Kids and Colic

​Bottom Line
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a colicky baby. If you’ve lived through it before, even reading that sentence might bring back memories of long evenings filled with intense crying and exhaustion. Colic is characterized by prolonged periods of fussiness or crying—often three or more hours a day—that tend to show up right around the time parents are hoping to finally sit down and unwind.

Colic most commonly begins within the first few weeks of life, peaks around six weeks, and typically resolves on its own by three to four months. While it is temporary, the weeks in between can be incredibly stressful and emotionally draining for families.

Why It MattersDespite how common colic is, its exact cause remains unknown. What we do know is that infancy is a period of rapid development, particularly for the digestive system and the nervous system—both of which appear to play important roles in colic symptoms.
Researchers and clinicians have identified several contributing factors that may be involved:

• The gut is still maturing, which can affect digestion, gas, and comfort
• A developing nervous system may struggle to regulate stimulation, leading to irritability and difficulty settling
• Tension or imbalance in the body may interfere with a baby’s ability to relax and self-soothe

Colic is commonly defined by:

• Crying or fussiness lasting more than 3 hours per day
• Occurring on most days of the week
• In an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby

While love, patience, and support are essential (and often the most important “treatments”), research has also explored whether conservative care options can help reduce symptoms and improve comfort.

Where Chiropractic Care Fits InChiropractic care does not “cure” colic or replace medical care. Instead, it focuses on supporting the nervous system and musculoskeletal balance during a critical period of development.

Infant chiropractic care is extremely gentle and tailored specifically for babies. It may help by:

• Reducing tension that can interfere with nervous system regulation
• Supporting communication between the brain and body
• Helping babies better adapt to sensory input and movement
• Encouraging relaxation and improved comfort

A randomized controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that infants receiving chiropractic care experienced more than a two-hour reduction in daily crying time compared to those who did not receive care. While not every baby responds the same way, these findings suggest chiropractic care may be a helpful, low-risk option for families navigating colic.

A Supportive, Whole-Family ApproachAt Regional Health Center, our approach to caring for colicky babies is calm, gentle, and family-centered. We take time to:

• Assess how a baby’s body and nervous system are adapting
• Provide age-appropriate, gentle chiropractic care
• Educate parents on positioning, soothing strategies, and realistic expectations
• Work alongside pediatric providers when needed

Our goal is to support your baby’s development while also supporting you through what can be a challenging season.

Next StepsIf you’re dealing with colic, take a deep breath—you are not doing anything wrong. Colic is temporary, and for most babies, symptoms naturally resolve within a few months. In the meantime, conservative care options like chiropractic may help reduce discomfort and make this phase more manageable.

If you’d like to learn more about whether chiropractic care could support your baby, we’re happy to answer questions and walk alongside your family during this time.

​Science Sources

• Mayo Clinic. Colic. 2018.
• The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1999.