As parents, we’re often told not to worry.
“They’ll grow out of it.”
That’s the phrase many hear when their newborn struggles with things like colic, reflux, trouble sleeping, poor
latch, or constipation. And while those words may be meant to comfort, they’re often used in place of actual
answers.
But what if those early struggles aren’t just “normal baby things”?
What if they’re signs of something deeper—specifically, how the nervous system is functioning from day one?
At Vital Wellness Chiropractic (VWC), we specialize in neurologically focused pediatric care, helping parents
understand the brain-body connection that shapes everything from digestion and sleep to emotional regulation
and immune strength. In this blog, we’ll explore the truth behind “growing out of it” and the critical role the
nervous system plays—even before birth.
The Most Common Early Challenges in Infants
Newborns don’t come with instruction manuals, and it can be hard to know what’s typical and what’s not. Still,
some patterns come up repeatedly for concerned parents:
- Colic or excessive crying
- Reflux and digestive discomfort
- Constipation or infrequent bowel movements
- Difficulty nursing, latching, or staying awake during feeds
- Trouble sleeping (frequent waking, short naps)
- Overall fussiness or tension in the body
These issues are common, but that doesn’t mean they’re normal—especially when they persist for weeks or
months without resolution.
What many parents don’t realize is that all of these systems—digestion, sleep, muscle tone, immune function—
are controlled by the nervous system.
What Happens If We “Wait It Out”?
In some cases, yes—infants may appear to “grow out” of certain challenges. But for many families, these early
issues become stepping stones to new ones:
- Digestive discomfort turns into food sensitivities
- Sleep issues persist into toddlerhood
- Reflux or poor latch evolves into speech or sensory delays
- Constipation becomes chronic
- Emotional dysregulation or anxiety emerges later in childhood
The nervous system doesn’t just reset on its own. If it’s dysregulated from birth, it often stays that way unless
we actively help the body rebalance.
The Nervous System’s Role in Infancy
The nervous system is the body’s master control center. It’s responsible for:
- Regulating digestion
- Coordinating sleep-wake cycles
- Managing muscle tone and movement
- Supporting immune response
- Processing sensory input
- Adapting to new environments
When the nervous system is under stress, babies can’t adapt well. Instead of being in a calm, regulated “rest and
digest” state, they stay stuck in fight-or-flight mode—which disrupts everything from digestion to sleep.
This stress can show up as:
- High muscle tone (stiff neck, arched back, clenched fists)
- Inability to settle or self-soothe
- Poor eye contact or delayed milestones
- Digestive issues like gas, reflux, or constipation
- Short naps and difficulty staying asleep
So the question isn’t “will they grow out of it?”
It’s “why is their nervous system struggling to adapt in the first place?”
The Nervous System Develops Before Birth
To truly understand infant nervous system stress, we have to rewind—back to pregnancy.
From the very first trimester, a baby’s nervous system begins to form. By the end of the second trimester, it’s
already functioning, and by birth, it’s responsible for:
- Coordinating reflexes (like sucking and swallowing)
- Interpreting light, touch, and sound
- Regulating heart rate and breathing
- Processing movement and position in the womb
And here’s the most important piece:
The development of baby’s nervous system is directly shaped by mom’s nervous system.
How Mom’s Nervous System Affects Baby
During pregnancy, mom’s body is baby’s entire environment. That includes:
- Physical tension in the pelvis and spine
- Emotional stress and anxiety
- Chemical exposures (foods, meds, etc.)
- Birth interventions and traumas
When mom is chronically stressed, her nervous system sends constant fight-or-flight signals to baby. This can
cause baby’s nervous system to develop in a heightened state of stress.
This often results in:
- Babies who are hypersensitive
- Difficulty settling or sleeping after birth
- Feeding struggles (poor latch, tongue-tie, tension)
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Increased risk for colic, reflux, and chronic congestion
Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Regulating the Nervous System
Naturally
The goal of pediatric chiropractic care is not to “fix” a baby—it’s to help their nervous system function better.
At VWC, we start with a non-invasive INSiGHT Scan to measure stress and imbalance in the nervous system. This
allows us to see:
- How the spine and brain are communicating
- Whether the body is stuck in fight-or-flight
- Where tension and misalignments are interfering with function
From there, we use gentle, specific adjustments designed to calm the nervous system, release stress, and
improve communication between the brain and body.
Results we frequently see include:
- Better sleep
- Improved latch and digestion
- Less reflux and gas
- Calmer mood and more engagement
- Smoother developmental progress
Most importantly, we see babies become more adaptable, more comfortable, and more connected.
Supporting Mom During Pregnancy
It’s just as important to support mom’s nervous system during pregnancy as it is to care for baby’s after birth. A
balanced, well-regulated mom leads to:
- More space and ease in the pelvis for baby to move and grow
- Improved uterine and placental blood flow
- Lower stress hormones impacting baby
- Better outcomes during labor and delivery
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is proven to reduce discomfort, promote optimal fetal positioning, and
improve overall birth experience. But more than that—it creates an environment where baby can develop in a
calm, safe, and connected state.
Conclusion: From Pregnancy to Infancy, It All Comes Back to
the Nervous System
So no, not all infants “grow out of it.”
But they can heal, adapt, and thrive—when their nervous system is supported from the start.
If your baby is struggling with early challenges—or you want to support their nervous system before they’re even
born—we’re here to help.
Our team at VWC uses advanced scanning technology, neurologically focused chiropractic care, and real
answers for families looking for more than “wait and see.”
Ready to See How Your Child (or Pregnancy) is Adapting?
