[4] The crying can result in frustration of the parents, depression following delivery, excess visits to the doctor, and child abuse.

[1] Tentative evidence supports certain probiotics for the baby and a low-allergen diet by the mother in those who are breastfed.

[9] By contrast, infants normally cry an average of just over two hours a day, with the duration peaking at six weeks.

[1] Associated symptoms may include legs pulled up to the stomach, a flushed face, clenched hands, and a wrinkled brow.

[9] An infant with colic may affect family stability and be a cause of short-term anxiety or depression in the father and mother.

[10] Persistent infant crying has been associated with severe marital discord, postpartum depression, early termination of breastfeeding, frequent visits to doctors, a quadrupling of laboratory tests, and prescription of medication for acid reflux.

[9] Parent training programs for managing infantile colic may result in a reduction in crying time.

[9] Another theory holds that colic is related to hyperperistalsis of the digestive tube (increased level of activity of contraction and relaxation).

Studies performed do not support the theory that maternal (or paternal) personality or anxiety causes colic, nor that it is a consequence of a difficult temperament of the baby, but families with colicky children may eventually develop anxiety, fatigue and problems with family functioning as a result.

[17] Cause for concern include: an elevated temperature, a history of breathing problems or a child who is not appropriately gaining weight.

[9] Indications that further investigations may be needed include:[18] Problems to consider when the above are present include:[18] Persistently fussy babies with poor weight gain, vomiting more than five times a day, or other significant feeding problems should be evaluated for other illnesses (e.g. urinary infection, intestinal obstruction, acid reflux).

[9] Calming measures may be used and include soothing motions, limiting stimulation, pacifier use, and carrying the baby around in a carrier,[9] although it is not entirely clear if these actions have any effect beyond placebo.

[10] A 2018 Cochrane review of 15 randomized controlled trials involving 1,121 infants was unable to recommend any dietary interventions.

[30] Little clinical evidence supports the efficacy of "gripe water" and caution in use is needed, especially in formulations that include alcohol or sugar.

[20] The use of probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus reuteri, decreases crying time at three weeks by 46 minutes in breastfeed babies but has unclear effects in those who are formula fed.