FBP

Can You Alleviate Infant Colic With Chiropractic Care?

Being the parent of a newborn infant is exciting and sometimes scary. Learning your baby and their cries can take some time. If your child is crying for long periods of time and is inconsolable, it could be due to colic.

Colic is a condition that affects many infants. It can feel overwhelming and often frustrating for parents. It is characterized by episodes of intense crying for no apparent reason. One natural remedy that many parents may not think of for a colicky baby is seeing a pediatric chiropractor. If you’re stressed and anxious about your child’s condition, give pediatric chiropractic care a try.


What is Infant Colic and What Are the Symptoms?

Colic is a condition that affects infants and usually involves crying—a lot of it. What is a normal crying range and what isn’t? Colic is defined as crying episodes that last for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks or more in an otherwise healthy baby. The crying bouts can be very intense and may even make the baby appear to be in pain. Colic usually starts when an infant is around two weeks old and goes away around four to six months of age.


Here are some symptoms colicky babies may experience:

  • high-pitched crying or screaming
  • extremely difficult to soothe
  • may have a red face or be pale around the mouth
  • may arch their back, clench fists, stiffen their arms, or scrunch in their legs


What Causes Infant Colic?

The exact cause of colic in babies is unknown. Some experts believe that colic may be due to an immature nervous system or gastrointestinal issues. Others believe colic could be caused by environmental factors such as light, noise, or even the smell of certain foods. Sometimes it could be caused by the type of milk your baby is drinking. But infants who drink formula or breast milk can both be diagnosed with colic.


How Can Pediatric Chiropractic Care Work to Help Relieve Infant Colic?

Now that we know a little more about colic let’s talk about how chiropractic care can help. When you take your infant to see a pediatric chiropractor, they will do a full exam. This will help them rule out any other potential causes of the crying. Once colic is determined to be the cause, they will work on gently aligning your baby’s spine and nervous system. This can help reduce the stress on their nervous system and allow their body to function better overall, including your child’s immune system and brain development.


A study was done between 2007 and 2009
 that looked at infants with colic who received chiropractic care. The study found that those who received chiropractic adjustments significantly decreased crying time.


Is Taking My Infant to a Chiropractor Safe?

The short answer is yes! Chiropractic care is a drug-free and surgery-free way to help your infant (children younger than one year) feel their best. When you take your child to see a pediatric chiropractor, they will use gentle pressure and adjustments specifically designed for infants. Chiropractors are health care professionals specializing in the musculoskeletal system’s care, most notably the spine.

If you’re considering taking your infant to see a pediatric chiropractor for colic, be sure to find one experienced in treating colicky babies. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. The goal is always to help your baby feel their best and ease any discomfort they may be experiencing.


Signs That Chiropractic Care is Working

After a few adjustments, you may start to see some improvements in your colicky baby. Here are some signs that chiropractic care is working:

  • Crying episodes begin to lessen in frequency or duration
  • Your baby starts sleeping better and can self soothe
  • They become more alert and content when awake
  • They have more regular bowel movements
If you’re seeing any of these signs, great! But even if you don’t see improvement right away, don’t stress. Babies learn at their own pace, and this colic phase will not last forever.


Other Remedies for Colic Babies

Pediatric chiropractic care is an excellent option for caring for an infant with colic. What other things can parents do to help?


Here are some colic-soothing tips:

  1. Burp your baby frequently during and after feedings.
  2. Keep a regular feeding and sleeping schedule.
  3. Try different positions when feeding your baby.
  4. Place your baby on his or her belly for short periods to help them with gas relief.
  5. Take a break. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and your mental health is deteriorating, ask a family member or friend to take over for a bit so you can have a break.
  6. Give your baby a warm bath.
Colic can be a difficult and trying time for both parents and baby, but know that there are remedies that can help. Try different techniques and find what works best for you and your baby. Remember that colic is only temporary and will eventually go away on its own. Hang in there and keep doing what you’re doing. You got this! And don’t forget to ask for help when you need it and if you’re concerned to ask your child’s doctor.


Additional Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Your New Baby

Not only can chiropractic care help with colic, but it can also help with other common health problems and your child’s development, such as:

  • gas
  • spit-up
  • constipation
  • ear infections
  • eventually, language development
  • improve physical developmental milestones
  • improve your child’s life and daily activities of living
If you think your baby might be colicky, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. There is no known cause for colic, but there are care plans that can help. Chiropractic care is safe and effective for infants and children and can provide relief from colic symptoms.
At ADIO Chiropractic, Dr. Eric and our team specialize in health for the entire family, from newborns to adults. When the body is aligned, the neurological pieces are connected better, and the body can function at 100%. Contact ADIO Chiropractic today to make an appointment and start getting your baby on the path to better health.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Request an appointment online or contact us by phone at (608) 824-0950

More blog posts

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction During Pregnancy: Natural Relief Without Medications in Middleton, WI

The Sharp Pain That Makes You Stop Mid-Step You're crossing the parking lot at Metcalfe's Market when it hits—a sharp, stabbing pain right at the front of your pelvis that literally stops you in your tracks. Rolling over in bed has become a strategic operation....

Why Is My Child Dealing with Anxiety? A Natural Approach to Helping Your Child Find Calm

You notice it in the small moments—the way your child's shoulders tense when you mention school, the tears that come out of nowhere at bedtime, the stomach aches that appear every Sunday night. Your once carefree kid now seems to carry the weight of the world on their...

Why Is My Child Struggling with Constipation? A Parent’s Guide to Natural Relief in Madison, WI

You're changing another diaper, and there's nothing there—again. It's been three days since your little one had a bowel movement, and when they finally do go, the crying breaks your heart. You watch your child strain and struggle, their face turning red with effort,...

Calm Parenting Strategies That Actually Work: Supporting Your Child’s Nervous System for Better Behavior

You're standing in the grocery store checkout line when it happens again. Your 4-year-old starts melting down over the candy display, and despite trying every parenting technique you've read about, nothing seems to work. The deep breathing, the calm voice, the...

Are Sleep Deficits and School Schedules Setting Your Child Up to Struggle? Natural Solutions for Better Rest and Learning

The alarm blares at 6:30 AM, and you're already dreading the battle ahead. Your child drags themselves out of bed, barely functional, while you calculate that they got maybe six hours of sleep—again. As you watch them struggle to focus during homework time later that...

Why Is My Child Already Sick? Building Immune Resilience for Back-to-School Season in Madison

It's only been three weeks since your child skipped excitedly through the doors of their Madison elementary school, backpack bouncing with fresh supplies and new possibilities. Now you're staring at a positive COVID test, fielding calls from the school nurse about...

The Medication Controversy: What Every Parent Needs to Know About ADHD (Without the Judgment)

The email from your child's teacher lands in your inbox at 2:47 PM on a Tuesday. Your heart sinks before you even open it. "We need to schedule a meeting to discuss Tyler's classroom behavior and focus challenges. Please call when you have a moment." You've been here...

The Parent’s Guide to Naturally Supporting ADHD & SPD Kids for School Success

The notification pops up on your phone at 10:47 AM: "School supply lists are now available!" Your heart does that familiar flip as you realize summer is almost over. While other parents might feel excited about routine returning, you're already mentally preparing for...

Beyond Back Cracks: Understanding Neurologically-Based Chiropractic Care and Why It Changes Everything

You've tried everything. The occupational therapy sessions that cost a fortune but only provided temporary relief. The behavioral therapist who gave you strategies that work for other kids but not yours. The pediatrician who suggested "wait and see" or offered...

David vs. Goliath: When Your ADHD Child Faces the Giant of Traditional Education

The phone rings at 2:15 PM. Your heart sinks because you recognize the school's number on the caller ID. It's the third call this week, and it's only Wednesday. "Mrs. Johnson, we need you to pick up Tyler early today. He's having another difficult afternoon." As you...