Infant Reflux 101: What Parents Can Do (and how gentle chiropractic may help)
If your baby seems uncomfortable after feeds, arches or cries with gas, spits up frequently, or only settles when held upright you’re not alone. “Reflux” is a common umbrella term parents hear for these behaviors. At Bee Kind Family Chiropractic, we approach refluxy babies with comfort-first, gentle care, and we work alongside your pediatrician, IBCLC, and therapists as needed.
Important: If your baby has green (bilious) or projectile vomiting, blood in vomit/stool, poor weight gain, fever, breathing trouble, lethargy, or signs of dehydration, seek pediatric/ER care promptly.
What reflux can look like
Spitting up or wet burps after feeds
Arching/stiffening, fussing when laid flat (car seat/crib)
Congestion, cough, “silent reflux” (no spit-up but obvious discomfort)
Short sleep stretches, frequent wake-ups, gas, lots of hand-to-mouth soothing
These signs can overlap with feeding mechanics (air intake), tension from birth, food protein sensitivities, or simple immaturity of the digestive system. Most babies do best when we address several pieces at once: feeding setup, body comfort, and nervous-system regulation.
Our gentle chiropractic approach
We do no-force or very low-force work appropriate for infants, aiming to ease tension patterns commonly seen after pregnancy and birth (especially after breech position or cesarean). Typical areas:
Neck & jaw (for comfortable turning and feeding)
Ribs & diaphragm (to support easier breathing and less pressure after feeds)
Sacrum/pelvis & abdominal fascia (to help gas move along)
Cranial tensions (occiput/temporal areas) that can affect comfort lying flat
Care is calm, brief, and baby-led. Parents are present for everything, and we build a simple home routine you can start right away.
What the evidence says (case reports)
While large randomized trials are limited, case reports describe infants with reflux-like symptoms improving alongside gentle chiropractic care.
Silent reflux in a 9-week-old: After Kale upper cervical care, the baby’s mother reported a 9-hour sleep stretch by the third night, easier time in the car seat, and stopping the prescribed medication at follow-up; the authors encouraged more documentation of similar cases. vertebralsubluxationresearch.comJarek Esarco, D.C.
GER in a 6-month-old: With Diversified technique plus Activator over a structured plan (twice weekly, then weekly), the infant’s reflux and associated symptoms resolved; the authors recommended further research. vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
These are individual cases not guarantees or medical prescriptions, but they align with what many families report consistently: when babies are more comfortable and symmetric, feeding and sleep can improve.
Simple things you can try today
These are comfort strategies we frequently teach (and customize in your visit):
Paced, side-lying bottle (or laid-back nursing): helps reduce aerophagia (air intake).
Burp breaks and keep baby upright 20–30 minutes after feeds.
Tummy-time ladder: lots of micro-sessions (30–60 seconds) on your chest or a rolled towel, building up gradually.
Gas moves: slow bicycle legs → knees-to-belly on baby’s exhale → gentle clockwise belly massage.
Rotate environments: switch the arm you hold with, the crib orientation, and diaper-change side to avoid one-sided preferences.
Team up: If bottle-fed, check nipple flow and pacing with an IBCLC or SLP, small tweaks can make a big difference.
What to expect at Bee Kind
A relaxed, parent-led visit that starts with your story
A gentle exam and, if appropriate, first adjustment
A personalized home plan you can start the same day
Clear check-ins to track progress
Ready for help with a refluxy, uncomfortable baby?
We’d love to support your family with gentle, evidence-informed care and a practical home plan. Reach out to schedule, or send us your top concern and we’ll point you to the right starting place.
References
Esarco J, Alcantara J. Resolution of laryngopharyngeal reflux in a 9-week-old infant following Kale specific upper cervical care: a case study & review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. 2020. (abstract/summary). vertebralsubluxationresearch.comJarek Esarco, D.C.
Egan A, Alcantara J. Resolution of Gastroesophageal Reflux in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health–Chiropractic. 2019. (abstract). vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
