Colic is Misery—But My Baby Will Outgrow It, Right?

If you’re in the thick of those exhausting early days and your baby seems constantly uncomfortable—fussy, gassy, crying for hours, or struggling to sleep—you may have been told, “Don’t worry, it’s just colic. They’ll grow out of it.”
But here’s the truth no one likes to say out loud:
Colic is miserable—for your baby, and for you.
And while it may eventually change, that doesn’t always mean it goes away. So let’s talk about what’s really going on—and whether “waiting it out” is the best we can do.

What We’re Told About Colic
Most medical definitions describe colic as uncontrollable crying for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or longer in an otherwise healthy baby. Parents are often reassured that it's harmless and temporary, usually resolving by the 3-month mark.
So we try to comfort our baby, keep them fed, burp them, rock them, walk laps around the house, and wait for that magic day when the crying is supposed to stop.  But what if it doesn’t?

What If It’s Not Something They Just “Outgrow”?
​Many parents notice that while their baby’s intense crying may lessen, other issues often remain.
Signs of colic in older babies:

• Baby Sleep Troubles
• Baby Digestive Issues
• Constant squirming
• Frequent spit-up or reflux
• Nursing or bottle struggles
• Restlessness, especially when laid down

These are the lingering signs of a baby who is still uncomfortable. And these issues don’t always disappear at 3 months—they often evolve into new challenges as your baby grows.
So the question becomes: Is colic really something babies “grow out of,” or is it something we’ve simply been told to tolerate?


A Closer Look at the Root Cause
D.R. Scharenberg, D.C (Doc)., a chiropractic physician in Wichita, Kansas, has spent over 40 years treating babies with colic symptoms. What he has discovered might surprise you: babies don’t just outgrow colic, the symptoms only change as they get older.
Through years of hands-on experience and research, Doc has identified a key issue in many colicky babies—a small valve called the ileocecal valve, which connects the small and large intestines. If this valve is too weak or doesn't close properly, gas can build up, causing digestion to repeat, resulting in sharp intestinal pains.
In other words: there’s a physical reason your baby is in distress. And the good news? It can helped— by strengthening the weak ileocecal valve.  In over four decades of research, Doc has found that if this valve is not treated, it usually does not strengthen on it’s own. He has observed that babies may cry less as they get older, but they often will develop other symptoms as a result of the gas pains in their tummies

Why “Just Wait It Out” Isn’t Always the Best Advice
D.R. Scharenberg, D.C. has found that that although many babies do improve without colic treatment, the condition of poor digestion and abnormal bowel function is still present in some form. 
Signs of colic in older Children:

• Behavioral Issues
• Fussy
• Restless
• Resists Sleep
• Distended Abdomen
• Constipation or Diarrhea
• Irregularity
• Attachment Issues
• Pulling of their Hair
• Crying
• Low Appetite or Picky Eater
• Walking up throughout the night, Night Terrors

You Don’t Have to Just Survive This
If your baby seems constantly uncomfortable, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and out of options, please know--you are not alone, and there is help. D.R. Scharenberg, D.C.'s gentle colic relief technique has helped thousands of babies and their families find relief. His approach addresses the true cause of colic and teaches parents how to recognize the signs their baby is giving them. You can read more about how to recognize when your baby is in pain here.

Don’t wait and hope it gets better. Help your baby feel better now.  D.R. Scharenberg, D.C.’s in-office colic treatments frequently bring relief in just a few sessions. For families who cannot travel,  a self-guided video course is now available.