to react to.
2. Use motion
Rocking, a slow walk in a baby carrier, or gentle bouncing combines movement with closeness, which many babies find reassuring.
3. Try the tummy hold
Lay your baby face-down across your forearm or lap and gently rub their back. Light pressure on the tummy can be soothing and helps gas move.
4. Add white noise
A white-noise machine, fan, or even a vacuum mimics the constant sound of the womb and can settle crying.
5. Warm bath
A warm bath before bed relaxes a tense little body and signals that the day is winding down.
6. Pace feedings and burp often
Feeding too fast can trap air. Slow things down and burp thoroughly partway through and after each feed.
7. Swaddle
A snug swaddle helps younger babies feel secure and reduces the startle reflex that breaks sleep.
8. Skin-to-skin
Holding your baby against your chest steadies their breathing and heart rate — and calms you, too.
9. Offer a warm, caffeine-free herbal tea
Chamomile and fennel are herbs traditionally used to soothe gas and fussiness. Babies Magic Tea is a USDA Organic, caffeine-free blend of both, gentle enough to use from birth. Many parents make it part of the evening routine.
For a full walkthrough of what causes colic and what helps, see our baby colic relief guide, or browse the whole organic baby tea collection.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your pediatrician before giving herbal tea to an infant, and seek medical advice if crying comes with fever, vomiting, or a change in behavior.
