Hear from Our Customers
Your baby arches their back after eating. They spit up constantly, sometimes after every feeding. They cry through the night, and nothing you do seems to help. You’ve tried different formulas, elevated bassinets, smaller feedings—and you’re still watching them struggle.
Infant reflux in Union City, NJ is more common than most parents realize. About half of all babies show signs of reflux by three months, and two-thirds experience it by four months. But common doesn’t mean normal, and it definitely doesn’t mean you have to wait it out.
Chiropractic care for infant reflux works by restoring proper nervous system function. The vagus nerve controls digestion, and when there’s tension or misalignment in the upper spine or cranial area—often from birth—it can interfere with how your baby’s stomach and intestines work. We use gentle, fingertip-pressure adjustments to release that tension. Most babies sleep through it.
Parents typically notice changes within the first few visits. Feedings get easier. Spit-up decreases. Sleep improves. Your baby starts to relax.
Dr. Paul Roses has been serving families in Union City, NJ and across Hudson County for over 30 years. He’s adjusted babies with complex medical needs at St. Clare’s Home for Children in Elizabeth, NJ, and has followed many infants from their first weeks through childhood. His approach is rooted in safety, gentleness, and results—not scripts or upselling.
Union City families deal with the same challenges as parents everywhere, but access to natural care options can be limited in densely populated areas. That’s why we focus on education, collaboration with pediatricians, and creating a space where parents feel heard. You’re not just another appointment. You’re a family looking for answers, and that matters here.
Your first visit starts with a conversation. Dr. Roses will ask about your baby’s birth, feeding patterns, sleep, and when the reflux symptoms started. He’ll also ask about your baby’s posture—do they favor one side, arch their back, or seem uncomfortable lying flat? These are signs your baby has a nervous system imbalance that may be contributing to digestive issues.
The exam is gentle and non-invasive. Dr. Roses will check for tension in the neck, upper back, and cranial bones. Babies tolerate this well—many fall asleep during the process.
Adjustments use light pressure, about the weight of a finger. There’s no twisting, popping, or force. The goal is to release tension that’s interfering with nerve function, particularly the vagus nerve, which controls digestion and gut motility.
Most parents see improvement within two to six visits. Some babies respond after just one session, especially if the reflux is caused by a structural issue from birth. You’ll get guidance on positioning, feeding, and signs to watch for at home. If your baby needs more support—or if something else is going on—Dr. Roses will tell you and help coordinate care with your pediatrician.
Ready to get started?
Chiropractic care for infant reflux in Union City, NJ isn’t just about adjustments. It’s about giving you a full picture of what’s happening and what you can do to help your baby thrive.
Each visit includes a focused assessment of your baby’s spine, nervous system, and cranial alignment. Dr. Roses will also evaluate feeding posture, latch issues if you’re breastfeeding, and any patterns that might be making reflux worse. Many parents don’t realize that tension in the jaw or neck can make it harder for babies to feed efficiently, which leads to more air intake and more spit-up.
You’ll also get practical advice. How to hold your baby during and after feeds. When to burp. What positions support digestion. How to recognize whether your baby is dealing with reflux or something more serious, like GERD, that may need additional medical evaluation.
Hudson County families often deal with limited access to specialists and long wait times for pediatric gastroenterologists. Chiropractic care offers an effective, low-risk option while you’re navigating the system. And because the focus is on supporting your baby’s natural healing, there are no side effects like the ones that come with reflux medications—diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or long-term risks to the liver and stomach lining.
Most babies show noticeable improvement within two to six visits, though some respond after just one adjustment. It depends on what’s causing the reflux and how long it’s been going on.
If your baby’s reflux is related to birth trauma—like tension in the neck or upper spine from delivery—you may see changes quickly. Research shows that in many cases, symptoms resolve completely within three months of care. One study found that 9 out of 10 infants experienced significant improvement with chiropractic adjustments.
We track progress closely. After the first visit or two, you’ll have a better sense of how your baby is responding. Some parents notice their baby is calmer right away. Others see gradual changes—less spit-up, longer stretches of sleep, easier feedings. If progress stalls or symptoms aren’t improving, that’s a sign to reassess and possibly involve your pediatrician for additional testing.
Yes. Chiropractic care for infants is extremely safe when performed by a trained practitioner with pediatric experience. Adjustments for babies use about the same pressure as checking a tomato for ripeness—gentle, precise, and well-tolerated.
Adverse reactions are rare. One study found that negative responses occurred in less than 0.12% of pediatric chiropractic visits, and most of those were minor and temporary, like fussiness or sleepiness after an adjustment. Compare that to the side effects of reflux medications, which can include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and long-term risks with extended use.
Dr. Roses has over 30 years of experience, including work with medically fragile infants. He’s trained in techniques designed specifically for babies. The adjustment itself is so gentle that many infants sleep through it. You’ll be with your baby the entire time, and Dr. Roses will explain what he’s doing and why before he does it.
Babies can’t tell you what’s wrong, but their bodies give clues. If your baby arches their back frequently, especially during or after feedings, that’s a red flag. So is excessive crying that doesn’t respond to typical soothing, trouble latching or staying latched during breastfeeding, or a strong preference for turning their head to one side.
Other signs include painful gas in newborns that seems constant, difficulty sleeping flat, frequent hiccups, and of course, baby spitting up after every feeding. These symptoms suggest that something is interfering with normal digestive function—and often, that something is tension or misalignment affecting the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve runs from the brainstem down through the neck and into the digestive system. It controls stomach contractions, the valve between the esophagus and stomach, and gut motility. When there’s pressure or tension in the upper cervical spine or cranial area—common after birth, especially with assisted deliveries—it can disrupt vagal tone and lead to reflux, colic, and feeding issues. Gentle adjustments help restore that balance.
Yes. Many parents bring their babies in while they’re still on medication, and chiropractic care can work alongside it. The goal is to address the underlying cause so that, over time, medication may no longer be necessary—but that’s a decision you’ll make with your pediatrician.
Reflux medications reduce stomach acid, which can provide temporary relief. But they don’t fix the structural or neurological issues that may be causing the reflux in the first place. And they come with risks, especially for infants. Long-term use has been linked to liver problems, stomach polyps, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Chiropractic care takes a different approach. By restoring proper alignment and nerve function, it supports your baby’s body in healing naturally. As symptoms improve, many families are able to reduce or eliminate medication under their doctor’s guidance. We work collaboratively with pediatricians and are happy to communicate with your child’s doctor if that’s helpful. The focus is always on what’s best for your baby, not on replacing medical care—but on complementing it.
Reflux and colic overlap, but they’re not the same thing. Reflux happens when stomach contents come back up into the esophagus, causing spit-up, discomfort, and sometimes pain. Colic is defined as excessive crying—usually more than three hours a day, more than three days a week—without an obvious cause.
Here’s where it gets tricky: many colicky babies also have reflux. The crying may be a response to the pain and discomfort of acid irritating the esophagus. But not all babies with reflux are colicky, and not all colic is caused by reflux.
Chiropractic care can help with both. Research from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association found that over 90% of parents reported significant improvement in colic symptoms after chiropractic adjustments. The reason is similar—tension in the spine and nervous system can interfere with digestion, sleep, and your baby’s ability to self-regulate. Gentle adjustments help release that tension. Whether the primary issue is reflux, colic, or both, the goal is the same: help your baby feel better and function better, naturally.
As soon as you notice symptoms. Infant reflux usually starts between two and three weeks and peaks around four to five months. The earlier you address it, the easier it is to correct—and the less time your baby spends uncomfortable.
That said, it’s never too late. We’ve worked with babies at all stages, from newborns just days old to infants approaching their first birthday. Some parents come in right after a difficult birth. Others wait until reflux symptoms become unmanageable or medications aren’t working.
If your baby is struggling with feeding, spitting up constantly, crying inconsolably, or not sleeping well, don’t wait for it to resolve on its own. Yes, many babies outgrow reflux by 9 to 12 months—but that’s a long time for your baby to be in discomfort and for your family to be sleep-deprived and stressed. And research now suggests that untreated reflux in infancy may increase the risk of severe digestive issues later in life. A chiropractic evaluation is non-invasive, gentle, and can give you clarity on what’s happening and what can be done about it.
Local Resources
Useful Links
