It’s so common for parents to come to me feeling confused and defeated after doing all the “right” things; attending every maternal child health check, consulting their GP or paediatrician, and desperately Googling 'how to get my baby to sleep', at 2am. Usually, they’re told not to worry.
“It’s just colic.”
“They’ll grow out of it.”
“You’re probably overthinking it.”
"It's normal for babies to cry."
"Here's a leaflet on Purple Crying "
But let me reassure you, you’re not overthinking it and colic is not a diagnosis.
Colic isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a symptom.
By definition, colic refers to episodes of unexplained and excessive crying in an otherwise healthy infant under 3 months of age (Wessel et al., 1954). It’s often used as a blanket term when no clear cause is found. But colic isn’t a root cause, it’s a way of saying, “Your baby seems to be miserable, and we don’t know why.”
From my perspective, that’s never the end of the story. If your baby seems uncomfortable or unsettled, especially if they’re waking frequently, crying at the breast or bottle, or arching their back after or during feeds, we need to ask more questions.
Common Causes of Discomfort in Newborns
Here are some of the most common sources of physical discomfort I see in babies under 4 months:
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Feeding challenges — Poor latch or air intake can lead to wind, reflux-like symptoms, or trapped gas. These can all make lying flat and sleeping deeply a challenge (Douglas & Hill, 2011).
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Body tension — Babies often carry tightness from birth. Tight necks, jaws, or torsos can make feeding more difficult and digestion less efficient (O'Neill et al., 2015).
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Reactions to something in milk — Though less common, some babies are sensitive to proteins in breastmilk or formula, such as cow’s milk protein or other allergens (Vandenplas et al., 2015).
It’s worth saying that sleep isn’t the first thing I’ll work on if your baby’s body is showing signs of discomfort. Micro-focusing on the sleep of an uncomfortable baby is a bit like trying to meditate with a pebble in your shoe. It’s not going to feel peaceful or respectful, no matter how many sleep strategies you try.
Here's what I recommend first
If you’re still in the newborn phase and your baby is rarely sleeps or seems uncomfortable, there are two place I would rather you spend your money before seeking my support.
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Firstly consider seeking a feeding assessment. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or both, having a qualified lactation consultant or infant feeding specialist assess your baby’s latch, suck, and milk transfer is invaluable. Feeding issues are among the most overlooked causes of discomfort & sleep disturbance.
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A bodywork check. New research shows that gentle osteopathic care may help babies with colic cry less and sleep more comfortably—and it can even lower stress for parents. A 2025 study found that after just three osteo sessions, babies cried less during the day, and their parents felt noticeably calmer (Colab.ws, 2025). Other studies back this up too (MDPI, 2023; Wiley, 2024). A paediatic osteopath can assess your baby’s musculoskeletal alignment and tension patterns. This can help identify if birth trauma or positional habits are causing discomfort that affects your child's digestion or sleep.
While I don’t diagnose feeding issues or perform manual therapy, I do know when to refer. So if your baby is unsettled or seems to be in pain and you're hearing “it's just colic” or “they’ll grow out of it”, but your gut says otherwise, please trust that instinct. Discomfort is real and your baby deserves to feel better.
References:
Colab.ws (2025). Effectiveness of osteopathic treatment for infants with colic: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatrics.
https://colab.ws/articles/10.1186/s12887-025-05413-1
Douglas, P.S., & Hill, P.S. (2011). Behavioral sleep interventions in the first six months of life do not improve outcomes for mothers or infants: A systematic review. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32(5), 420–430.
https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e318222a2d2
Lanaro, D., Ruffini, N., Manzotti, A., Lista, G., & Bonetti, F. (2017). Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on gastrointestinal function and length of stay of preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 25(1), 10.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-017-0142-4
Macquarie University Researchers (2024). Publisher version of the Wiley review (open access PDF).
https://researchers.mq.edu.au/files/358265627/Publisher_version_open_access_.pdf
MDPI (2023). Effectiveness of osteopathic manual therapy in infantile colic: A randomized blinded trial. Healthcare, 11(18), 2600.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/18/2600
O'Neill, J., & Mehta, S. (2015). Infant musculoskeletal dysfunctions and their effects on feeding. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 15(1), 1178–1183.
https://jccponline.com/Vol15-Issue1-2015/
Vandenplas, Y., et al. (2015). Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cow’s milk protein allergy in infants. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 100(10), 902–908.
https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-306164
Wessel, M.A., Cobb, J.C., Jackson, E.B., Harris, G.S., & Detwiler, A.C. (1954). Paroxysmal fussing in infancy, sometimes called "colic". Pediatrics, 14(5), 421–435.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/14/5/421/42706
Wiley (2024). Manual therapy in the management of infantile colic: A systematic review. Acta Paediatrica.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apa.16807
Katie Cortés (Registered Midwife & Certified Holistic Sleep Coach)
Katie's Babies - Coaxing a love of sleep through attachment, trust, respect & fun.
For enquiries, email: katie@katiesbabies.com.au or for more details on seeking attachment-focused sleep support, please visit www.katiesbabies.com.au
