Baby Colic Help in Treherbert | NHS Pharmacy Advice

If you need baby colic help in Treherbert, Treherbert Pharmacy can assess your baby through the NHS Wales Common Ailments Service.

Infantile colic is recurrent, prolonged crying or fussing without an obvious cause in a young baby who otherwise appears healthy and is growing normally. It often starts in the first few weeks of life and is commonly worse in the late afternoon or evening.

Eligible NHS assessment and advice are free. Current Welsh guidance recommends reassurance, practical soothing measures and referral where needed rather than anti-colic medicines. You can book directly without a GP referral, but your baby should attend so the pharmacist can check that routine pharmacy care is suitable.

Choose an NHS appointment if you would like help with this condition. The pharmacist will assess whether treatment is suitable or whether you need another service.

What is infantile colic?

Colic is the name used for repeated, prolonged periods of crying, fussing or irritability in a baby when there is no obvious cause and the baby otherwise appears well and thriving. Between episodes, a baby with colic will usually settle, feed and gain weight as expected.

The exact cause is not known. Symptoms commonly begin during the first few weeks of life, improve by around 3 to 4 months and usually resolve by 5 to 6 months. Persistent or worsening symptoms can have another cause and should be reassessed.

Signs parents and carers often notice

• Long crying episodes: crying may last for several hours and can be difficult to soothe.
• A repeated pattern: episodes often happen in the late afternoon or evening.
• Body movements: the baby may draw their knees towards their tummy or arch their back while crying.
• Clenched fists or a red face: these can happen during an episode.
• Wind or a rumbling tummy: babies may pass wind, although this can also result from swallowing air while crying.
• Normal periods between episodes: the baby should otherwise appear well, feed normally and continue to gain weight.

Can Treherbert Pharmacy help with baby colic?

Yes. Infantile colic is included in the NHS Wales Common Ailments Service. The pharmacist can assess the crying pattern, check whether your baby appears well and thriving, provide practical advice and identify symptoms that need a different healthcare route.

No medicine is routinely recommended or supplied for infantile colic through this pathway. The current All Wales formulary recommends advice, support and onward referral where appropriate.

What happens during your consultation?

1. 1
   Private assessment. You and your baby will normally be seen in a private consultation room at Treherbert Pharmacy.
2. 2
   Crying and feeding review. The pharmacist will ask when the crying started, when it happens, how long it lasts and whether it is linked to feeds.
3. 3
   Suitability and safety checks. Feeding, vomiting, bowel movements, wet nappies, temperature, weight gain, current medicines and warning signs will be considered.
4. 4
   Practical advice and support. The pharmacist can discuss feeding position, winding, soothing techniques and ways for parents and carers to get rest and support.
5. 5
   Clear next steps. You will be told what to monitor, when to contact a health visitor or GP, and when NHS 111 Wales or emergency care is needed.

What information may the pharmacist ask about?

• Your baby’s age, birth history and whether they were born prematurely.
• When the crying began, how often it happens, how long it lasts and whether it follows a pattern.
• Whether your baby settles between episodes and whether their cry sounds normal for them.
• Breastfeeding or formula feeding, feeding position, winding and any difficulty feeding.
• Vomiting, bowel movements, wet nappies, temperature and recent weight gain.
• Any medical conditions, medicines, allergies and advice already received from a midwife, health visitor or GP.
• Which remedies or soothing measures you have tried and how the crying is affecting you and your family.

When our pharmacist independent prescriber may be able to help

If the symptoms do not fit uncomplicated infantile colic, but your baby has no urgent warning signs, our pharmacist independent prescriber may be able to carry out a broader assessment. This may be relevant when the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms are persistent, crying appears linked to feeds, or reflux, constipation or another cause needs to be considered.

A prescription is not routinely appropriate for colic itself. Treatment would only be considered if another condition is identified and it is clinically appropriate. Depending on your baby’s age and symptoms, the safest next step may instead be a health visitor, GP, NHS 111 Wales or paediatric assessment.

Find out about our independent prescribing service

When you should seek urgent medical help

Do not assume persistent crying is colic when your baby appears unwell. Trust your instincts if something seems seriously wrong.

Contact your GP or NHS 111 Wales promptly if

• You are worried about the crying, none of the soothing measures are helping or you are finding it hard to cope.
• Your baby is not feeding well, is not growing or gaining weight as expected, or the symptoms are severe or worsening.
• Your baby is over 4 months old and the symptoms are not improving.
• A baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or a baby aged 3 to 6 months has a temperature of 39°C or higher.

Go to A&E or call 999 if your baby

• Has a weak, high-pitched or unusual cry, or seems floppy when picked up.
• Turns blue, blotchy, very pale or has breathing difficulty, rapid breathing or grunting.
• Has a seizure, a bulging soft spot, green vomit, blood in their poo or repeated projectile vomiting.
• Has a high temperature with cold hands and feet, or a purple-red rash that does not fade under pressure.
• Is under 8 weeks old and does not want to feed.

Ways to soothe your baby and support yourself

• Hold or cuddle your baby and try gentle rocking or movement.
• Keep your baby upright during feeds and wind them during and after feeding.
• Try a warm bath or gentle background noise if your baby finds this calming.
• Continue feeding as usual. Do not change breastfeeding diet or infant formula solely for colic unless a healthcare professional advises it.
• Ask family or friends for help, rest whenever possible and speak to your health visitor if you need support.
• If the crying becomes overwhelming, place your baby safely in their cot and step away for a few minutes to calm yourself. Never shake a baby.

Anti-colic drops, lactase drops, probiotics, herbal remedies, formula changes and manipulative treatments are not recommended for routine infantile colic because good-quality evidence of benefit is lacking.

Free NHS colic assessment and advice

The NHS Wales Common Ailments Service provides a free pharmacist consultation for eligible patients. For infantile colic, the service provides assessment, reassurance, practical advice, safety-netting and referral where needed rather than routine medicine treatment.

• No GP referral is needed: you can book or approach Treherbert Pharmacy directly.
• Bring your baby: the pharmacist needs to assess the symptoms and whether the pathway is suitable.
• Assessment comes first: the pharmacist will check for other causes of crying and warning signs.
• No routine colic medicine is supplied: Welsh guidance recommends advice, support and referral where appropriate.
• Another route may be recommended: this could be a health visitor, our independent prescriber, a GP, NHS 111 Wales or urgent care depending on the findings.

Book a baby colic assessment at Treherbert Pharmacy

Choose the NHS appointment route and bring your baby with you. You do not need to obtain a GP referral before contacting the pharmacy.

Book an NHS pharmacy appointment

Choose an NHS appointment if you would like help with this condition. The pharmacist will assess whether treatment is suitable or whether you need another service.

Useful links

• Read about the NHS Common Ailments Service at Treherbert Pharmacy
• View all NHS pharmacy services in Treherbert
• Browse conditions covered by NHS pharmacy services
• Read NHS 111 Wales advice about colic
• Read the NHS Wales patient leaflet about colic in babies
• Read Welsh Medicines Advice Service information about the Common Ailments Service

Clinically reviewed by Jon James, Pharmacist Independent Prescriber. Last reviewed: June 2026.