Solving the Mystery of Colic

What Exactly Is Colic?
The traditional definition of colic has often relied on how long and how frequently a baby cries. The well-known “rule of three” describes colic as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for at least three weeks.
But does a crying timer really tell us why a baby is crying? Or does it include babies who may be suffering from tummy pain but not showing it by crying, but possibly through other symptoms like being gassy, having trouble sleeping, spitting up, or being tense and uncomfortable when lying on their backs?
Babies don't show these symptoms without a reason.
When a baby repeatedly cries around feeding, appears uncomfortable, has excessive gas or bloating, spits up, or struggles to settle, it may be worth looking beyond the amount of time the baby is crying and asking:
What could be making this baby uncomfortable?

Myth #1: “You Just Have to Wait It Out.”
One of the most frustrating things parents can hear is that they simply have to survive the next few months until their baby “outgrows” colic.
There is certainly a developmental component to infant crying, and many babies do become less fussy as they get older. But that doesn't mean parents have to ignore significant discomfort or assume that nothing can be done.
The families who seek help are often looking for something very simple: they want their baby to be comfortable.
Dr. Scharenberg, D.C., has spent more than 40 years working with babies and families and has developed a gentle approach that focuses on the physical function of the digestive system.
What Has the Colic Doc Seen in Practice?
After decades of working with infants, Dr. Scharenberg has observed patterns in babies who struggle with colic and digestive discomfort.
His approach focuses on helping improve the function of the ileocecal valve, located between the small and large intestines.
His technique is gentle and non-invasive, and his approach does not involve spinal manipulation or medication.
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Myth #2: “Nothing Really Helps Colic.”
When parents have tried everything from changing bottles and formulas to gas drops and other remedies, it can be easy to believe that nothing will help.
But “nothing helps” and “nothing has helped my baby yet” are two very different statements.
Hundreds of parents have shared their stories online, and many seem to say the same thing: they see dramatic improvement in a variety of symptoms after completing treatment with the Colic Doc.

Myth #3: “Medicine Fixes Colic.”
Products such as gripe water, gas drops, and other remedies may be used to try to ease a baby's discomfort. Some babies may experience temporary relief, but relieving a symptom doesn't necessarily tell us what is behind the discomfort.
Prescription medications may also be used when a healthcare provider believes they are appropriate for a baby's particular condition.
For example, famotidine and other acid-reducing medications may be prescribed when reflux or another condition is suspected.
But spitting up does not automatically mean that a baby has acid reflux.
Babies can spit up for a variety of reasons, including overfeeding, swallowing air, and pressure within the digestive system from a weak ileocecal valve. Persistent, forceful vomiting or other concerning symptoms should always be evaluated by a baby's healthcare provider.
The important question is:
Are we only managing what we see, or are we also asking why the baby is uncomfortable?
That distinction is at the heart of the Colic Doc's approach.

Looking Beyond Band-Aid Solutions
The purpose of looking beyond symptom relief isn't to tell parents that medication is bad or that they should stop something their baby's doctor has prescribed.
Instead, it's about recognizing that managing a symptom and understanding what may be contributing to it are two different things.
The Colic Doc's approach focuses on the physical function of the digestive system and a gentle technique designed to strengthen the muscle where the small and large intestines meet.
For parents who feel like they've tried everything, learning about another approach may give them a new question to bring to the conversation about their baby's care.

Myth #4: “Babies Just Outgrow Colic.”
This is one of the most common things parents hear.
And while many babies eventually cry less as they mature, some parents notice that their child's digestive challenges don't necessarily disappear. Instead, what they experience may change as their child grows.
A baby who once struggled with excessive crying may later experience other digestive complaints.
That is why the question shouldn't simply be:
“When will my baby outgrow colic?”
It can also be:
“Why is my baby uncomfortable in the first place?”
Understanding what is happening now may help parents make more informed decisions about how to support their baby's digestive health.

Looking at the Bigger Picture
Colic can be exhausting for the entire family.
Parents lose sleep. Babies struggle to get comfortable. Feeding can become stressful. And after weeks of crying, parents may begin to feel like they have tried everything.
The purpose of solving the mystery of colic is not to blame parents, criticize doctors, or suggest that there is one solution for every baby.
It is to encourage parents to look deeper.
Instead of focusing only on how long a baby cries, consider the whole picture:

• When does the crying happen?
• Is it related to feeding?
• Does your baby seem uncomfortable or bloated?
• Is there excessive gas?
• Is your baby frequently spitting up?
• Does your baby struggle to settle after eating?
• Have you noticed patterns in your baby's behavior?

These details can help parents and healthcare providers better understand what may be happening.
There May Be More Than One Answer
The mystery of colic is complicated because babies are individuals.
There isn't one explanation that fits every crying baby, and parents should always seek appropriate medical evaluation when their baby has concerning symptoms.
But if your baby has been labeled “colicky” and you've been told simply to wait it out, you don't have to stop asking questions.
There may be more to understand about your baby's discomfort.
That is why we created Solving the Mystery of Colic.
To separate the myths from what parents actually experience.
To look beyond the crying.
To look beyond temporary symptom relief.
And most importantly, to help parents understand that they have options when searching for answers.

Want to Learn More
If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Scharenberg's approach to helping babies with colic and digestive discomfort, visit StoppingColic.com.
If you are unable to travel to Wichita, ask about The Colic Doc's online course, which was created to help parents learn his gentle technique from home.
🤍 Your baby doesn't have to be defined by the word “colic.” Sometimes, solving the mystery starts by asking a different question:
“Why is my baby uncomfortable?”