Colic, Reflux & Big Emotions: What the Vagus Nerve Reveals About Your Baby’s Health
Introduction
Few things are harder for parents than watching their baby cry for hours and not knowing how to help. Whether it’s colic, reflux, or seemingly endless fussiness, many families feel stuck between “wait it out” and medication.
But what if these struggles were actually signals from your baby’s nervous system? At Solstice Chiropractic, we help parents understand the role of the vagus nerve—a powerful pathway that connects the brain to the body and plays a huge role in how babies eat, digest, sleep, and regulate their emotions.
Meet the Vagus Nerve: Baby’s Calm Pathway
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, stretching from the brainstem down through the neck, chest, and abdomen. It acts like a superhighway, carrying calming signals between the brain, digestive system, and heart.
For infants, the vagus nerve helps regulate:
Digestion: Moving food smoothly through the stomach and intestines
Breathing & Heart Rate: Keeping rhythms calm and steady
Crying & Emotional Regulation: Helping babies shift from distress to calm
Sleep: Activating parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” mode
When the vagus nerve isn’t working properly, the body struggles to coordinate these essential functions—leading to symptoms parents know all too well.
Colic, Reflux & Fussiness Through a Nervous System Lens
Many infant challenges can be traced back to vagus nerve imbalance or nervous system stress:
Colic: Long bouts of inconsolable crying often signal difficulty regulating emotions and digestion.
Reflux: Poor vagal tone can disrupt the coordination of swallowing and stomach emptying, leading to frequent spit-ups or discomfort.
Big Emotions: Babies who are “hard to soothe” may have trouble shifting from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) into parasympathetic calm.
Sleep Struggles: Without strong vagus nerve activity, babies may have restless, fragmented sleep.
Instead of labeling these as “just part of infancy,” we view them as opportunities to support nervous system regulation early on.
How Chiropractic Supports the Vagus Nerve
An Infant Chiropractor in Colorado Springs uses gentle, specific adjustments to reduce stress on the nervous system and support vagus nerve function.
Here’s how that helps babies:
Improved Digestion: Babies may show fewer signs of reflux or constipation as gut-brain communication improves.
Calmer Emotions: With better nervous system balance, crying fits and fussiness often ease.
Better Sleep: A regulated vagus nerve allows babies to settle and rest more deeply.
Breastfeeding Support: Clearer nerve communication can improve latch, suck, and swallow coordination.
Adjustments are always gentle and adapted to each baby’s size and needs—often as light as checking the ripeness of a tomato. 🍅
Why Early Support Matters
The first year of life is a critical window for nervous system development. When stress patterns are addressed early, babies have a stronger foundation for healthy growth, calmer regulation, and smoother transitions through milestones.
For families, that means less worry, more sleep, and more joy in those precious early months.
Call to Action
If your baby struggles with colic, reflux, or big emotions, the answer may lie in their nervous system. Chiropractic care provides safe, gentle support for the vagus nerve—helping babies feel calmer, sleep better, and thrive.
👉 Schedule your baby’s nervous system scan today at Solstice Chiropractic and discover how early support can make all the difference.
