As a pediatric chiropractor, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many families who feel completely overwhelmed and desperate for answers. One of the most difficult things to witness is a baby who cries for hours on end, every single day, with no clear explanation. What might start as typical fussiness can turn into full-blown colic—and that’s where many parents hit a wall.
Unfortunately, many pediatricians will tell you it’s normal and that your baby will “grow out of it.” But if your gut is telling you something more is going on, I want you to know: you’re right to dig deeper.
What Is Colic, Really?
Colic is a term used to describe excessive, often unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy infant—typically defined as crying more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more. It affects around 1 in 5 babies, but from what I see in practice, that number might be much higher.
The frustrating part is that colic doesn’t give you any insight into why your baby is uncomfortable, or what you can do to help. It’s a label, not a solution.
The Nervous System: The Most Overlooked Cause
Yes, colic can sometimes be connected to nutrition—especially if a baby is reacting to formula or something passed through breastmilk. But the most commonly overlooked contributor is the nervous system.
If your baby’s nervous system is under stress—particularly if it’s stuck in “fight or flight” mode—they’ll often display symptoms like:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Clenched fists
- Arching of the back
- Tense belly or gas
- Constant crying and irritability
In chiropractic, we refer to this stress as subluxation—areas of the spine where tension is interfering with normal nerve function. And for babies, this is incredibly common, especially after difficult births or interventions like forceps, vacuum, or C-section deliveries.
INSiGHT Scans: Seeing the Stress
At Spark Life Chiropractic, we use a technology called INSiGHT scanning to assess the health of your baby’s nervous system. These scans help us identify where subluxations and neurological stress exist—particularly in areas tied to digestion, calming, and immune function.
The scans are completely non-invasive and safe for babies. They help us understand exactly how the nervous system is functioning and whether it’s contributing to your baby’s discomfort.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve plays a major role in digestion, sleep, and relaxation. It branches from the upper cervical spine and travels through the neck, chest, and into the digestive system. If this nerve is under stress due to subluxation—often from birth trauma or prolonged labor—it can lead to issues like reflux, constipation, poor sleep, and excessive crying.
When we locate and gently adjust these areas, we’re helping the nervous system shift out of stress mode and into rest, digest, and healing mode.
The Myth of “Growing Out of It”
You may have heard that babies eventually grow out of colic—but in truth, colic is often the first sign of deeper nervous system stress. If left unaddressed, that stress can lead to chronic ear infections, developmental delays, sensory challenges, and more.
By addressing subluxations early on, we’re not just helping your baby feel better—we’re supporting their long-term development and health.
How Chiropractic Can Help
We don’t treat or cure colic. What we do is locate the neurological stress that may be causing the discomfort using INSiGHT scans and other assessments. Once we have that information, we create a personalized care plan with gentle, specific adjustments that are safe for even the tiniest babies.
The goal? A baby who can eat, sleep, poop, and grow without constant stress in their system—and parents who can finally take a deep breath.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this and wondering if chiropractic might help your baby, I want you to know you’re not alone. So many parents are told to just “wait it out,” but that doesn’t have to be your only option.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on in your baby’s nervous system and get to the root of their discomfort. If you have questions or want to schedule an assessment, give our office a call—we’d be honored to support your family.
And if you know a parent going through the stress of colic, please share this with them. The answers they’re looking for might be just a scan away.
Interested in learning more about Pediatric Chiropractic Care, check out Factors That Play A Role in Your Child’s Healing Journey
