Natural Relief for Infant Colic: What Colic Is, What Causes It, & How to Choose Between Col-Icky™ and TummEase™

Colic exceeds normal infant fussiness—it’s crying that lasts for more than 3 hours a day at least 3 days a week for 3 weeks or more in a baby who is otherwise thriving. The crying usually comes in predictable patterns, often appearing in late afternoons or evenings, and may be accompanied by clenched fists, arched back, or pulling up of the legs (1).

While colic eventually resolves on its own, that doesn’t make it any easier for the exhausted, anxious, and sleep-deprived families living through it. Thankfully, there are some gentle, natural ways to support your baby’s comfort and bring a little more peace to everyone.

The truth? We don’t know for sure.

There is no single known cause of colic, and in many cases, trial and error is necessary to find what works best for each individual baby. That said, several common contributors to infant colic may include (1):

• An immature digestive system
• Gut microbiome imbalance
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Overstimulation or sensory sensitivity
• Stress in the family environment
• Early signs of infant migraine or nervous system dysregulation

Because the gut, brain, and immune system are deeply connected (through what we call the gut-brain axis), colic is likely a result of overlapping factors. In my practice, I take a whole-baby approach: supporting digestion, calming the nervous system, and nurturing the family environment.

To learn more about my approach to infant colic, read this article: Natural Treatment of Infant Colic

When it comes to soothing a colicky baby, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That being said, herbal remedies have been used to support colicky babies for generations. Some little ones respond best to calming herbs that ease tension, gas, or cramping, while others benefit more from herbs that support the lining of the digestive tract or support the inflammatory response. That’s why I have two distinct yet complementary herbal formulas available for little ones: Col-Icky™ and TummEase™. Here’s how to know which might be right for your baby.

TummEase™ is a broader GI support formula that includes not just digestive herbs but also demulcents that help calm irritated tissue in the gut and herbs that support a healthy inflammatory response. This remedy is safe for infants and was formulated with kids in mind. As with Col-Icky™, dosing starts at 10 lbs.  

Best For: Sensitive or irritated tummies, gut repair

Key Ingredients: 

• Organic Fennel Seed – provides gas relief and digestive support
• Organic Lemon Balm Aerial Parts – promotes soothing and calming
• Organic Marshmallow Root – coats and calms the digestive tract
• Organic Slippery Elm Bark – forms a protective barrier in the GI lining
• Organic Turmeric Root – supports a healthy inflammatory response
• Organic Ginger Root – reduces bloating and discomfort

TummEase™ is often used when a baby has reflux, food sensitivities, or signs of gut irritation or fussiness related to feeding. It’s also a great option for digestive symptoms in older babies, toddlers, and school aged children.

How to use: Use the included dropper to give TummEase™ directly or mix with breast milk/formula. Always follow age-appropriate dosing as listed on the bottle.

Yes—and many families do so with great results… But it is important to be mindful of dosing guidelines.

Because Col-Icky™ and TummEase™ follow the same dosing schedule based on your baby’s weight, combining them is quite straightforward. You just need to make sure the total number of drops per day—across both products—doesn’t go over the daily limit listed on one of the bottles.

Example: 

If the bottle says your baby should get 10 drops per day based on their weight, that means:

• You can give 5 drops of Col-Icky™ and 5 drops of TummEase™
• Or 7 drops of Col-Icky™ and 3 drops of TummEase™  
• Or 10 drops of just one formula, if that’s what your baby needs most that day

The key is this: no matter how you split it, the total combined number of drops from both products should not go over the daily dose listed on a single product label for your baby’s weight.

If you’re ever unsure, reach out to your healthcare provider or our support team for personalized guidance.

To learn more about supplement dosage for kids, read this article: How To Calculate Supplement Dosages For Kids 

One of the best-researched interventions for colic is probiotic therapy. While probiotics may not prevent colic, studies have shown they reduce crying time (2).

Infant safe probiotics can be mixed into breast milk/formula or swiped around the nipple if breastfeeding. Always talk to your provider before starting a new supplement.

Some babies react to foods that pass through breast milk, and in some cases, these reactions may contribute to colic-like symptoms.

Babies with true food allergies often have more intense symptoms. They may:

• Cry for long stretches throughout the day and night
• Have mucus or visible blood in their stool
• Develop skin issues like eczema, hives, or rashes

Babies with food sensitivities tend to have milder but still very uncomfortable symptoms, such as:

• Gas and bloating
• Fussiness after feeding
• Loose or frequent stools
• Mild skin irritation

If food-related colic is suspected, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• A trial elimination diet for breastfeeding mothers, usually removing common triggers like dairy, soy, or wheat for 1–2 weeks
• A switch to a hypoallergenic or hydrolyzed formula if your baby is formula-fed
• The use of gut supporting herbs and/or probiotics.

If symptoms improve, the suspected foods can be reintroduced one at a time to identify the culprit. This helps avoid unnecessary long-term dietary restrictions for the breastfeeding parent.

• Pediatric chiropractic or craniosacral therapy can often be helpful.
• Techniques like white noise, warm baths, gentle massage, and swaddling can also help calm an overstimulated baby.

It’s important to acknowledge how hard colic is for parents. Persistent crying can increase the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety (3), while maternal stress may also contribute to baby’s distress (4). It’s a cycle worth interrupting with support, compassion, and resources for the whole family.

To learn more about postpartum mood, read these articles:

• Identifying and Managing Postpartum Depression
• Understanding and Managing Postpartum Anxiety
• Postpartum Depression in Dads

Colic is a common but complex condition marked by excessive unexplained crying in otherwise healthy infants. While it often resolves on its own, it can be distressing for both babies and parents. Natural remedies like Col-Icky™ (for gas and cramping) and TummEase™ (for gut repair and sensitivities) can provide meaningful relief. These remedies can be safely combined as long as you don’t exceed the total daily dose listed on the bottle. Additional support through probiotics, dietary adjustments, manual therapies, and emotional care for parents can make a big difference during this challenging time.

References:

1. Banks JB, Rouster AS, Chee J. Infantile Colic. [Updated 2023 Oct 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518962/

2. Sung V, Collett S, de Gooyer T, Hiscock H, Tang M, Wake M. Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2013 Dec;167(12):1150-7. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2572. PMID: 24100440.

3. de Barbaro K, Micheletti M, Yao X, Khante P, Johnson M, Goodman S. Infant crying predicts real-time fluctuations in maternal mental health in ecologically valid home settings. Dev Psychol. 2023 Apr;59(4):733-744. doi: 10.1037/dev0001530. Epub 2023 Feb 27. PMID: 36848043; PMCID: PMC10057632.

4. Kinsella MT, Monk C. Impact of maternal stress, depression and anxiety on fetal neurobehavioral development. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep;52(3):425-40. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181b52df1. PMID: 19661759; PMCID: PMC3710585.