Few things are as hard on new parents as a baby who cries for hours and can't be soothed. Colic is usually defined as crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby. It typically starts in the first few weeks and fades by three to four months.
Start with your pediatrician
Before assuming it's colic, have your baby checked by the pediatrician. Crying can also be a sign of hunger, reflux, a milk-protein allergy, an infection or another problem that needs medical care.
What parents try
Common soothing approaches include swaddling, gentle rocking or motion, white noise, holding your baby upright after feeds, and checking feeding technique with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
What about chiropractic?
Some parents ask about gentle chiropractic care for colic. Research on it is limited and the results are mixed, so we can't promise it will help. If you'd like us to see your baby, we'll take a full history, use only very gentle, light-touch techniques suited to infants, and work alongside your pediatrician, never instead of them.
Take care of yourself too
It's okay to put your baby down safely in the crib and take a few minutes to breathe. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to your doctor, family or friends.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Our doctors are doctors of chiropractic (D.C.), not medical doctors. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.