Colic
BY DORTE BLADT
When Your Baby Is Crying: Understanding Colic and What Parents Can Do
Most parents expect a few unsettled moments with a new baby—but when the crying becomes frequent, intense and difficult to soothe, it can feel overwhelming. It’s not unusual for parents to walk into our practice looking tired, worried and unsure of what to do.
Excessive crying in young babies—often referred to as colic—is common, but that doesn’t make it any less stressful for families. Many parents describe feeling concerned about what’s causing the crying or whether something important is being missed.
What do we know about colic?
Research has explored a wide range of possible contributors to persistent crying, including digestive discomfort, immature immune systems, nervous systems challenges, less than perfect feeding patterns, hormonal influences and early sensory processing disorders. At this stage, there is no single confirmed cause, and it is likely that several factors play a role.
While colic is often described as something that “goes away by itself,” more recent studies suggest that early crying may be associated with later developmental or behavioural patterns in some children. It doesn’t mean crying causes these challenges, but that for some babies, excessive crying may be an early sign that their system is working a little harder to find balance.
What support options exist?
Families are often told to “wait it out,” but, in addition to possible longer term challenges, this can be emotionally exhausting when your baby is upset and everyone is struggling to function and sleep. Unfortunately, many commonly suggested remedies—such as medications, specialised formulas and supplements—don’t show consistent results in research, and some carry risks or side effects.
One approach that is supported in the literature is parental guidance and reassurance. Understanding that colic is common, that it is not caused by anything a parent is doing wrong, and that there are ways to support your baby’s comfort can reduce stress and help create a calmer environment for everyone.
How chiropractors may support parents
At The Family Chiro we routinely work with families and young children, including infants who cry a lot.
Our appointments include:
Gentle, age-appropriate physical assessments
Supportive advice on feeding positions, burping techniques and ways to hold and settle a baby
Guidance around infant comfort, body tension and soothing strategies
Discussion of practical factors that may influence unsettled behaviour (sleep routines, overstimulation, feeding patterns, etc.)
Providing reassurance and helping parents feel confident and supported
Some parents choose to have their baby checked by a chiropractor as part of their overall approach to managing unsettled behaviour. Chiropractic care for babies involves extremely gentle techniques adapted specifically to an infant’s age and size. Practitioners focus on comfort, connection and supporting healthy function in a general sense.
Current evidence about chiropractic care and colic is varied. However, meta-analysis report small reductions in crying time. This reflects the complexity of colic and the many factors that may influence a baby’s behaviour.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
Caring for a baby who cries a lot can be emotionally draining. Sometimes, simply having someone listen, assess your baby carefully and provide guidance and care can make a meaningful difference to how confident and supported you feel as a parent.
If you are concerned about your baby’s crying—or if you feel unsure about what’s normal—it is always appropriate to seek a professional opinion. At The Family Chiro, we are always here to help.
Yours in Health,
Dorte and The Family Chiro Team
