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, the back arching, the 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 in their nervous system.

The Truth About What Happens After Colic

Every week, families come into our office with older children struggling with sensory issues, ADHD, or anxiety. When we look back at their history, a common thread appears: 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 neurological problem never left.

You’re not imagining the connection. And you’re not failing as a parent.

Why Everything You’ve Tried Hasn’t Worked

If you’re here, you’ve probably tried everything—cutting dairy if you’re breastfeeding, keeping food journals, using every colic drop and remedy on the market, adjusting feeding schedules, and following advice from friends, family, and forums.

You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and probably wondering what you’re doing wrong.

The truth? You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just missing the most important piece of the puzzle: your baby’s neurological health.

The Real Root Cause Goes Deeper Than Digestion

Most people think colic is purely digestive—gas, indigestion, food sensitivities. While those symptoms are real, they’re only part of the story.

The digestive system is completely controlled by the nervous system. When the nervous system is stressed, everything else gets stuck—digestion, sleep, development, and emotional regulation.

One major player is the vagus nerve, the “master nerve” connecting the brain to the stomach and intestines. Birth trauma or stress can disrupt this nerve, leaving babies stuck in distress.

That’s why colic isn’t something your baby will simply “outgrow.” It’s a stuck pattern in the nervous system that needs to be addressed.

The Hidden Trigger No One Talks About: Birth Trauma

Nearly every colicky baby has experienced some form of birth intervention—C-sections, forceps, vacuum deliveries, or inductions. Even before birth, stress during pregnancy can transfer directly to your baby through the umbilical cord.

This stress often settles in two areas: the upper neck and mid-back. That’s why colicky babies arch their backs or stiffen their necks—they’re instinctively trying to relieve the tension.

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

The Progression Parents Need to Know

If nervous system stress isn’t addressed early, here’s how it often unfolds:

• Colic (0-6 months): crying, reflux, sleep issues
• Ear infections (6-18 months): repeated antibiotics
• Speech delays (18-36 months): late talking, unclear speech
• Sensory processing (3-5 years): sensitivity to sounds, textures, environments
• ADHD/anxiety (5-10 years): focus issues, emotional dysregulation

It’s not that kids “grow out of colic.” The stress simply shows up in new ways as they grow.

Why Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care Works

This is where neurologically-focused chiropractic care is so different from the typical “wait and see” or “medicate the symptoms” approach.

Using gentle adjustments and technology like insight scans, we can measure and address the nervous system stress patterns that are keeping your baby stuck. When that stress is released, digestion improves, sleep settles, crying decreases, and babies can finally feel comfortable in their own little bodies.

Families often tell us: “It feels like we finally got our baby back.”

Taking Action

Here’s what you can do right now:

• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, you’re right to seek answers.
• Think beyond quick fixes. Drops and diet changes may help symptoms, but they don’t address the root cause.
• Find neurologically-focused care. Look for a chiropractor who specializes in nervous system-based care and uses scans, not just X-rays.
• Document patterns. Your baby’s body language tells a story that can help guide care.

The Bottom Line

Your baby isn’t broken, and you’re not failing. Your baby is simply stuck in a stress pattern that neurologically-focused chiropractic care can help unwind.

At Sprouting Life Chiropractic, we specialize in helping families move from stress to thriving. Colic doesn’t have to define your baby’s start to life — and you don’t have to wait and hope they’ll “grow out of it.”

✨ Hope, answers, and help are available. If you’re local to Chattanooga, we’d love to connect with your family. And if you’re not nearby, check out the PX Docs directory to find a neurologically-focused office near you.