Torticollis, the Latin word for twisted neck, is a condition where the baby’s neck tilts to one position due to stiff neck muscles.
Infant torticollis is a condition that is fairly common in babies. It can happen anywhere between birth to the first few months. This condition can happen during childbirth or even when the child is inside the mother’s womb.
Fortunately, it is easy to treat and with timely intervention can be corrected within a few weeks.
Does my baby have torticollis?
Often parents are not able to notice anything unusual in the first few weeks. Once the baby begins to gain some control over his head and neck, you might observe:
- The head is tilted to one side. Often, the tilt happens on the right side.
- Head movements such as up and down, and side to side are not easy for the child.
- Your baby prefers to breastfeed on one side only or has trouble breastfeeding.
- Your baby struggles to turn their head all the way.
- There is a soft lump in the baby’s neck muscles.
- Often times, babies develop the flat head syndrome since they prefer to keep their head in one position.
Should I be worried?
Torticollis, when left untreated, may cause:
- Limited head control
- Delays in crawling and sitting
- Issues with breastfeeding
- Flat head syndrome
- Poor Balance
How can I help my baby?
If your child is suffering from torticollis, the best treatment is to allow them to stretch their neck muscles. You can do this by encouraging them to move their neck and head by placing objects on their side to allow movement in their head and neck muscles. Try your place objects on the side your baby doesn’t prefer.
We also recommend tummy time in order to strengthen and stretch the baby’s neck muscles. Ideally, your child should spend 15 minutes for 4 times a day on their tummy. If your baby is not comfortable during tummy time, you can shorten the time to 5-10 minutes for 6-7 times a day. Add a pillow or support them with your chest to make it easier for them.
Warm compressing also helps. We don’t recommend applying heat packs directly to the baby’s neck muscles. Place the compress in a towel or a cloth. Do this for 20 minutes for 3-4 times in a day.
If you feel your baby’s condition is not improving with the above, it is best to consult with a pediatrician or therapist. Get in touch with our therapist for a free consultation in San Jose. Call (408) 337-2727 to book your appointment.