It might sound surprising, but the connection between your fussy newborn and a child later diagnosed with ADHD is very real—and understanding it may be the missing link you’ve been searching for.
If you’re a parent navigating colic, you’ve likely heard the common phrase:
“They’ll grow out of it.”
But here’s the truth:
Babies don’t grow out of colic… they grow into other challenges.
That constant crying, the stiff little body, the back arching and sleepless nights? Those aren’t just difficult newborn quirks—they’re early signs of nervous system stress. And unless that stress gets resolved, it doesn’t just disappear—it shows up later in different ways.
What Colic Really Leads To
At Generations Chiropractic, we meet families all the time with older kids who are now facing sensory struggles, focus issues, anxiety, or ADHD diagnoses.
When we start reviewing their history, one pattern almost always shows up:
They were colicky as babies.
The screaming infant who couldn’t settle becomes the 7-year-old who can’t focus, melts down, or reacts strongly to sensory input.
The symptoms evolved, but the nervous system stress remained the same.
You’re not making it up. And you’re absolutely not doing anything wrong.
Why What You’ve Tried Hasn’t Worked
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already:
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Cut dairy out of your diet (if breastfeeding)
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Tried probiotics or colic drops
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Reworked nap schedules and feeding times
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Googled every tip from every forum
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Spent hours bouncing, shushing, and second-guessing yourself
And still, your baby is uncomfortable—and you’re exhausted.
💛 The truth? It’s not your fault. You’re just missing the piece that matters most: the nervous system.
It’s Not Just the Gut—It’s the Nervous System Running the Show
While gas, reflux, and food sensitivities are very real, they’re often symptoms of a deeper problem—not the root cause.
Your baby’s nervous system controls everything—including digestion, sleep, immunity, and emotional regulation. When that system is overwhelmed or stressed, all of those functions get disrupted.
At the core of it all is the vagus nerve—a powerful communication superhighway between the brain and the gut. If this nerve is irritated, compressed, or not functioning well due to birth stress, your baby’s digestion can’t work smoothly. And neither can their sleep, comfort, or calm.
The Real Issue? STUCK.
Here’s what’s really going on when colic takes hold:
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Baby gets stuck during birth—physically or neurologically
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Stress gets stuck in their system
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Digestion gets stuck
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Your baby stays stuck in a distressed, dysregulated state
And this “stuck” pattern doesn’t magically resolve with time.
It just morphs as your child grows.
The Silent Culprit: Birth Stress + Intervention
Here’s a pattern we see time and time again:
Almost every colicky baby we care for has experienced some form of birth intervention—C-section, vacuum, forceps, or a long labor with induction.
Even when medically necessary, these interventions can place physical tension on the upper neck and brainstem—exactly where the vagus nerve originates. This impacts digestion, sleep, and regulation from day one.
But stress doesn’t start at delivery.
If you were anxious, uncomfortable, or overwhelmed during pregnancy, that stress can transfer through the umbilical cord, priming your baby’s nervous system for reactivity before they even arrive.
The Body Language of a Baby in Distress
That classic back arching, clenched fists, and stiff neck?
It’s not just gas.
It’s your baby trying to release tension in the only way they know how.
Think of how you stretch and move after a stressful day—your baby is doing the same thing, instinctively trying to relieve pressure stuck in their spine and nervous system.
It’s not behavioral.
It’s not dramatic.
It’s their only way of communicating.
The Hidden Timeline Most Parents Don’t Know
When the underlying nervous system stress isn’t addressed early, it tends to progress like this:
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0-6 months → Colic, reflux, poor sleep
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6-18 months → Chronic ear infections
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18-36 months → Speech delays
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3-5 years → Sensory processing issues
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5-10 years → ADHD, anxiety, and behavioral struggles
Each stage is the nervous system’s cry for help—expressed differently as your child develops.
The Gut-Brain Cycle That Keeps Kids Stuck
Add repeated antibiotics (often for ear infections) and stress-based medications, and now the gut is out of balance too.
A disrupted gut means disrupted brain signals.
And it makes healing that much harder.
That’s why traditional approaches often feel like pushing a car uphill with the parking brake on.
So… What Can You Actually Do?
You don’t have to wait it out.
And you don’t have to go through it alone.
Here’s what we encourage parents to consider:
💡 Trust Your Gut
You know your baby better than anyone. If something feels off, don’t let “they’ll grow out of it” be the end of the story.
💡 Consider Birth History
Was there stress during pregnancy?
Were there birth interventions?
Was labor long or complicated?
These clues matter—and help point toward solutions.
💡 Find Root-Cause Providers
Look for a team (like ours at Generations Chiropractic) that understands how nervous system stress affects digestion, sleep, and development—and knows how to release that tension safely and effectively.
💡 Focus on Nervous System Healing
The earlier stress is addressed, the easier it is to help your baby shift into a calm, connected state—thanks to something called neuroplasticity. Their brain is designed to rewire and heal when given the right input.
You’re Not Failing. Your Baby Isn’t Broken. They’re Just Stuck.
And with the right care, stuck babies become calm babies.
Fussy nights give way to peaceful sleep.
Digestive struggles fade.
And the whole family begins to breathe again.
At Generations Chiropractic, we don’t treat colic like a phase to “wait out.”
We honor it as communication from the nervous system—and we know how to help.
If you’re ready to explore the neurological root of your baby’s colic, give us a call.
If you’re not local to us, visit the PX Docs Directory to find a provider near you.
Because the earlier you intervene, the greater the impact—on not just your baby’s comfort today, but their focus, development, and resilience in the years to come.