Differences Between “Fussy” and “Colicky” Babies

The point at which a fussy baby (one who cries a lot) or a “high-need baby” (one who fusses unless he’s held a lot) becomes a colicky baby (one who hurts a lot) is often a matter of interpretation. What you call your baby’s behavior isn’t as important as what you do about it. In my pediatric practice, I’ve found it helpful to use the term “high-need baby” when I suspect it’s the baby’s temperament that’s causing his behavior, and “hurting baby” when I suspect a medical reason for it. Colicky babies don’t just fuss; they hurt. They shriek in agonizing discomfort. Colic calls for a more intensive approach. As one mother in our practice said, “Our daughter, now thirteen months, was the queen of colic. She’d start at three o’clock and cry non-stop until about midnight. When she wasn’t colicky, she was just plain high-need. There IS a difference. “High-need” responds to lots of holding and comforting; almost nothing works for colic.”