Will Your Baby Really Grow Out of Colic?

Colic affects up to 1 in 4 newborn babies. Unfortunately, it’s nothing new. If you're a parent with a colicky baby, you've probably heard a dozen times: "Don't worry, they'll grow out of it."

But what if that well-meaning advice is actually preventing your child from getting the help they need? What if your baby's constant crying, arching back, and sleepless nights aren't just something to endure, but rather their body trying to tell you something important about their nervous system? 

The truth is, babies don't simply "grow out" of colic - and today, we're going to explain why this matters so much for your child's long-term health and development.

Many parents of colicky babies notice frequent crying, difficulty settling, or sleep challenges. Understanding these early signs can help you support your baby’s comfort and wellbeing.

Understanding the Foundations of Colic

Today we're going to reveal the surprising connection between birth trauma, nervous system dysfunction, and colic - and why addressing these connections early can prevent years of chronic health challenges for your child.

Colic and Nervous System Stress

So, to begin with, let’s get into the science behind the Deep-Seated foundations of Colic…

Colic isn't just about digestive discomfort - it's a sign of deeper neurological distress, stress and dysfunction that starts very early in life.

When a baby arches their back and stiffens their neck during crying episodes, they're actually showing us signs of neuro-spinal tension and nervous system stress.

Birth Trauma Connection

This stress typically begins during pregnancy or birth, especially with interventions like C-sections, forceps, or vacuum extraction.

Adding on to that, let’s talk about The Birth Trauma Connection leading to Colic… Physical interventions during birth can create significant pressure on an infant's delicate upper neck and brainstem area. This area houses the vagus nerve - the master controller of digestion, sleep, emotional regulation, and immune function.

When birth trauma creates tension and misalignment (what we call subluxation), it disrupts normal vagus nerve function.

Why Babies Don't "Grow Out" of Colic

The same neurological dysfunction causing colic also affects other crucial developmental processes. Without proper and early care, colicky babies regularly progress to experiencing recurring ear infections, respiratory issues, sensory processing challenges, sleep difficulties, digestive problems, and emotional regulation struggles.

Each round of antibiotics or medications can further disrupt the gut-brain connection, creating a cycle of chronic health challenges.

Before we finish off, it’s important to understand The Role of the Nervous System and how it relates to colic. Your baby's digestive system is completely controlled by their autonomic nervous system.

When subluxation, stress that’s stuck in the nervous system, creates sympathetic nervous system dominance ("fight or flight" stress response), it directly impacts digestion, motility, sleep patterns, immune function, overall comfort, and contentment.

This explains why traditional colic care plans focusing only on digestion often fall short.

Assessing Nervous System Function in Infants

At House of Chiropractic, we use advanced neurological scanning technology to gain insight into an infant’s nervous system function. These non-invasive tools help identify areas where the nervous system may be under stress, including the sympathetic nervous system and the vagus nerve, which are key to digestion, sleep, and overall regulation.

INSiGHT Scanning Technology

NeuroPulse Scan

The NeuroPulse scan measures overall nervous system activity and function. It provides information on how well the nervous system is adapting to daily challenges and whether there are signs of sympathetic dominance, neurological confusion, or nervous system fatigue.

NeuroThermal Scan

The NeuroThermal scan uses infrared sensors to detect temperature variations along the spinal muscles. These readings indicate areas of nerve function imbalance, blood vessel tone, or autonomic nervous system stress. Unlike structural imaging, this scan focuses on nervous system function and its relationship to organ and glandular activity.

Surface EMG

The surface EMG uses non-invasive sensors along the spine to measure electrical signals generated by muscle activity. It highlights patterns of neuromuscular activity, helping identify areas of tension or imbalance that could affect motor development, energy levels, or general comfort.

Together, these three scans provide a comprehensive view of the nervous system and its regulation. This information helps develop a personalised approach to supporting a newborn’s nervous system, promoting comfort, functional development, and overall wellbeing.

Promoting Comfort and Wellbeing for Your Baby

The good news is that gentle, specific neurologically-focused chiropractic care can help release this stored tension and restore proper nervous system function.

If you're tired of being told to "wait it out" while watching your baby struggle, it's time to try a different approach. At House of Chiropractic we have “runs on the board” within the community and beyond in helping colicky babies and their exhausted parents find lasting relief through gentle and effective care that addresses the foundational cause of their discomfort.

Let us help you find relief for your baby or child by scheduling a Neurological INSiGHT Scan with our team. To learn more call us, DM us or simply book in to see how we can help your little one thrive and not just survive through these early months. Your child’s nervous system holds the key to their comfort and development - let us help you unlock it.