Colic is no longer a medical term and should not be used.

The term “colic” is now considered outdated and potentially misleading, as it suggests a gut-related cause for excessive crying when no single cause has been proven. Many experts recommend using clearer terms such as “excessive crying” or “unsettled infant behaviour,” which focus on the symptoms rather than assumptions. 

For practical advice and support, please see iHV Good Practice Point on Crying and signpost to trusted resources like ICON – Infant crying is normal.  

For concerns about childhood illnesses, please refer to Childhood illnesses.