Do Infants Grow Out of Colic?

What do fussy babies and kids with ADHD have in common? The answer might surprise you—and empower you to take action.

If you're a parent dealing with a colicky baby, you've probably heard these words from well-meaning healthcare providers: “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it.”But here’s the truth—babies don’t just grow out of colic. They grow into other challenges.

The endless crying, back arching, and sleepless nights that leave you questioning everything you’re doing as a parent—these aren’t just difficult phases that magically disappear. They’re your baby’s way of communicating that something deeper is happening within their nervous system.

The Truth About What Happens After Colic

Every week, parents bring in seven-year-olds struggling with sensory issues, ADHD, or anxiety. And when practitioners dig into these children’s histories, there it is—they were colicky babies.The same stress that caused endless crying at three months old is now causing meltdowns at seven years old. The labels changed, but the underlying problem never left.

You’re not imagining the connection—and you’re certainly not failing as a parent.

Why Everything You’ve Tried Hasn’t Worked

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already tried everything: eliminating dairy if you’re breastfeeding, keeping detailed food journals, trying every colic drop or remedy, adjusting feeding schedules, and following endless advice from family, friends, and online forums.

You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering what you’re doing wrong.Here’s the truth: you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just missing the most important piece of the puzzle.

The Real Root Cause Goes Deeper Than Digestion

Most people think colic is purely a digestive issue—gas, indigestion, food sensitivities. While those symptoms are real and distressing, they’re only part of the story. The digestive system is completely controlled by the nervous system.

Think of your baby’s nervous system as their internal air traffic controller. It coordinates every function in their tiny body. When that controller gets stressed or overwhelmed, everything starts to back up—digestion, sleep, emotional regulation, and development.

The vagus nerve, often called the “master nerve,” travels from the brainstem down through the neck, controlling the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. When birth trauma or stress affects this nerve, digestion literally gets stuck.

That’s why we need to rethink colic. It’s not just a phase—it’s a sign of being stuck:

• Baby gets stuck in the birth canal during delivery

• Stress gets stuck in their nervous system

• Digestion gets stuck

• Your baby stays stuck in distress

  
  

The Hidden Trigger No One Talks About: Birth Trauma

Here’s a pattern that’s impossible to ignore: nearly 100% of colicky babies have experienced some form of birth intervention—C-section, forceps, vacuum extraction, or induction. While these interventions are sometimes necessary, they create physical stress on the upper neck where crucial nerves originate.

And the stress can start even earlier. The umbilical cord acts like a direct line between your nervous system and your baby’s. If you experienced anxiety, physical discomfort, or high stress during pregnancy, your baby’s nervous system was already on alert before birth.

The physical tension from birth tends to get stuck in two key places: the upper neck and the mid-back. This explains why colicky babies arch their backs and stiffen their necks—they’re instinctively trying to stretch out the tension, just like you might after sitting too long.

Your baby’s body language is telling you the problem isn’t in their stomach—it’s in their spine and nervous system.

The Progression Every Parent Should Know

Here’s how things often progress when underlying nervous system stress isn’t addressed:

• Colic (0–6 months): Crying, digestive issues, sleep problems

• Chronic ear infections (6–18 months): Repeated infections needing antibiotics

• Speech delays (18–36 months): Late talking or unclear speech

• Sensory processing issues (3–5 years): Over-sensitivity to sounds, textures, or environments

• ADHD / anxiety (5–10 years): Difficulty focusing, emotional dysregulation

Each stage is the same pattern of “stuck” stress showing up differently as your child grows. The colic didn’t disappear—it transformed into new challenges.

To make matters worse, repeated antibiotics can disrupt gut health, and other medications can increase nervous system stress. At that point, therapies may feel like pushing a car with the parking brake still on.

What Your Baby’s Body Language Is Telling You

When your baby cries inconsolably and arches their back, they’re not just uncomfortable—they’re communicating. That back arching isn’t just about gas or reflux; it’s an instinctive attempt to release built-up tension in their nervous system.

Just like you stretch after a long day, your baby is trying to relieve the tension stored from their birth experience.

Understanding that colic isn’t something you have to “wait out” is the first step to helping your child truly heal. Your baby isn’t broken or unusually difficult—they’re simply stuck in a stress pattern that can be addressed.

The earlier you address nervous system stress, the faster babies and children heal. This is thanks to neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new, healthy connections, especially early in life.

Taking Action: What Parents Can Do

• Trust your instincts. You know your baby best. Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns with “they’ll grow out of it.”

• Find practitioners who understand the nervous system. Look for providers who see the whole child, not just isolated symptoms.

• Reflect on your pregnancy and birth experience. Were there interventions? Stress? Long labor? These clues matter.

• Think beyond quick fixes. Managing symptoms is not the same as addressing the cause.

• Track patterns. Note when your baby struggles most, what helps, and any family history of similar issues.

Your Child Deserves More Than Labels and Management

Your baby doesn’t need more labels or medications. They need their nervous system to shift from a stressed, stuck state to a balanced, thriving one.

When that tension from birth is addressed, families often see remarkable changes—babies who once cried constantly become content and happy, sleep improves, digestion settles, and peace returns to the home.

The Bottom Line for Parents

You are not failing. You are not overreacting. You are not “just anxious new parents.”You are advocates for your child—and your instincts matter.

Your child isn’t broken—they’re stuck. And with the right support, they can get unstuck.

At Bright Futures Chiropractic we understand that colic is often a nervous system issue disguised as a digestive problem, and we know how to help. Hope, answers, and healing are available—don’t hesitate to reach out. The earlier you take action to support your baby’s nervous system, the better their outcomes will be—for colic, for development, and for a calm, thriving future.

818 W 18th St, Chicago, Il 60608

and

914 S Arthur Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Phone: 224.764.1644