Colic, Gas & Reflux in Babies
When the crying won't stop and nothing seems to help.
Few things wear a family down like a baby who cries for hours and can't be settled. You've tried the burping, the bouncing, the formula switch, the late-night drives. You're not doing anything wrong. Colic and reflux are some of the most common reasons parents bring their babies to Tula, and some of the most rewarding to care for.
What colic and reflux actually are
Colic is the name for long stretches of crying in an otherwise healthy baby, often in the evening, often with a tight belly and legs pulled up. Nobody knows its exact cause. It's usually linked to a few things happening at once: a digestive system that's still maturing, trapped gas, feeding that isn't quite comfortable, and a nervous system that has a hard time settling down.
Reflux is milk coming back up after feeds. A little spit-up is normal for babies. What parents notice with uncomfortable reflux is arching during or after feeds, fussing when laid flat, frequent hiccups, and a baby who seems to hurt rather than just spill.
What parents usually notice
- Crying that builds in the late afternoon or evening
- Pulling the legs up, a hard belly, lots of gas
- Arching the back or turning away during feeds
- Wanting to be held upright and protesting when laid down
- Short, broken sleep
- A baby who seems tense and is hard to soothe, even when fed and changed
Where tension comes in
Birth asks a lot of a tiny body, even a calm and quick one. Tension through the neck, upper back, diaphragm and belly can make feeding, burping and digestion harder than it needs to be. When a baby is holding that kind of tension, the nervous system often stays in a guarded, alert state, which makes settling harder too.
How we care for babies with colic and reflux
Every baby visit at Tula is unhurried and full-body. We start by watching: how your baby lies, turns, feeds and responds to being held. Then we use gentle craniosacral work, which we use on almost every pediatric visit, and light, specific adjustments. We use about the pressure you'd use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Many babies relax on the table, and some fall asleep.
We'll also talk through what you can do at home: feeding positions, burping holds, tummy massage, and when to try a little more upright time after feeds.
All of our doctors have extensive training in pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric care through the ICPA.
Working with your pediatrician
Chiropractic care doesn't replace your pediatrician. It works alongside them. Please call your pediatrician first if your baby has a fever, isn't gaining weight, has fewer wet diapers, vomits forcefully, has blood in their stool, or just seems unwell to you.
When to come in
If your baby is struggling to settle, has a hard time feeding, or seems uncomfortable most days, it's reasonable to have them checked. We see babies as young as one day old. If you're recovering too, a Mommy & Me visit lets us care for you both in one appointment.
Visiting Tula
Tula Chiropractic & Wellness is at 7701 Eldorado Pkwy, Suite 500, McKinney, TX 75070, a short drive for families in Allen, Frisco, Prosper, Plano, Melissa, Princeton and North Dallas.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM; Wednesday 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM; Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Saturdays by appointment; closed Sunday.
We don't bill insurance directly. We're self-pay, we provide superbills you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and we accept HSA and FSA cards. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Can chiropractic help a baby with colic? Colic has no single known cause, so there's no single fix. What we do is gently release tension in your baby's neck, spine and belly and help the nervous system settle. Many parents notice calmer evenings and easier sleep. We always work alongside your pediatrician.
Is chiropractic care safe for newborns? Infant care at Tula is very gentle. There's no cracking or twisting. We use about the pressure you'd use to check the ripeness of a tomato, and we see babies as young as one day old. All of our doctors have extensive training in pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric care through the ICPA.
How many visits will my baby need? It depends on your baby. Some families notice a change after one or two visits, and others come for a few weeks. We'll talk about what we're seeing at each visit and never lock you into a long plan.
When should I call my pediatrician instead? Call your pediatrician first for fever, forceful or green vomiting, blood in the stool, fewer wet diapers, poor weight gain, or a baby who seems unwell. Those need a medical check before chiropractic care.
Can I hold my baby during the visit? Yes. Babies are often cared for in your arms or lying on a soft surface right next to you, and you can feed or soothe them whenever they need it.