Chiropractic care for a colicky baby

A baby who is hard to settle

Parents use the word colicky when a baby cries for long stretches and is hard to soothe. This is a guide to what we look at. A visit is how we tell what applies to your baby.

What people mean by colic

Sometimes there is a feeding or digestive side. Often nobody has found a clear reason. We do not decide that from the crying alone. The exam comes first.

Birth and the first months

Birth, whether vaginal or cesarean, puts force through a baby's neck and spine. The first months add awkward sleep and the first ways of holding the head up. The exam is how we look at that, instead of guessing from fussiness.

Comfort, feeding, and sleep

Parents often notice that feeding is a fight and sleep comes in short pieces. We look at how the baby is moving and how the spine is lining up. We do not promise the crying will stop. A visit is how we tell what we can see.

When it needs a pediatrician

Fever, a baby who will not feed, poor weight gain, a very stiff or floppy body, or anything that feels like an emergency belongs with a pediatrician or urgent care first. The exam is how we tell whether care here is the right next step.

An exam before any care

A first visit for a baby starts with an exam, so we can see what is going on before any care. We take objective measures of structure and function, and we use on-site X-rays only when they help us see that structure. Adjustments for an infant are gentle. Call ahead and we will tell you what to expect.

Peter Lenhart, Director of Rehab, helps patients improve structure and function with specialized exercises and angular tractions. More on the approach is on the CBP page. Care for older children is on the kids page.

Questions about a colicky baby