How to support your baby with Colic in Wellington
Is Your Baby Crying for Hours a Day? Here’s What Might Be Going On
If your baby cries for long stretches, often in the evenings and nothing seems to soothe them, you’re not alone. We’ve supported many families going through this exact experience. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, and it’s completely normal to want answers.
Colic affects around one in four babies, and while it’s common, that doesn’t make it any easier for families trying everything to help their little one settle. The good news? There is hope and help.
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we take a deeper look at colic through the lens of the nervous system. Rather than focusing only on digestion, we explore how a baby’s developing nervous system may be under stress, leading to the symptoms many associate with colic: long periods of inconsolable crying, disrupted sleep, discomfort, and difficulty settling.
What Is Colic, Really?
Colic is typically defined as crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or more. The crying often seems to come out of nowhere, without any obvious cause like hunger or a dirty nappy. Babies with colic may arch their backs, clench their fists, and appear red in the face, clearly uncomfortable but unable to tell us what’s wrong.
This type of crying is more than a tough phase. It’s often a signal that your baby’s nervous system is having trouble shifting into a calm, restful state. In our experience, this shows up as an imbalance in what’s known as the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which plays a major role in digestion, sleep, and overall comfort.
What Could Be Causing the Discomfort?
We often talk about something called The Perfect Storm, a combination of factors that can contribute to nervous system stress in babies. This might include:
Prenatal stress during pregnancy
Birth interventions like forceps, vacuum, or caesarean deliveries
Physical tension or strain in the upper neck and spine
Environmental stressors in the early weeks of life
All of these can impact the vagus nerve, a key player in regulating digestion and calming responses in babies. When this system is overwhelmed, symptoms like colic can appear.
Looking Beyond Diet Alone
Many parents are advised to change their baby’s formula or eliminate certain foods when breastfeeding. While these changes can help some babies, they’re often only part of the picture. If your baby is still struggling even after trying dietary tweaks, it may be time to look deeper.
The nervous system is the body’s master communicator. If it’s under stress, digestion and rest don’t work as smoothly as they should-no matter what’s in the diet. That’s why our care focuses on calming and rebalancing this system from the inside out.
A Gentle, Baby-Centred Approach
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we use safe, gentle techniques designed specifically for infants to help ease stress in the nervous system. Adjustments for babies are very different from those for adults, they involve soft touch and calming techniques that support relaxation and healthy neurological function.
We also offer families support in other ways:
Calming routines and environments
Babywearing and bonding practices
Tummy time tips for brain and body development
Nutritional guidance if needed
There Is Help, and There Is Hope
Colic doesn’t have to take over your family’s early days. With the right support, it’s possible to uncover the root of your baby’s discomfort and create a plan for lasting calm and comfort.
If your little one is showing signs of colic, reach out. We’re here to walk alongside you with care, clarity, and a plan that honours both your baby’s needs and your family’s wellbeing.
