Do Infants Really Grow Out of Colic?

What Fussy Babies and Kids with ADHD Have in Common

If you’re caring for a colicky baby, you’ve likely heard this phrase more than once: “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it.” It sounds comforting, but it’s not the full truth. Babies don’t simply outgrow colic, they grow into other challenges.

The endless crying, the sleepless nights, the back arching that leaves you questioning everything... these aren’t just phases. They’re your baby’s way of communicating that their little nervous system is under stress.

The Connection Most Parents Never Hear About

Every week, parents bring their seven-year-olds into healthcare offices who are struggling with sensory issues, ADHD, or anxiety. 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 Traditional Approaches Don’t Bring Lasting Relief

You’ve probably tried everything: cutting out foods, changing formulas, tracking every feeding, trying every drop, gripe water, and gas remedy you can find. You're following countless pieces of advice from family, friends and late night Google searches. You’re exhausted and discouraged, probably wondering what you’re missing.

Here’s the truth: you’re not missing the “right product.” You're not doing anything wrong. You’re simply missing the the root cause of your baby's fussiness.

Colic Starts Deeper Than Digestion

Most people assume colic is all about digestion: gas, reflux, or food sensitivities. While these symptoms are real and distressing, they're only part of the story. But the digestive system is controlled entirely by the nervous system.

Think of your baby’s nervous system as their internal air traffic controller. This system coordinates every function in their tiny body. When that system is stressed or overwhelmed, digestion, sleep, and emotional regulation all get thrown off.

The vagus nerve, often called the “master nerve,” runs from the brainstem down through the neck, guiding vital functions like swallowing, digestion, and gut movement. When birth trauma or tension affects this nerve, it can cause the entire digestive system to slow down and struggle.

This is why it’s time to see colic in a new light. It’s not just a phase your baby will outgrow, it’s a sign that their nervous system is STUCK.

• Baby may have gotten stuck during delivery

• Stress remains stuck in their nervous system

• Digestion gets stuck

• Your baby stays stuck in a cycle of distress

The Hidden Trigger Few Talk About: Birth Trauma

Almost every colicky baby we see has experienced some form of birth intervention: such as a C-section, vacuum or forceps delivery, or induction. These interventions, while sometimes medically necessary, create physical stress on the upper neck area where crucial nerves originate.

Stress can also start before birth. During pregnancy, your stress hormones pass through the umbilical cord. If you experienced anxiety, physical discomfort, or stress during pregnancy, your baby's nervous system was already on high alert before they even arrived.

That physical tension tends to get trapped in two areas, the upper neck and the mid-back. So when babies arch their backs or stiffen their necks, they’re instinctively trying to stretch out that tension.

Your baby is communicating the only way they can, through their body language, that the problem isn't in their stomach, it's in their nervous system.

What Happens When Stress Stays Stuck

When the underlying nervous system stress isn’t addressed, it often unfolds in a predictable pattern:

• Colic (0–6 months): Crying, reflux, digetsive struggles, sleep troubles

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

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

• Sensory struggles (3–5 years): Over-sensitivity to noise, textures, or environments

• ADHD or anxiety (5–10 years): Difficulty focusing or regulating emotions

The symptoms change as children grow, but the same underlying tension remains.

To make matters worse, repeated antibiotics and medications can disrupt gut health and place even more stress on the nervous system. Now you have a child heading toward emotional and behavioral challenges, and traditional therapies may feel like pushing a car with the parking brake still on.

Reading Your Baby’s Body Language

When your baby cries, arches their back, or struggles to settle, they’re giving you important clues. That back arching isn’t about gas bubbles or reflux, it’s your baby's instinctive attempt to release tension in their nervous system.

Just as you might stretch your neck and back after a stressful day, your baby is trying to relieve the physical tension stored in their body from their birth.

Why Early Action Matters

The first step to helping your child heal and thrive is understanding that colic isn't something you have to just "wait out." Your baby isn't broken, defective, or unusually difficult, they're stuck in a stress pattern that can be addressed.

The earlier you address nervous system stress, the faster children heal. This is because of neuroplasticity, the brain's amazing ability to form new connections and patterns, especially in infancy and early childhood.

What You Can Do Right Now

Trust your instincts. You know your child best. If something feels off, listen to that voice.

Find a provider who understands the nervous system. Look for practitioners trained to assess and support the neurological roots of colic and related issues.

Reflect on your birth story. Were there interventions, a long labor, or stress during pregnancy? This information can provide valuable clues.

Look beyond symptom relief. Quick fixes can help short-term, but true healing happens with practitioners who want to address root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

Track patterns. Keep notes on when your baby struggles most, what brings relief, and any family history of similar challenges. This information can be valuable for healthcare providers.

Your Baby Deserves More Than “They’ll Grow Out of It”

Your baby doesn't need more labels, more medications to manage symptoms, or parents who feel helpless and exhausted. They need their nervous system to shift from a stressed, stuck state to a balanced, thriving state.

When that stuck tension is addressed properly, families often see remarkable transformations. Babies who once cried constantly become content and happy. Sleep improves. Digestion settles. The whole family dynamic shifts.

Parents, Hear Us On This

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. If you feel something is off, you're probably right!

Your child isn't broken, they're stuck. And with the right approach, they can get have relief.

At Tiffin Family Chiropractic, we understand that colic is often a nervous system issue masquerading as a digestive problem, and we know how to address it appropriately. Hope, answers, and help are available, and we want to provide that for you, so please give us a call today! We have seen truly incredible transformations in colicky babies in our office (See Liam and Lucy's Stories of Hope!). If you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.

The earlier you take action to support your baby's nervous system health, the better their outcomes will be: not just for colic, but for their overall development, learning, behavior, and emotional regulation as they grow. We can't wait to see them heal and thrive!