Common, but not normal
The crying starts in the evening. Your baby draws up their legs, goes red, arches their back and nothing seems to soothe them — not cuddles, not the breast, not a walk. Or they bring up milk after every feed, are uncomfortable lying down and wake often. And you, exhausted, wonder what you are doing wrong.
Nothing. Intense crying in the first months, colic and reflux are very common and in most cases improve with time. But “it will pass” does not help when you are living it now. There are ways to bring your baby more comfort and your family more calm.
First of all: a baby who cries a lot should always be assessed by the paediatrician, to rule out other causes. Our work is complementary and happens alongside that care.
What may be at the root
- An immature digestive system. The gut and the valve at the top of the stomach are still maturing in the first months.
- Swallowed air. A difficult latch on the breast or bottle can make a baby swallow more air.
- Tensions from birth and position in the womb. These may leave a baby with tension in the neck, back or diaphragm, more discomfort lying down or a preference for one side.
- A nervous system that is adapting. Some babies are more sensitive to stimulation and find it harder to settle.
- You matter too. Parents’ tiredness and anxiety are natural and deserve care.
How we can help
We listen to the story of the birth, feeding and sleep, and observe your baby calmly. Paediatric osteopathy uses very gentle touch to assess and work on the mobility of your baby’s body — neck, back, abdomen, diaphragm — aiming to help them feel more comfortable. If your baby is breastfed, we observe a feed, and breastfeeding support can help improve the latch and reduce swallowed air.
We do not make medical diagnoses or change medication or feeding prescribed by the paediatrician. Many parents describe a calmer baby, but every baby has their own pace.
What you can do now
- Wind your baby midway and at the end of a feed, held upright.
- Hold your baby upright for a while after feeds, and use tummy time only while awake and supervised — for sleep, always on their back.
- Ask for help and take turns. A baby who cries a lot is exhausting; it is fine to ask for support and take breaks.
If this sounds like you, get in touch. Caring for your baby also means caring for the people who care for them.