Soothing the Stress of Colic
Colic can feel overwhelming when your baby cries and cries and nothing seems to help.
When your baby has colic, it can really negatively affect your nervous system. That in turn affects how well you sleep and how well you function in life.
In the life of a new mom, colic is one of the hardest challenges.
It leaves babies uncomfortable and parents stressed to the breaking point.
I know how hard that can be, that's why I've specialized in helping both the baby and the parents calm their nervous systems down.
All that stress isn't good for anyone in the family. Understanding what’s going on, and what to do about it, can really help.
What colic really is.
Colic isn’t just “a fussy baby.” It’s a cycle of prolonged crying and discomfort, usually starting at around 3 weeks old. Sometimes it can last up to 4–6 months.
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but colic often ties back to a mix of:
Digestive immaturity
Sensitivity to certain foods
Overstimulation and difficulty self-soothing
Nervous system development
For babies, colic shows up as inconsolable crying, poor sleep, and digestive discomfort.
For parents, colic leads to exhaustion, helplessness, and constant worry.
Why colic is so stressful for parents.
Mom is already recovering from pregnancy and birth. Dad is getting used to the new routine of having a new baby.
Your sleep is disrupted, mom's body is trying to heal, and the whole family is adjusting to a brand-new person in the home.
Add hours of crying that you can’t soothe, and it’s easy to feel like you’re failing—even though you aren’t.
Colic can:
Keep everyone from getting rest
Strain your relationship with your partner and kids
Make you feel isolated and guilty
Shake your confidence as a parent
This stress isn’t your fault. It’s the reality of what colic does to the whole family.
How chiropractic can help babies with colic.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments for infants are incredibly safe. These tiny adjustments often bring baby immediate relief.
Here’s how chiropractic care can help with your colicky baby:
Nervous system support: Infant adjustments can help the nerves that control digestion and relaxation work better
Digestive improvement: Better nerve communication can ease tummy troubles and gas
Relaxation response: Many babies visibly relax and even sleep better after a gentle adjustment
Many parents report that their little one sleeps better, poops better, and cries less after they come to see me at Cloud Peak Chiro.
How chiropractic can help parents of colicky babies.
Colic doesn’t just affect babies—it takes a toll on parents, too. When babies are colicky, parents are stressed out and running on fumes.
Chiropractic adjustments can ease neck, shoulder, and back tension.
New parents often develop tightness and pain from constant holding and rocking. The sleepless nights make this tension even worse.
You can help ease your baby’s colic at home.
You can support your baby’s comfort with gentle stretches. Think of these as calming motions that help settle what's disturbing them:
Bicycle legs: Slowly move your baby’s legs in a pedaling motion to ease gas
Knees to tummy: Gently press bent legs toward the belly to relieve pressure
Tummy time: A few minutes on their belly helps strengthen muscles and regulate digestion
I have also recorded a video called Stretches for babies with tension. You can watch it on our YouTube channel.
Always keep stretches gentle, playful, and short. If your baby resists, stop and try again later.
You can also help ease your own stress with these simple strategies.
You're not an infinite resource of care for your baby and others. You need to restore your energy and calm to stay balanced, focused and capable.
Here are self-care tools that can help manage the effects of stress:
Breathwork: Try slow, deep breathing all the way into your belly. Long, slow exhales signal safety to your nervous system
Supplements:
Stress Essentials Adrenal Recovery to replenish your depleted system
Fish oil to support brain health and resilience
Vitamin D3 for mood and stress regulation
GoodNight to support restful sleep
Movement: Even a short walk or stretch can downregulate your stress response cycle
Stress is such a negative influence on your health.
I spend a lot of time educating people on managing their stress to feel better and support their immune system. It’s that important to your overall quality of life!
If you want to learn more, I’ve discussed methods for easing the effects of stress in the podcast I co-host.
Check out Episode 8 of The ChiroMom podcast, where we dive into the Stress Response Cycle and how to break it.
There is life on the other side of colic!
Imagine your baby finally sleeping for longer stretches. Or pooping without discomfort. How restful would it be if they were less fussy?
Imagine yourself feeling calmer, more rested, and more confident. Your family routines settled.
What if bonding could feel more joyful and less stressful?
With the right support for your baby and yourself, you can get there.
You don’t have to just “wait it out.”
Colic is tough, but you don’t have to suffer through it. Chiropractic care, baby stretches, and parental self-care can create a bridge from chaos to calm.
Relief for your baby can mean relief for you, too.
If your little one is struggling—and you are, too—let’s talk. Come see us at Cloud Peak Chiropractic. We’ll care for your baby with gentle, safe adjustments, and we’ll give you tools to care for yourself, too.
We’re in both Worland and Thermopolis. Call or text us to schedule your visit.