Are you a new parent struggling with a colicky baby? Does it feel like your little one is constantly crying, arching their back, and having difficulty sleeping and soothing? If so, you are not alone, and this blog is here to provide you with valuable insights and natural solutions to tackle infantile colic head-on.
This is for you, new moms and dads, who are dealing with the taxing challenges of colic. If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of answers and effective solutions, we are here to help! We will dive deep into the world of colic, going beyond the standard responses from pediatricians that often leave you feeling helpless. You’ll discover the real root causes of colic and explore natural options to help your little one sleep better, improve digestion, have happier days, and stay on track with their development.
What is Colic?
Colic is characterized by prolonged periods of uncontrollable crying in babies, disrupting their sleep patterns and overall development. It’s estimated to affect approximately 1 in 4 babies using standard criteria, but this number could be even higher when considering related issues such as constipation, reflux, indigestion, etc.
Colic manifests through intense crying, fussiness, predictable timing of symptoms, facial discoloration, body tension, arching, and stiffening, among other indicators. These symptoms are distinct from normal crying due to hunger or diaper changes.
The challenge for you parents is that you often feel helpless and exhausted when dealing with colicky babies. You know something is wrong but can’t pinpoint the cause, and the situation can worsen when you receive advice like “let them cry it out” or “they’ll grow out of it.”
Causes and Triggers of Colic
While the standard medical community and pediatricians often claim that the cause of colic is unknown, a deeper dive into your child’s case history and the science of the nervous and digestive systems can provide the answers you seek!
Colic’s root causes go beyond digestive issues; they are primarily rooted in an overstressed central nervous system. Birth interventions or trauma can contribute to physical tension and stress on your baby’s neck and upper back areas, affecting sleep, feeding, digestion, and more.
A stressful pregnancy and birth process can lead to subluxation, causing the nervous system to remain stuck in a sustained fight-or-flight state. Because birth trauma primarily affects the brainstem area, this interference can affect the Vagus Nerve, a crucial component of the “rest, relax, and digest” functions of the body.
So, if your baby struggles to eat and keep food down, it could be because of a condition called dysautonomia, which means the body’s autonomic systems, like eating, digesting, moving, and breathing, aren’t coordinated properly. The issue stems from problems in the nervous system, disrupting the way the body handles digestion.
The Key to Calming Colic: The Vagus Nerve
At PWC Chiropractic, we provide safe and gentle adjustments for your baby that help activate and stimulate their Vagus Nerve and the parasympathetic “rest, relax, and digest” functions. This can make a significant difference for your baby struggling with colic.
If you’ve tried numerous solutions without success, don’t lose hope! Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractic at PWC may be the answer you’ve been searching for. Now that you’ve identified the true root cause of your child’s stress and discomfort, it’s time to start helping them achieve better sleep, enhanced digestion, and developmental progress.
Please don’t hesitate to pass this post along to fellow parents who might be facing similar challenges. If you are not local to us, please check out the PX Docs directory to find a doc local to you. Let’s join forces to support these little ones in getting the rest they need and bringing consistent smiles back to their faces!
Here are 3 ways we can help!