Colic, Latch Struggles & Sleepless Nights:
What Pediatric Chiropractic Can (and Can’t) Do
Let’s be honest: no one prepares you for the helpless feeling of a baby who cries for hours… and you don’t know why. If you’re reading this through bleary, sleep-deprived eyes while bouncing a baby on your shoulder and Googling for answers — take a breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.
At Twin Pine Family Chiropractic, we’ve worked with many families walking through the fog of colic, latch issues, reflux, and restless nights. And while we’d love to say we have the magic solution, here’s what we truly believe:
We’re not the fix. We’re your partner.
Chiropractic doesn’t cure colic — but it may help support your baby’s nervous system as they adapt to life outside the womb.
Let’s unpack what that really means.
What Is Pediatric Chiropractic, Really?
(And yes, it’s very gentle)
Pediatric chiropractic care looks very different from what most adults imagine. Infant adjustments use light, sustained pressure, often compared to the amount of pressure you’d use to check the ripeness of an avocado. There is no twisting, cracking, or forceful movement.
The focus is on supporting the nervous system, the body’s primary communication system between the brain and the rest of the body.
When there is tension or restriction in the spine or cranium, it can affect how efficiently the nervous system communicates. This may show up as challenges with:
Latching and sucking
Digestive regulation (such as gas, reflux-like discomfort, or colic)
Sleep transitions and cycles
Overall comfort and ease in the body
Pediatric chiropractic care is about supporting your baby’s ability to adapt, regulate, and grow, gently and respectfully.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) provides detailed information on safety, research, and practitioner education.
How Might Chiropractic Help with…
Colic
Colic isn’t a disease or something wrong with your baby.
It’s a term used to describe frequent, intense crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
From a nervous system perspective, colic is often seen as a sign that a baby is still learning how to adapt and regulate outside the womb. Newborns are adjusting to digestion, movement, light, sound, and touch. When that system feels overwhelmed, crying becomes their main form of communication.
Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on supporting the nervous system and reducing stress on a baby’s developing body. Gentle adjustments are designed to improve communication between the brain and body, helping babies feel more comfortable, relaxed, and better able to self-soothe.
Some parents notice their babies seem more comfortable after chiropractic care, especially when:
Body tension decreases
Feeding or sleeping feels easier
Their baby appears calmer overall
But here’s the thing:
Chiropractic care doesn’t fix babies
It supports their body’s natural ability to adapt, settle, and heal as they grow.
Latch and Breastfeeding Issues
Breastfeeding is natural — but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.
Feeding requires coordination between a baby’s nervous system, jaw, tongue, neck, and body. When there is tension or stress, feeding can feel uncomfortable or frustrating for both baby and parent.
If your baby:
Difficulty latching or staying latched
Clicking sounds or shallow latch
Gassiness, reflux-like symptoms, or fussiness during feeds
Feeding that feels tiring or takes a long time
Baby preferring one side
Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on gently supporting the nervous system and easing tension in the neck, spine, and jaw. By improving communication between the brain and body, chiropractic care may help babies feed more comfortably and efficiently.
Sleep
Ah, sleep. Every parent’s favorite fantasy.
A regulated nervous system supports smoother sleep transitions, less startle reflex, and easier digestion.
We can’t promise eight hours (sorry — still not unicorns), but many parents report calmer evenings and smoother naps with nervous system-focused care.
Real Talk from Dr. Sharon & Dr. Jen:
What We Focus On
We support families through chiropractic care that gently and respectfully supports a baby’s developing nervous system.
That means we:
Use light, specific adjustments appropriate for infants, including gentle cranial work
Observe how your baby moves, rests, feeds, and settles
Partner with parents every step of the way
Chiropractic care is the foundation of how we support your baby’s ability to adapt, regulate, and grow.
At times, we also collaborate with other practitioners to support your family as a whole.
Our goal is simple:
your baby’s comfort — and your confidence as parents
When to Consider a Pediatric Chiropractic Visit
Here are signs we commonly see in babies who may benefit from gentle chiropractic care:
Prefers turning head one direction only
Stiff or arched back when held
Fussiness after feeds
Signs of gas or constipation
Trouble settling or napping
Birth trauma, fast or prolonged labor
Ear infections
But our favorite?
When mom and dad were supported before conception, through pregnancy, and now the whole family — parents and baby — are being checked and supported together postpartum.
FAQ
(For You AND Google 😉)
Final Word from Dr. Sharon and Dr. Jen
Postpartum can be overwhelming.
Your baby is learning about the outside world. You’re learning parenthood and a changing body. And your partner is learning how to support you both. The fourth trimester is rarely talked about, but it matters.
This is a season where support helps the whole family.
It’s okay to ask for help and build a postpartum team — whether that’s your village, a postpartum doula, or trusted care providers who can support you through this transition.
Let’s navigate this together.
Twin Pine Family Chiropractic is here when you’re ready.
Your Next Step
(No Pressure, Just a Conversation)
If you’re wondering whether chiropractic might help your baby, we’d love to chat. Our initial visits are relaxed, educational, and focused on your goals, whether that’s less crying, easier nursing, or just wanting someone to take a closer look.
Book a Complimentary Consult with Twin PIne
No obligation. No sales pitch. Just a conversation with someone who cares.
Call us at (518) 853-1567
