Torticollis - Charlotte,NC

Updated on May 01, 2010
K.B. asks from Charlotte, NC
7 answers

Hello Everyone!

How do you know when your baby has Torticollis? I suspect that my 12 week old may have it because he strongly favors one side and is really stiff on the other side. The best way to describe it is that he often looks like his body is shaped like the letter 'C' and his head and feet are the two ends of the C. When I hold him upright, he generally curves his body over to the left and then cuddles to my body. When he had his 2 month well visit, my pediatrician did not seem concerned about Torticollis but suggested that I work with him to turn his head to the opposite side so that his flat head will resolve since he also sleeps with his head turned to the left.
I hope this makes sense...it is hard to describe. My older son never had these issues and could support his trunk at this point, and hold his body up straight. I am not trying to compare them, it just helps me know when I need to be concerned enough to take him back to the doctor.

Any advice or experience?

Thanks!

K.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.N.

answers from New York on

well flat head is usually due to torticollis. listen if you think your baby has it bring it up again with the doctor. it is something that can easily be corrected but i'd rather you work with a physical therapist to explain the exercises. i will try but seek your ped's recommendation too. you put the baby on its back facing you, you out your hand on top of his head (or the side, and start gently pushing it towards the left shoulder as much as it goes without hurting the baby, and then count slowly 1-5, then bring it back to its normal position, then do the same thing tilting it to the right side, again count, bring back. do this a few times each side), and a few times a day. my daughter had it and it caused a flat spot which had to be corrected by a headband. correcting torticollis was the easy part. good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Asheville on

I have lots of advice and too much experience with infant torticollis and would be more than happy to share my story with you and make your journey easier than mine was. Please email me at ____@____.com so we can get in touch personally. This issue is way too involved to deal with over the net. My son (now 16 months) suffered from congenital torticollis and I went through so much with him trying to resolve it since most doctors don't know what to do. Hope to hear from you!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi! I think your pediatrician should reevaluate or if he/she doesn't find anything wrong, ask for the information to contact your local birth to three program. They will help you evaluate it. :-) And they probably have a physical therapist or occupational therapist that they can refer you to. You may be able to find your local birth to three program for a free evaluation by googling your county with "birth to three program". HTH Googling it is how I found ours; not sure why pediatricians do not tell parnet about them more often. :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.H.

answers from Nashville on

Hi K., there are some simple stretches you can do daily to help even if its not toricollis-Just look them up online or you can find them in the book Baby 411. Also, a pediatric chiropractor can work wonders. A lot of babies see physical therapists for this as well. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

it's more if he tilts his head to one side that is what my daughter did

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Asheville on

My daughter had torticollis and the pediatrican wasn't too concerned but I was. I referred myself with her signature to a pediatric physical therapist and I was right. She gave me exercises to do with her and PT appointments to evaluate her progress. Even with doing everything right she still had to have a helmet to reshape her head. She is 2 1/2 now and as beautiful as ever. So basically go with your gut feeling and ask to be referred tp a pediatric PT. Hope this helps. There is also something called a cinus ( I think that's the spelling) baby halo that you can use to help with the flat head to hopefully avoid a helmet. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Huntington on

your little one to a pediatric Chiropractor! It is easily fixed by gentle manipulations, but only a DC trained in that technique should attempt it!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions