(HealthDay News) -- If your baby is crying a lot, you should call your doctor. Your pediatrician will want to check your baby to make sure there is no medical reason for the crying.

If the doctor finds no underlying medical cause, he will probably tell you that your baby has colic.

Colic does not have any lasting effects on the child in later life. It usually starts to improve at about 6 weeks of age, and is generally gone by the time your baby is 12 weeks old.

In the meantime, try these techniques from the University of Michigan Health System:

• Respond consistently to your baby's cries. Check to see if she's hungry, tired, in pain, too hot or cold, bored, overstimulated, or in need of a diaper change.
• Some parents find that carrying their baby more frequently lessens colic.
• Rock your baby -- or play music and dance.
• Change formula, but talk with your baby's doctor first.
• Talk a walk with your baby in the stroller, or take a ride in the car.
• Nurse your baby every two to three hours if you are breast-feeding.
• Don't allow anyone to smoke around your baby. Babies of smokers cry more and also get sick more often.
• Massage your baby.