What do fussy babies and kids with ADHD have in common? The answer might surprise you—and give you real hope.

If you’re walking the floor with a colicky baby, chances are you’ve already heard the well-meaning reassurance: “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it.”

But here’s the truth no one tells you—babies don’t simply grow out of colic. More often, they grow into other challenges.

The constant crying, back-arching, gasping, and sleepless nights aren’t just phases. They’re signs that your baby’s nervous system is under stress—and without addressing that root cause, those struggles can resurface later in new ways.

What Really Happens After Colic

Every week, parents walk into our office with 7-year-olds struggling with ADHD, sensory issues, or anxiety. When we dig into their stories, a familiar pattern emerges: almost every single one of them was a colicky baby.

The labels may change—colic, ear infections, ADHD, anxiety—but the underlying problem is the same: a nervous system stuck in stress mode.

This is not your fault. You are not failing your baby. You’ve just been given incomplete information.

Why Everything You’ve Tried Falls Short

You’ve likely tried all the “colic cures”:

• Cutting dairy or other foods out of your diet
• Keeping food journals
• Colic drops, probiotics, gripe water
• Feeding schedule changes
• Endless advice from family, friends, or Google

And yet, your baby is still fussy, gassy, and restless. Here’s the truth: you’re not doing anything wrong. What’s missing is the neurological piece.

The Real Root Cause: A Stressed Nervous System

Colic isn’t just a digestive problem. It’s a nervous system problem.

Your baby’s digestive system is completely controlled by their nervous system. When stress or birth trauma disrupts the vagus nerve—the “master nerve” that controls digestion, sleep, and regulation—everything gets stuck.

• Baby gets stuck in the birth canal
• Stress gets stuck in the nervous system
• Digestion gets stuck
• Your baby stays stuck in distress

That’s why colic is really your baby’s nervous system crying out for help.

The Hidden Trigger Most Parents Never Hear About

Nearly every colicky baby has experienced some form of birth intervention—C-section, vacuum, forceps, or induction. Even “normal” births can create physical stress on the delicate upper neck and brainstem, where critical nerves like the vagus originate.

And if you had stress or anxiety during pregnancy, those stress hormones crossed the placenta, priming your baby’s nervous system to be on high alert from the very beginning.

That physical tension shows up in telltale ways—back-arching, stiff necks, inconsolable crying. Just like you stretch after a stressful day, your baby is trying to relieve the pressure stored in their nervous system.

The Colic Timeline: What Happens If Stress Isn’t Addressed

Here’s what we see again and again when nervous system stress isn’t resolved early:

• Colic (0–6 months): Crying, reflux, gas, sleep struggles
• Chronic ear infections (6–18 months): Multiple antibiotic rounds
• Speech delays (18–36 months): Late talking, unclear words
• Sensory issues (3–5 years): Meltdowns, over-sensitivity, picky eating
• ADHD/Anxiety (5–10 years): Emotional regulation struggles, focus issues

The symptoms may change, but the stuck stress pattern is the same.

What Your Baby’s Body Language Is Saying

When your baby arches their back, stiffens their body, or cries inconsolably, it’s not “just gas.” It’s communication.

They’re telling you their nervous system is stressed and needs help.

The earlier you support their nervous system, the faster they heal—thanks to the brain’s incredible neuroplasticity in infancy.

What Parents Can Do

✨ Trust your instincts. You know your baby best—don’t ignore your gut.
 ✨ Look for root causes. Seek providers who look at the whole child, not just symptoms.
 ✨ Reflect on the birth story. Interventions and stress leave physical imprints that matter.
 ✨ Think beyond quick fixes. Drops and formulas can help short-term, but lasting change comes from addressing the nervous system.
 ✨ Document patterns. Keep notes about when your baby struggles most and what helps.

Your Baby Deserves More Than “Wait and See”

Colic doesn’t have to be something you suffer through. Babies aren’t broken—they’re just stuck in stress. And when that stress is released, transformation happens:

• Crying eases
• Sleep improves
• Digestion regulates
• Families finally get to enjoy those early months together

At Experience Wellness Chiropractic, we specialize in identifying and addressing the nervous system stress that hides behind colic. Using gentle, specific care, we help babies calm, regulate, and thrive.

If you’re ready for answers (and hope), reach out to us today. If you’re not local, you can find a trusted provider through the PX Docs directory.

Bottom Line for Moms

You’re not overreacting. You’re not “just anxious.” You are your baby’s best advocate.

Your little one doesn’t need to “wait it out”—they need help getting unstuck. And when that happens, your whole family feels the difference.