Can Chiropractic Help with Colic? What Every Parent Should Know.

If you’re a parent of a colicky baby, first—take a deep breath. You’re not alone. The hours of crying. The arching back. The red face. The sleepless nights. The feeling that nothing you do is helping.

It’s beyond exhausting.

You’ve probably tried everything: gas drops, swaddling, probiotics, changing your diet (if you’re breastfeeding), switching formulas, upright feeding, bouncing, rocking, massaging, pacing the house at 2 a.m.… and still, your baby’s crying feels relentless.

Let us say this clearly: it’s not your fault.

And there is hope.

One gentle, natural option more and more parents are exploring is pediatric chiropractic care—and not in the way you might be picturing.

First, What Is Colic?

Colic is one of those frustrating diagnoses that essentially means: your baby cries a lot, and we don’t have a clear reason why.

Clinically, colic is defined as crying for more than three hours per day, on more than three days per week, for at least three weeks. (Yes—it’s just as miserable as it sounds.)

While there’s no single known cause, research and clinical experience suggest colic may be linked to:

• Digestive discomfort or gas
• An immature or overwhelmed nervous system
• Sensory overload
• Tension or stress in the body from birth—especially after a fast, long, or difficult/traumatic delivery, induction, C-section, or assisted birth

Many babies come into the world having already experienced physical stress, and for some, their little systems have a hard time settling afterward.

A Quick (But Important!) Note About Crying

Before we dive into more details on colic, we want to say that it’s completely normal—and healthy—for babies to cry. Crying is how infants communicate hunger, discomfort, overstimulation, tiredness, or the need for connection.

Colic is different: it’s persistent, intense crying that’s difficult to soothe and often paired with signs of discomfort, which can be a signal that a baby’s nervous system needs extra support.

Common Signs of Colic

Colic doesn’t always look the same from baby to baby, but many parents notice a similar pattern of behaviors that just don’t feel like “normal fussiness.” You might recognize some of these signs:

• Long stretches of crying that feel intense, inconsolable, or come out of nowhere (think: more than three hours of crying per day, on more than three days per week)
• Pulling knees up, arching the back, or squirming—especially after feeds
• Fussiness at the breast or bottle, frequent pulling off, or difficulty settling during feeds
• A baby who seems generally unsettled or extra clingy throughout the day
• Waking suddenly and screaming, rather than waking gradually
• A visibly uncomfortable or distressed baby, even when basic needs are met
• Difficulty burping despite being very diligent
• Excessive gas or frequent farting
• Only settling when upright (in a carrier or stroller) and becoming miserable when laid flat

If you’re reading this list and thinking, “Yes, this is exactly what our days and nights look like,” please know this: you’re not imagining it, and you’re not doing anything wrong.

These signs often point to a nervous system that’s working overtime and having a hard time regulating digestion, comfort, and calm—something chiropractic care is specifically designed to support.

So, How Can Chiropractic Help Colic?

Here’s where things get interesting.

Contrary to many stereotypes, pediatric chiropractic care isn’t about “cracking” spines. Rather, it’s about supporting your baby’s nervous system, which plays a central role in digestion, sleep, comfort, and regulation. The nervous system controls how your baby’s body:

• Processes stimulation
• Coordinates digestion
• Releases tension
• Calms herself

If the nervous system is under stress or not communicating efficiently, it can show up as excessive crying, poor sleep, digestive discomfort, or difficulty soothing.

Pediatric chiropractors use extremely gentle, specific adjustments—often no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato—to help release tension and restore balance in the nervous system. When the nervous system starts functioning more smoothly, many babies are able to:

• Relax more easily
• Digest more comfortably
• Self-sooth and cry less
• Sleep longer stretches

It’s not about forcing change—it’s about giving the body the support it needs to do what it’s designed to do.

What Will My Baby’s Chiropractic Visit Look Like?

Your baby’s first visit to the chiropractor is all about listening and understanding.

We start with a thorough conversation about what your baby has been experiencing. This includes feeding patterns, sleep, birth history, developmental milestones, and what you’ve already tried. You won’t feel rushed, and no concern is too small.

From there, we use tools like INSiGHT Scans to assess how your baby’s nervous system is functioning. These scans are completely non-invasive and help us identify areas where the nervous system may be under stress or working overtime.

If we find areas that need support, we’ll walk you through a customized care plan designed specifically for your baby. Our adjustments are always gentle and focused on helping your baby feel calmer and more comfortable, digest better, and (hopefully!) cry a whole lot less.

Parents are often surprised by how peaceful the experience is—many babies relax or even fall asleep during their adjustments!

What Other Parents Are Saying

Many families who bring their colicky babies in for chiropractic care notice meaningful changes—sometimes within just a few visits. Parents often share that their baby:

• Seems calmer and more settled
• Cries less and soothes more easily
• Sleeps longer stretches
• Appears more comfortable during feeds
• Finally enjoys cuddles instead of crying through them

Of course, every baby is different, and there’s no magic fix—but when you’re in the thick of colic, even small improvements can feel life-changing.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Colic can feel incredibly isolating and overwhelming. When your baby cries constantly, it can make you question everything—even when you’re doing everything right. Never forget, you are doing an amazing job!

If you’re ready to explore a gentle, natural way to support your baby’s comfort and nervous system, we’re here to help. Reach out to us at Well Family Chiropractic to request an evaluation or ask questions. Together, let’s take the first step toward helping your baby feel better from the inside out.