5 Month Old "Arching" Her Neck out...normal or Not??

Hi M.,
This is not "normal" but not particularly serious either. I am an osteopathic physician and see this frequently in babies.

There are more than 20 little bones in the head and she has what is called in osteopathic language a "cranial torsion" putting a small amount of pressure on the nerve that goes to one of the muscles in her neck called the Sternocleomastoid (SCM). This can easily and painlessly be corrected by someone who is trained in cranial osteopathy or craniosacral therapy. Here are a few links for more information and to find a doctor/therapist in your area.

http://www.cranialacademy.com/
http://www.academyofosteopathy.org/
http://www.upledger.com/

Dr Sherri T.
Cleveland, Ohio
www.osteomed2.com

It sounds like its something she just learned how to do. and if your making any kind of fuss about it, its just encouraging it! So try not to make a fuss and see if it stops. If it doesnt and your worried ask the pediatrician on your next visit! And dont worry all new mothers are nervous to some degree of lots a weird things our children do!!! I called my doc at least once a week!!!
SZ

Mellisa, I'm a mother of two, and a grandmother of 6, and yes that's pretty normal. Like you said, she's just learned that she can do something new. I wouldn't worry to much about it, but if you are concerned, you can always ask your doctor... My oppinion is, your little one is fine. D. N.

I think she is just experimenting with something she learned. My son was able to move is head around when he was 3 weeks old. Everyone was shocked, but then again he had a tiny head compared to other children his age. His head was only in the 5% on the growth curve.

Do some tests with toys and stuff to see if you can get her to turn her head to the right, if not, make an appt with her doctor just to check and make sure it's not torticollis

that's funny...my 1 month old does something like that and when he lifts hishead up and turns it we call him turtle! i can't imagine this being a problem. i'd be interested to see what others have to say about it! Sorry i can't be of more assistance!
:) K.

She's just learning how to use her neck! It's rather amazing to little ones when they figure out how all this stuff works.
If she seems to have pain though moving her head to the other side, or only feeds on one side, then I would talk to your docter about torticollis. But other than that, enjoy that baby!

Hi M.,

Discuss it with your doctor at her 6th month visit. I would only be concerned that she does not do this to the right, and I would keep track of it and take a picture so that your doctor knows what you are talking about. You might try to get her to do this on the right side by standing on the other side while she is doing it and calling to her or making a noise that she has never heard before to see if she will do it to the right too.

Don't worry about being a hysterical Mom, this is why you have doctors. Any time you think that something is not right, question and press, Mom's know more than anyone what is going on with thier kids!

M.