Chiroblog

For new parents, the first few weeks after birth can bring on a lot of challenges. Adjusting to the changes can be even more difficult if the newborn is suffering from infantile colic. This common condition is characterized by abdominal discomfort, resulting in the infant crying excessively which the parents are unable to console. Research suggests that almost 20% of newborns and infants may be affected by colic, with symptoms starting around week 2 or 3 and typically resolving before the child reaches 6 months of age. However, the cause of infantile colic is not fully understood. Factors that are proposed to contribute to this condition are sensitivity to certain foods (especially dairy), feeding techniques, overfeeding, underfeeding, insufficient burping and even maternal diet, with the mom’s consumption of dairy being a supposed culprit (1).

The result is an uncomfortable baby and parents that are stressed and unable to get the rest they need. Several studies have examined the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care in the treatment of colic. One of them, a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial conducted in Denmark, recruited infants age 2-14 weeks presenting with symptoms of infantile colic. These children were divided into a treatment and a control group. The infants in the treatment group were adjusted twice a week for 2 weeks using very light, fingertip pressure and gentle massage of any potential tight muscles. Their parents were asked to keep a diary of how many hours their children were crying, and how many hours they were awake and happy. Once the study was completed, the treatment group demonstrated a reduction of excessive crying by half an hour, without adverse side effects. Over 90% of the parents were content that they joined the study (2).  Chiropractic therefore can be of possible benefit to colicky infants and should be considered a safe and effective alternative to other more traditional treatments. 

1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518962/

2) https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-021-00371-8