How long does it take for Colief to work? A guide for parents

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

For parents grappling with infant colic, finding relief is a top priority, with many turning to lactase enzyme drops like Colief. The product works by breaking down lactose in milk, and its effectiveness starts to develop within the initial waiting period before each feed.

Quick Summary

Colief's lactase enzyme begins acting within minutes of being added to warm milk, but a cumulative effect builds over several days to a week for noticeable colic improvement. The preparation method and timing vary for breastfed and formula-fed infants.

Key Points

Pre-Feed Reaction: Colief requires a waiting period after being added to a warm feed for the lactase enzyme to effectively break down milk sugars.
Cumulative Effect: The overall improvement in colic symptoms from using Colief is gradual and becomes more noticeable over several days to a week of consistent use with every feed.
Variable Timing: The exact time to see a difference can vary between infants, with some parents reporting improvement within 24 hours, while others may require a full week.
Dosing Protocol: The method of preparation and required waiting time differs for immediate-use formula, advance-prepared refrigerated formula, and expressed breast milk.
One-Week Trial: Experts suggest a one-week trial to determine if temporary lactose intolerance is the cause of your baby's colic and if Colief is the right solution.
Consider Alternatives: If Colief doesn't work after a week, other causes of infant distress should be considered in consultation with a healthcare professional.
Natural Weaning: Colic often resolves by 3-4 months as a baby's digestive system matures, allowing for a gradual reduction and eventual cessation of the drops.

Understanding the Timeline for Colief's Effectiveness

When a baby is distressed due to colic, parents want to see results as quickly as possible. Colief, which contains the enzyme lactase, helps to break down the lactose in milk that some infants have difficulty digesting. The effectiveness is split into two phases: the immediate pre-feed action and the longer-term cumulative relief of symptoms.

Immediate Effect: The Pre-Feed Wait

For Colief to work on a feed, it must be given time to act on the milk before the baby consumes it. Manufacturer instructions state that for single feeds, particularly with warm formula or expressed breast milk, a waiting period is required.

For formula-fed babies: Add the recommended number of drops of Colief Infant Drops to the warm (not hot) formula. Shake gently and wait the specified time to allow the enzyme to break down a significant portion of the lactose before feeding.
For breastfed babies: Express a small amount of foremilk, add the recommended number of drops of Colief, and feed this to the infant on a sterile spoon before breastfeeding normally. In this method, the lactase enzyme still has an effective working life of about minutes.

This incubation time is crucial for the lactase enzyme to properly break down the lactose into simpler, more digestible sugars. Giving the feed sooner may reduce the effectiveness of the drops.

Cumulative Effect: Noticing Overall Improvement

While the drops work on each individual feed, the overall improvement in a baby's colic symptoms occurs over a longer period. This is because the effect is cumulative, helping to relieve digestive discomfort with every treated feed.

According to some pharmacies and parent accounts, it may take a few days to a week of consistent use to see a significant difference in your baby's comfort level and a reduction in crying spells. Some parents have reported seeing results as quickly as 24 hours later, describing a "different baby". If no improvement is observed after a one-week trial, it's recommended to consult a doctor or health visitor to explore other potential causes of the colic.

Advanced Preparation and Dosing

For parents who prepare bottles in advance, Colief offers a refrigerated preparation method that uses less product but requires a longer wait time.

Advance preparation: Add the recommended number of drops of Colief to freshly prepared formula, refrigerate for a minimum of a few hours, and then feed within a specific timeframe. The longer refrigeration period allows the enzyme to work at a slower pace.

By around three to four months of age, a baby's digestive system naturally matures and produces more of its own lactase enzyme. This is typically when colic symptoms begin to subside on their own, and parents can start to wean the baby off the drops gradually.

Comparison of Colic Relief Drops

It's important to understand how Colief differs from other common colic remedies. Colief targets the temporary lactose intolerance that can cause digestive discomfort, whereas other products may work on different principles. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using or combining different products.


Feature	Colief Infant Drops	Simeticone (e.g., Infacol)	Gripe Water	Probiotic Drops
Mechanism	Contains lactase enzyme to break down lactose.	Works by combining small gas bubbles into larger ones, making them easier to pass.	Contains dill seed oil and sodium bicarbonate; intended to break down gas and neutralize stomach acid.	Supplements good bacteria to aid digestion and gut health.
Target	Colic caused by temporary lactose intolerance.	Colic caused by trapped gas and wind.	May target gas and acid reflux, but less scientific evidence for colic.	General digestive support and gas reduction.
Time to Work	Enzyme acts on each feed; cumulative effect visible in days to a week.	Starts acting within about minutes per dose; full benefits may take a few days.	Often given per dose, but limited evidence of consistent effectiveness.	May take several weeks of regular use to colonize the gut.
Use Case	Feed preparation required (wait time).	Given directly before or during feeds (no wait).	Given directly to baby from a certain age.	Given directly to baby, often once daily.

Potential Causes of Colic

If Colief does not appear to be working within a week, it's important to recognize that temporary lactose intolerance is not the only cause of colic. Other factors that can contribute to prolonged infant crying and discomfort include:

Cow's milk protein allergy: A more serious condition than lactose intolerance, requiring avoidance of dairy products.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD): When stomach contents leak back up into the food pipe.
General immaturity of the digestive system: Some babies simply need more time for their digestive tracts to develop.

Tracking your baby's feeding and crying patterns can provide valuable clues. For more comprehensive information on infant care and potential colic causes, consult authoritative resources such as the National Institute of Health, which has funded research related to lactase's effects on infant colic.

Conclusion: Patience and Consistency Are Key

While how long does it take for Colief to work? has a two-part answer—the immediate reaction and the longer-term cumulative effect—patience and consistency are the most important factors for parents. The lactase enzyme in Colief needs time to predigest the lactose in milk, so adhering to the preparation instructions is essential for efficacy. A one-week trial of regular use should provide an indication of whether temporary lactose intolerance is the source of your baby's discomfort. If symptoms persist, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional to investigate other potential causes and determine the most appropriate course of action for your baby's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Colief does not work instantly. For immediate use with warm formula or expressed breast milk, you must wait the specified time after adding the drops to allow the lactase enzyme to break down the lactose before feeding your baby.

For immediate results, the most effective way is to follow the instructions for adding the recommended number of drops to warm milk and waiting the full specified time before feeding. However, the most significant improvements build cumulatively over several days of consistent use with every feed.

Colief should not be given directly to the baby, as the acid in the baby's stomach would render the enzyme ineffective. It must be mixed with milk first to ensure it works properly.

Skipping the wait time means Colief will be less effective, as the enzyme won't have had enough time to break down a significant amount of the lactose. While the drops will still have some effect, it is best to adhere to the waiting period for maximum benefit.

You should observe a reduction in your baby's colic symptoms, such as less distressed crying, bloating, and discomfort. A one-week trial of consistent use is generally recommended to determine if the drops are effective.

Most babies' digestive systems mature by around 3-4 months, and symptoms typically disappear. Colief can then be weaned off gradually. If symptoms persist beyond this time, you can continue using the drops under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Colief works differently from other drops like Infacol (simeticone). While they are safe to use together under pediatric guidance, you should monitor your baby's reaction and consult a healthcare provider for advice.

When weaning off Colief, it's best to do so gradually by first reducing the number of drops per feed, then using them in alternate feeds, and eventually stopping altogether. If symptoms return, revert to the previous dosage under the guidance of a healthcare professional.