Colic Treatment: The Essential Guide for Parents
Babies cry to communicate—hunger, discomfort, pain, and tension are all part of that language. So what exactly is colic, and why does it get so much attention?
What Is Colic?
Colic is described as relentless infant crying that tends to concentrate at the end of the day. Mothers often describe a colicky baby as inconsolable. Colic matters because it frequently leads parents to stop breastfeeding earlier than planned, switch formulas, or introduce solid foods too soon. It can also disrupt the infant-parent bond and increase the risk of caregiver stress. Without any treatment, only about 25% of babies with colic stop crying by 3 months of age.
👶 Struggling with a baby who won't stop crying? You don't have to just wait it out—support is available.
Why Do Chiropractors Treat Colic?
It’s a fair question. One way to think about it: colic may be to infants what back pain is to adults. It’s a poorly understood condition, but one thing research has shown is clear—when a colicky infant sees a chiropractor, treatment tends to result in decreased crying for the baby (Miller, et al., 2011).
What Happens During a Colic Treatment Visit?
On the first visit, chiropractors start by taking a health history and performing a physical exam on the infant. The health history helps gather more information about your baby and rules out anything more serious going on. During the physical exam, the chiropractor checks some of your baby’s reflexes to confirm they’re developing normally, then feels along the joints of the back and neck to check for any that are irritated or not moving properly.
If irritated joints are found in your baby’s spine, the chiropractor will gently adjust them to help restore proper position and movement. These adjustments are extremely gentle and low-force—using only about as much pressure as it takes to blanch a fingernail.
🤲 Wondering if this gentle approach could help your baby? A first visit includes a full history and exam before any treatment begins.
How Many Treatments Will My Baby Need?
Most parents notice a considerable decrease in the number of hours their baby cries each day within 3 treatments. If there’s no change after those first 3 visits, your chiropractor may recommend seeing another healthcare professional to explore other possible causes.
Key Takeaways
Colic is a common but poorly understood condition that can take a real toll on both baby and parents. Chiropractic care offers a gentle, low-force approach that has been shown to help reduce crying, typically within the first few visits, and includes a thorough history and exam to make sure nothing more serious is being missed.
Ready to Get Some Relief for You and Your Baby?
For more information or to book an appointment, call Dr. Jen at Georgina Chiropractic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Adjustments used on infants are extremely gentle and low-force—only about as much pressure as it takes to blanch a fingernail—and are preceded by a full health history and physical exam.
Many parents notice a considerable decrease in crying within 3 treatments. If there’s no improvement by then, your chiropractor may refer you to another healthcare professional.
The chiropractor will take a health history, check your baby’s reflexes and development, and gently feel the joints in the back and neck to identify any that are irritated or restricted.
Chiropractic care addresses joint irritation and restricted movement in the spine, which is thought to contribute to some cases of colic. It’s often used alongside, not instead of, your regular pediatric care.
