The Best Mom Hack for Colic, Sleep, and Fussiness

Have you ever noticed how your baby seems perfectly content in your arms, but the moment someone else holds them, the waterworks begin?

Or how your little one somehow senses when you're stressed and responds in kind? Or why healthcare providers prioritize skin-to-skin contact right after birth?

It's not a coincidence—it's co-regulation. And it might just be the most powerful tool in your parenting toolkit.

I want to share with you the absolute best hack when it comes to soothing a colicky baby, bringing down a fever naturally, and even boosting your milk supply. Would you believe it's all the same approach?

What Is Co-Regulation (And Why It's Your Parenting Superpower)

Let me let you in on a little secret: your nervous system controls everything, and your baby's nervous system is deliberately underdeveloped at birth. This isn't a design flaw—it's by design! Babies need their parents to help regulate, calm, and nurture them.

Your calm presence isn't just emotionally comforting—it actually provides the neurological pattern your baby's developing brain needs to learn regulation. When you hold your baby close, their heart rate, breathing patterns, and stress hormone levels literally synchronize with yours.

It’s a beautiful biological dance that sets the foundation for lifelong health and emotional well-being.

Did You Know? During the first three years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections form every second. Babies who receive regular skin-to-skin contact show better temperature regulation, improved breastfeeding success, and significantly less crying.

This is all called co-regulation, and it truly is the best "hack" when it comes to anything baby-related!

Understanding the Nervous System Connection

Think of your nervous system like a car:

• Sympathetic system = gas pedal (fight or flight)

• Parasympathetic system = brake pedal (rest and digest)

Your baby is remarkably aware of your nervous system state. They’re not reading your words—they’re reading your body: your facial expressions, tone of voice, breathing pattern, and even your heart rate.

When you're stressed, your baby often becomes stressed too. When you're calm, your baby can borrow your calmness until they develop their own regulation skills.

Why Co-Regulation Doesn’t Always Work (And It’s Not Your Fault)

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, co-regulation doesn’t seem to work. Your baby is still fussy. You feel on edge. The calming connection just isn’t happening.

Here’s why:

• Fertility struggles and high maternal stress during pregnancy

• Birth interventions (like C-sections, forceps, vacuum extraction)

• Physical tension in the baby’s spine and nervous system from birth trauma

These factors can create subluxation—neurological interference that impacts the vagus nerve and the autonomic nervous system.

Without addressing these issues, babies don’t just “grow out” of regulation problems—they often grow into challenges like sensory processing difficulties, GI issues, sleep struggles, and emotional dysregulation.

How Neurologically-Focused Care Can Help

When co-regulation isn’t happening naturally, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can help restore balance to both your nervous systems:

• INSiGHT Scans objectively measure nervous system function in both mother and baby
  Learn more about INSiGHT Scans →

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments help release tension and restore vagus nerve communication
  Explore our pediatric chiropractic approach →

As vagus nerve function improves, families often report:

• Better sleep

• More content, relaxed babies

• Improved digestion and feeding

• Greater ease in bonding and emotional connection

The Journey Forward

Motherhood is one of the greatest blessings—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

You’re not meant to do this alone. And seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom.

Co-regulation isn’t just a parenting technique—it’s a biological necessity for your baby’s developing nervous system. By nurturing this connection, you’re laying the groundwork for emotional and physical well-being that lasts a lifetime.

At Three Nails Chiropractic in Franklin, TN, we understand how crucial it is for your whole family's nervous systems to function optimally. When everyone is regulated, the ripple effect creates a peaceful, thriving home.

👉 Ready to take the first step? Schedule your consultation here →

📍 Not local? Find a PX Doc near you →

You already have everything you need to be the calming force in your baby's life. Trust your instincts, honor the power of connection, and remember: every time your baby finds peace in your arms, you’re not just soothing them—you’re shaping their developing brain.

Now that’s a superpower worth celebrating.