Colic & Infant Reflux
Few things are harder as a new parent than a baby who seems to be in constant discomfort — excessive crying, arching, or reflux that doesn't seem to improve. At Two Sparrows, we offer gentle pediatric chiropractic evaluation as one option to explore alongside your pediatrician's guidance.
Understanding Colic and Reflux
Colic and reflux are often mentioned together, but they're technically distinct patterns — understanding the difference can help you describe your baby's symptoms more precisely.
Why It Happens
Birth, even an uncomplicated one, puts real physical stress on a baby's small body, particularly the neck and upper spine. Tension in this area can affect nerve function related to digestion and comfort, which may contribute to colic-like symptoms or reflux in some infants.
Colic vs. Reflux: Key Differences
Colic is generally defined by the "rule of threes": crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby, often without an identifiable cause
Reflux involves the backward flow of stomach contents, causing spit-up, discomfort during or after feeding, and sometimes arching or fussiness tied more specifically to feeding times
Many babies show overlapping symptoms, which is part of why an individualized evaluation matters more than the specific label.
Typical Timeline
Colic classically peaks around 6 weeks of age and often significantly improves by 3-4 months, following a fairly predictable developmental curve as a baby's digestive and nervous systems mature. Reflux often follows a similar improvement pattern as babies develop more muscle control around the esophagus.
Common Contributing Factors
Immature digestive system, which is developmentally normal in early infancy
Feeding technique and latch quality
Swallowed air during feeding or crying
Tension in the neck or upper spine affecting nerve function related to digestion
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Contact your pediatrician promptly for: poor weight gain, forceful/projectile vomiting, blood in spit-up or stool, fever, or a baby who seems unusually lethargic — these require prompt medical evaluation beyond typical colic or reflux.
Excessive, difficult-to-soothe crying, especially in the evening
Arching of the back during or after feeding
Frequent spit-up or reflux symptoms
General fussiness and difficulty settling
Symptoms We Commonly See
Our Approach
We perform a gentle evaluation of your baby's neck and spine, looking for any areas of restricted movement. If appropriate, we use extremely light, specific adjustments — nothing like an adult adjustment — aimed at supporting normal function.
This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your pediatrician about your baby's symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, when performed by a chiropractor with specific pediatric training. Adjustments for infants use only a few ounces of pressure, similar to testing the ripeness of a tomato.
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No — chiropractic care is meant to complement, not replace, your pediatrician's guidance, especially for ongoing or concerning symptoms.
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This varies by baby — some parents notice changes within a few visits, while others take longer. We'll discuss realistic expectations at your first visit.
— not endless nights of a baby who can't be soothed, leaving you both exhausted and searching for answers.
Sometimes that means looking beyond the obvious, and toward gentle, whole-body care that supports how your child's body was designed to grow, move, and heal.
Holistic, non-invasive, Gonstead chiropractic care helps to provide a clear and hopeful path forward for you and your family, meeting your child exactly where they are, right from those very first, tender weeks of life.
You don't have to have all the answers today — just a willingness to explore what's possible, one gentle step at a time.