How Babies Get Colic + What You Can Do About It

Infantile colic is a condition that can be both frustrating and controversial for parents. Many conventional pediatricians mistakenly state that "some babies just get colic" and "don't worry, they'll grow out of it." However, there is ongoing debate about the root causes of colic and how babies develop this condition. In this blog post, we'll break down the science behind colic, keep it simple, and discuss safe and natural ways to help ease your little one's constant crying and discomfort.

If your baby is struggling with colic and you’re desperate for answers and relief from the constant crying and sleepless nights, this is for you! If your gut is telling you that it’s not normal that your baby is constantly crying, uncomfortable, arching their back, and cranking their neck to try and find some relief - keep reading.  

We are going to reveal how overall neurological function can resolve many of your child’s health struggles! Learn gentle ways to stimulate the nervous system, plus specialized chiropractic care to detect and address vagus nerve dysfunction without drugs or surgery. 

The Most Overlooked Trigger of Colic

One of the most overlooked yet obvious initial triggers of colic is an overstressed and subluxated nervous system. At Live Well Family Chiropractic, we often find that the vast majority of colic patients have at least one of the following stressors in their case history:

1. A high-stress or high-risk pregnancy

2. Birth interventions such as forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, epidural, or c-section that can physically injure and alter the function of the nerves and muscles of the upper neck

These interventions can impact various functions, including sleeping, latching, breastfeeding, swallowing, digestion, and gross motor development, like turning the head and tummy time. These common initial stressors can cause the infant's nervous system to become highly sensitive and stuck in a sympathetic fight or flight mode.

Jackson’s Story of Hope

Consider the story of baby Jackson, who struggled with bad reflux, gas pains, and trouble sleeping at night as an infant. Jackson's mom shared, "It was very difficult for us to try and navigate being first-time parents and having Jackson struggling with these issues! It was hard to see Jackson so upset and unhappy because he was always so uncomfortable."

Fortunately, Jackson's parents took action and brought him to their holistic pediatrician, who always looked for the root cause of a child's struggles rather than just treating the symptoms. Recognizing that the stress of a very fast labor and delivery could be part of the root cause, the pediatrician referred Jackson to a pediatric chiropractor.

Jackson's mom reported, "Jackson started getting adjusted when he was 9 weeks old, and within the first couple of weeks, we definitely started to see changes! We first noticed that he was no longer having constant gas pains and didn't seem as uncomfortable anymore. Within the first month, his colic seemed to disappear, and we started to see Jackson's happy and silly personality coming through."

With continued care, Jackson transformed into "a completely different baby" compared to when he first started treatment. His colic and stomach pains were completely gone, his reflux had improved, and he was even sleeping through the night! Now, as a toddler, Jackson's mom says, "He is truly the happiest and is always smiling and laughing. We could not be more thankful to have found our pediatric chiropractor – they've taught us so much about chiropractic care and the benefits it could provide to Jackson. Thank you for giving us our happy boy back!"

Sympathetic Dominance and Its Effects

When an infant's nervous system is stuck in a sympathetic fight or flight mode, they may struggle with basic health functions such as sleeping, eating, pooping, and moving. Parents often innately know that something within their little one's body is not working well, including both "internal" muscles that control digestion and "external" muscles of the neck and spine. This is why infants with colic often struggle more after eating and are constantly arching their neck and back.

Many parents of colicky infants have already tried removing dairy and other common foods that have a higher risk of allergies and intolerances. Some families have also had their children's tongue or oral ties surgically revised and clipped. While tongue and oral ties can cause trouble with latching, nursing, and discomfort, it's essential to look deeper at the root cause of these issues. If a child's nervous system is stuck in a sympathetic fight or flight mode, it can leave all the muscles and ligaments of the body extra wound tight and tense. Even if the tongue and oral ties are surgically revised, the tension may remain in the nervous system and other important parts of the body.

Finding the Real Root Cause

While most people look to the stomach or digestive system for the root cause of colic, it's often found even deeper within the nervous system and its control and coordination of digestive motility, absorption, and elimination. When tension and subluxation build up along the neurospinal system, a colicky baby will often arch their back and crane their neck, trying to release or dissipate that tension themselves. This is an almost sure sign that the root cause of their discomfort is neurospinal discomfort and tension, not merely digestive dysfunction.

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care is a gentle, non-invasive approach that can help address the underlying neurological factors contributing to colic. Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractors are specifically trained to identify and correct subluxations (misalignments) in the spine that can interfere with proper nervous system function. By restoring balance to the nervous system, chiropractic care can help relieve symptoms of colic and promote overall health and well-being in infants.

At Live Well Family Chiropractic, our doctors use a combination of thorough assessments and advanced technology called Neurological INSiGHT Scans to detect and measure the presence of subluxation and neurological dysfunction or sympathetic dominance in colicky infants. This targeted approach allows us to develop personalized care plans that address each child's unique needs.

Benefits of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care for Colic 

In addition to helping alleviate the symptoms of colic, chiropractic care can offer a range of other benefits for infants and children. These may include:

1. Improved sleep quality and duration

2. Enhanced immune system function

3. Better digestion and reduced digestive discomfort

4. Increased range of motion and flexibility

5. Support for healthy brain and nervous system development

It's important to note that chiropractic care is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution, and results may vary from child to child. However, many parents have reported significant improvements in their babies' comfort, happiness, and overall well-being following chiropractic care.

So, if you're ready to find real answers and drug-free solutions for your baby's colic, consider scheduling an initial consultation with one of our docs at Live Well Family Chiropractic. With the right approach, you can help your little one find the peace, comfort, and restful sleep you both desperately need. Don't spend another exhausting night wondering if there's hope – take action and seek the support your family deserves.

If you are not local to us, please check out the PX Docs directory to find a PX Doc near you. By addressing the root cause of colic through gentle, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, you can help your baby thrive and enjoy a happier, healthier childhood.

Tired Of Endless Medications, Diet Changes, And Supplements For Inflammation? There May Be More Going On

As parents, we always want the best for our children's health. If your child struggles with chronic illnesses, you may have turned to traditional medical approaches or even explored biomedical interventions. However, there may be a hidden cause of inflammation that is often overlooked: vagus nerve dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation.

It's a common saying that "inflammation is the root of all disease," and while it does play a significant role in many chronic illnesses, including those affecting the gut, immune system, brain, and nervous system, it's not the whole story. Conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and epilepsy have been linked to chronic inflammation, but addressing inflammation alone may not be enough to resolve these issues.

According to recent research, approximately 27% of children in the United States have a chronic condition, and 1 in 15 have multiple chronic conditions. These numbers are on the rise, indicating that traditional medical approaches may not be effectively addressing the root causes of these health challenges. This is where the role of the nervous system and vagus nerve comes into play.

The Missing Piece: Stress and Nervous System Dysfunction 

While traditional and biomedical approaches often focus on diet changes, detoxes, and supplements to combat inflammation, they are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Chronic stress is a significant contributor to inflammation, even in children, and can lead to dysfunction in the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system.

The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, plays a vital role in regulating the parasympathetic "rest and digest" response. When this nerve becomes compromised due to subluxations or interference along its pathway, it can lead to gut and immune system dysfunction, allowing inflammation to run rampant.

The Vagus Nerve-Immune System Connection 

Recent scientific findings have revealed a significant connection between the vagus nerve and the immune system, specifically in the control and regulation of inflammation. When the vagus nerve is functioning properly, it helps to keep inflammation in check. However, when the nerve becomes dysfunctional, the body's ability to manage inflammation is compromised, leading to a wide range of chronic health issues.

So, how can you determine if your child's vagus nerve is stressed and dysfunctional? Neurological INSiGHT Scans, particularly NeuroThermal testing, can detect areas of subluxation, nervous system interference, inflammation, and temperature changes in the spine, indicating vagus nerve dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation.

Another valuable tool is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) testing, which measures the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This test can reveal dysautonomia and the body's ability to manage stress and inflammation.

The Path to Healing 

If your child is struggling with inflammation-related symptoms, such as immune or autoimmune disorders, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, seizures, or other neuroimmune-related health challenges, it's time to look beyond just managing symptoms and addressing inflammation through diet changes and supplements.

Balancing the autonomic nervous system and optimizing vagus nerve function is essential for resolving persistent inflammation that does not respond to either traditional or biomedical interventions. By identifying and addressing the root cause of your child's chronic inflammation and health struggles, you can set them on the path to true healing and wellness.

Once vagus nerve dysfunction has been identified, there are various safe, simple, and gentle ways to stimulate and activate this essential part of the nervous system. These methods can help to restore balance and reduce inflammation.

As parents, we want you to be informed about the various factors that contribute to your children's health challenges. If you suspect that your child may be struggling with vagus nerve dysfunction, consider scheduling a consultation at Live Well Family Chiropractic to identify the underlying issues and start your child's journey to optimal health. If you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find a local PX Doc near you. Remember, addressing the root cause of your child's health challenges is the key to a healthier and more vibrant life for your child!

Experience Miracles with Chiropractic

As a parent, there's nothing more heart-wrenching than watching your child struggle with chronic neurological issues like Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, and Epilepsy. The search for answers and explanations can be frustrating and often leaves you feeling hopeless, especially when the traditional medical system fails to provide the support and solutions you desperately need.

We want to dive into what's really causing your child’s chronic health issues. We want to help you finally uncover the hidden sequence of stress, physical injury, and exposure to toxins that happens during “critical” and “sensitive” periods of development that still continue to be overlooked and dismissed by conventional doctors. You will get the answers you’ve been searching for and find a like-minded community through the Experience Miracles Podcast.

The Rising Tide of Chronic Health Challenges in Children 

The statistics surrounding chronic health challenges in children are alarming. Approximately 27% of children in the U.S., around 22 million, are affected by chronic health issues. ADHD affects around 9.4% of children aged 2-17, which equates to about 6.1 million children. Autism Spectrum Disorder now affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S., with the numbers projected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Anxiety disorders affect approximately 7.1% of children aged 3-17 in the U.S., suggesting about 4.4 million children, with a massive uptick since 2010 and 2012 when smartphones and social media became more accessible. Learning disorders, sensory processing disorder, asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases also affect millions of children across the country.

The Perfect Storm: Overlooked Triggers of Chronic Illness in Kids 

Despite these staggering numbers, many parents find themselves dismissed by pediatricians, watching helplessly as their children fail to "grow out of" early life challenges such as colic, constipation, chronic ear infections, and missed milestones. What conventional doctors often overlook is what we call "The Perfect Storm" – a combination of early life stressors that can lead to chronic health issues in children.

This "Perfect Storm" often begins with prenatal stress, which can hardwire a developing baby's nervous system for stress and anxiety. The umbilical cord acts as an electrical "power cord," transmitting stress hormones from the mother to the baby. Birth interventions, such as C-sections, forceps, and vacuum extraction, can cause physical trauma to the delicate upper neck and brainstem, leading to neurological dysfunction and subluxations. Overuse of antibiotics and constant exposure to toxins early in a child's life can disrupt the gut microbiome, causing inflammation and a host of additional issues.

Empowering Parents with Knowledge and Understanding 

To help parents navigate this Perfect Storm, we're excited to introduce "The Experience Miracles Podcast" hosted by Dr. Tony Ebel, a world-renowned Pediatric Health Expert. This podcast is designed to arm parents with the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed decisions about their child's health.

In each episode, Dr. Tony breaks down important terms and concepts such as Vagus Nerve Dysfunction, Nervous System Dysregulation, Dysautonomia, Subluxation, Sympathetic Dominance, and more. He also introduces incredible technologies and neurological healing options like HRV and Neuro-Tonal Chiropractic Adjustments. These are topics that no other doctor or pediatric health expert is discussing, but they hold the key to safe, effective, natural, and drug-free healing options for your entire family.

What sets "The Experience Miracles Podcast" apart is Dr. Tony's unique ability to explain complex neurological concepts in a simple, entertaining, and engaging way. As a father to four children, including his own "Perfect Storm" and "miracle" son Oliver, Dr. Tony addresses chronic illness in kids from both a doctor and parent perspective.

One mother shared her experience with the podcast, saying, "I have learned an immense amount from this podcast, and I look forward to new episode releases! Dr. Tony explains complex neurological concepts in a simple and entertaining way while also helping me connect the dots and answer questions that no one else has been able to for our kids."

Your Journey Towards Hope and Healing Starts Here 

If you're ready to start your journey towards hope, answers, and drug-free healthcare options for your child, subscribe to "The Experience Miracles Podcast" with Dr. Tony Ebel today. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of the root causes behind Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Seizures, and Sensory Issues in kids, but you'll also have access to interviews with world-renowned pediatric natural health experts like Dr. Josh Axe.

The Experience Miracles Podcast is more than just a source of information; it's a community of like-minded parents who are tired of being dismissed by the traditional medical system and are ready to take control of their children's health. By subscribing to the podcast, you'll join a supportive network of parents navigating the same challenges and seeking the same solutions.

Don't wait another day to start your child's journey towards optimal health and well-being. Subscribe to the Experience Miracles podcast now and take the first step towards transforming your child's life. With Dr. Tony Ebel as your guide, you'll gain the knowledge, tools, and support you need to help your child thrive and reach their full potential.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. The Experience Miracles Podcast is here to empower you, inspire you, and provide you with the hope and answers you've been searching for.