Colic: What it is and What to do for Your Little One

What is colic and what causes it?

Does your little one cry for long periods of time for no obvious reason? Does the crying often begin suddenly, seem overly loud, or feel impossible to calm? Are you feeling overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness? Well, you’re not alone. 1 in 4 babies suffers with what we refer to as colic, leading to prolonged crying, sleepless nights, and so much stress for both baby and parents.

Colic typically affects babies during the first 3 to 4 months of life, and usually peaks around 6 to 8 weeks. You may feel that you’ve tried everything to help your child, but it seems that no matter what, baby’s discomfort just won’t go away. But what causes this?

Well, recent studies suggest a link between colic and neurological dysfunction in baby, triggered by factors like maternal stress during pregnancy, birth trauma, and gut imbalance in baby. This neurological dysfunction is often a dominance of the sympathetic nervous system.

Once that sympathetic dominance sets in for your baby, they struggle with basic health functions like sleeping, eating, and pooping, which can lead to being constantly uncomfortable and therefore constantly upset or “colicky”.

Common Misconceptions

Have you been told that your baby will simply grow out of their colic? This is a common misconception, as even though your baby may stop exhibiting the symptoms of colic, the root cause won’t simply go away. Babies rarely grow out of anything but simply grow into an onslaught of other dysfunction.

Another common misconception is that colic always means that baby has a stomach problem. While the exact cause of colic is unknown, it is not necessarily due to digestive issues. There may be a deeper cause leading to digestive discomfort, however that’s not always the primary issue. Factors like an immature nervous system, overstimulation, or sensitivity to their environment may contribute to colic.

Often it is thought that medication is necessary to treat colic. There is no specific medication to cure colic. Most treatments focus on soothing techniques, such as swaddling, rocking, white noise, or trying probiotics in some cases.

What can you do?

Magnesium lotion can help relax tension in your little one’s body. I love this one from Earthley, plus it's available on Amazon, so it’s super easy to order! There is no synthetic fragrance and essential oils are used instead, but make sure to get unscented if your little one has sensitive skin. Colic is often a sign of overwhelm and significant tension within your baby’s body, and this is a great way to help calm that down.

While gut discomfort isn’t the only cause for colic, it is common. If you suspect your baby’s colic may be the result of gastric discomfort, you can try clockwise belly rubs or bicycle kicks with baby’s legs to help get things moving. If you have any questions about how this is done, give our office a call, or YouTube can be a great resource as well!

If you’re breastfeeding, changing your diet or trying an elimination diet could be wise to see if baby may be reacting to something they are getting through your breast milk. Dairy, eggs, nuts, or caffeine are common allergens that may be affecting your little one.

Nervous system focused chiropractic care could be the missing piece. Pediatric chiropractors relieve tension in your little one’s body by working on their spine and nervous systems. This allows baby’s brain and bodies to communicate and function properly. When things are working as they should, stress and discomfort are reduced and potentially, symptoms such as colic can reduce as a result!

If you are interested in getting to the root cause of your baby’s colic or have any questions, Little Sprouts Chiropractic Center is here to help. Click here to schedule your complimentary phone consultation with Dr. Makailee today and get the answers you and your family have been looking for!