It’s 6 PM. You’ve fed, changed, bounced, shushed, and swayed, but your baby is still crying—loudly, intensely, and seemingly without reason. You might be thinking: “Is this colic?” But before you assume the worst, let’s talk about a very common (and often overlooked) culprit—overtiredness.
Colic is traditionally defined by the “Rule of Threes”: crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or longer, in an otherwise healthy baby. It typically peaks around 6 weeks of age and tends to resolve on its own by 3 to 4 months.
But here’s the thing—many babies who seem colicky are actually just really overtired. Newborns have incredibly short wake windows, sometimes just 45 minutes to an hour, and once they pass that threshold, their little bodies fill with cortisol, making it harder to fall—and stay—asleep. Cue the crying.
Overtiredness often shows up in the late afternoon or early evening, right around the infamous “witching hour.” Your baby might appear inconsolable, arch their back, resist feeding, or pass out mid-cry from sheer exhaustion. If they finally fall asleep after a bit of rocking or motion, that’s a big clue that sleep—not pain—was the missing piece.
To prevent the overtired spiral, keep an eye on wake windows, especially in the early months. Aim for short stretches between naps and watch for sleepy cues like red eyebrows, zoning out, or rubbing eyes. Create a calm pre-nap and bedtime routine (even if it’s just a few minutes long), and make the sleep environment as soothing as possible—dark, cool, and quiet.
If you’re still unsure whether it’s colic or overtiredness, start tracking. A simple log of when your baby sleeps, eats, and cries can reveal helpful patterns. And of course, if your baby’s cries feel off, or if your gut says something’s wrong, always check in with your pediatrician.
The bottom line? While colic does exist, many so-called colicky babies are simply overstimulated and overtired. And the good news? That’s something you can support and improve—with rest, rhythm, and a little Baby Sleep School magic.
