Why Is My Baby So Fussy? 7 Common Causes of Colic
If your baby cries for hours every day, you’re not alone.
Many families are told their baby simply has “colic” and that they need to wait for it to pass.
But colic is a description of symptoms—not an explanation for why those symptoms are occurring.
What Is Colic?
Colic is typically defined as excessive crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
The challenge is that colic doesn’t tell us why a baby is uncomfortable.
1. Feeding Difficulties
When babies struggle to latch, transfer milk efficiently, or coordinate feeding, they may swallow excess air and become uncomfortable.
Signs include:
Clicking while feeding
Frequent unlatching
Long feeding sessions
Gassiness
2. Tension in the Body
Many babies develop preferences for turning their head one direction or have tension patterns throughout their body. I especially see this more in babies that were breech in-utero, had a very quick birth or a very slow birth. The use of forceps or vacuum also increases the liklihood that baby has tension (tight muscles or stuck joints/cranial bones) that can be contributing to discomfort.
This can affect feeding, comfort, sleep, and overall regulation.
3. Reflux
Some babies experience reflux symptoms such as:
Arching
Frequent spit-up
Irritability during feeds
Difficulty lying flat
It’s important to identify whether reflux is the primary issue or a symptom of something else affecting feeding.
4. Tongue Tie or Oral Dysfunction
Oral restrictions can impact a baby’s ability to feed efficiently.
Even babies who gain weight may still struggle with oral function.
5. Oversupply, Fast Milk Flow or a Poor Latch
A forceful letdown, oversupply, or a poor latch can cause babies to gulp, cough, pull off the breast, and swallow excess air.
This may contribute to fussiness and digestive discomfort.
6. Digestive Immaturity
Newborn digestive systems are still developing.
Some babies are more sensitive to gas and digestive changes than others.
7. Overtiredness
Babies can become trapped in a cycle of poor sleep and increased fussiness.
Overtired babies often have a harder time settling and staying asleep.
Looking Beyond the Crying
When a family comes into my office, we don’t simply ask how much the baby is crying.
We evaluate:
Feeding function
Oral function
Body tension
Sleep patterns
Digestive concerns
The goal is to identify potential contributors and create a plan that supports the baby as a whole.
Pediatric Chiropractic and Lactation Support in Danville and Livermore
If your baby is struggling with colic, reflux, feeding challenges, body tension, or excessive fussiness, I’d love to help.
Schedule an evaluation today to determine what may be contributing to your baby’s symptoms and develop a personalized plan to support their comfort, feeding, and development.
