When Crying May Be Coming from the Belly
If you’ve had a baby with colic, you know the feeling.
The crying that seems to come out of nowhere.
The arching back.
The tight little belly.
Pulling the legs up.
The gas.
The sleepless nights.
Parents often hear:
“They’ll grow out of it.”
And many do.
But that doesn’t mean we ignore what’s happening.
Let’s talk about what may be underneath colic and digestive distress.
What Is Colic?
Colic is typically defined as prolonged, unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
But when you look closely at many colicky babies, you often see digestive tension.
Common signs include:
- Bloated or firm abdomen
- Excessive gas
- Frequent spitting up
- Difficulty settling after feeds
- Crying that worsens in the evening
- Arching or stiffening
In many cases, the nervous system and digestive system are both involved.
The Immature Digestive System
A newborn’s digestive system is still learning.
Their:
- Enzyme production is developing
- Gut motility is maturing
- Microbiome is forming
- Nervous system regulation is stabilizing
Gas is normal.
But when coordination between swallowing, digestion, and elimination isn’t smooth, gas becomes trapped.
Trapped gas equals pressure.
Pressure equals crying.
The Gut–Nervous System Connection
The digestive tract is closely connected to the nervous system through the vagus nerve.
When digestion is irritated:
- Sleep becomes lighter
- Muscle tone increases
- Babies become harder to soothe
- Crying escalates
If the upper neck or mid-back has tension — sometimes from birth mechanics or positioning — nervous system communication to the digestive tract may be less coordinated.
Gentle chiropractic care focuses on restoring motion and reducing tension in those areas.
Not to “cure colic.”
But to support regulation.
Birth Stress and Tension
Even normal births can involve:
- Prolonged labor
- Assisted delivery
- Cesarean section
- In-utero positioning pressure
The upper cervical spine and jaw mechanics influence:
- Latch
- Swallowing
- Air intake during feeding
If a baby swallows excess air, intestinal gas increases.
If feeding mechanics improve, gas often improves.
The Microbiome Factor
A baby’s gut bacteria are forming rapidly in the first months of life.
Factors that influence this include:
- Delivery type
- Antibiotic exposure
- Feeding method
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Environmental exposures
An imbalanced microbiome can contribute to:
- Gas
- Irregular stools
- Reflux
- Skin irritation
- Immune sensitivity
Supporting healthy feeding patterns and, when appropriate, discussing probiotic support can be helpful.
What We Evaluate
When parents bring in a baby for colic or digestive issues, we look at:
- Birth history
- Feeding posture
- Latch mechanics
- Head and neck mobility
- Mid-back tension
- Abdominal comfort
- Bowel patterns
- Sleep rhythm
Adjustments for infants are:
- Extremely gentle
- Specific
- Low-force
- Focused on restoring motion
The amount of pressure used is very light — often compared to checking the ripeness of a tomato.
Safety and comfort come first.
Supporting Babies at Home
In addition to in-office care, we often discuss:
- Upright feeding positions
- Frequent burping
- Gentle tummy time
- Abdominal massage techniques
- Parent stress regulation (babies sense tension)
- Sleep environment consistency
Small shifts can create noticeable improvements.
A Word to Parents
Colic is exhausting.
If your baby is crying for long stretches, it does not mean you’re doing something wrong.
Sometimes their systems are simply immature and need support.
As the nervous system regulates, digestion often improves.
As digestion improves, crying often decreases.
The body is learning.
Our role is to support that learning gently and safely.
Final Thoughts
Colic and intestinal gas are common.
Recurring digestive distress is often a signal that coordination and regulation need support.
When we look at:
- Structure
- Feeding mechanics
- Nervous system balance
- Gut development
We often see meaningful improvement.
Because when the belly feels better, babies feel better.
And when babies feel better — parents finally get some sleep.
Bloomberg Chiropractic Center
Newton, IL
618-783-2424
Need more information: Ask for Dr’s Scott & Luke Bloomberg