The last few weeks in utero are tight quarters! Your baby may end up in a less than ideal position for their developing muscles. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. All third-trimester mommies are well-accustomed to an elbow in the ribs and a foot on the bladder. It is important to take careful note of your newborn baby’s movements. Are they moving both sides of their body the same amount? Are both legs kicking and flexing, and is their head turning fully in both directions? It’s time to start thinking about torticollis.
What is torticollis? It sounds like a turtle…
Torticollis is a term you may have heard. It is a strange word that evokes scary feelings, but it is treatable if addressed immediately. Torticollis is really just a tight neck. You know how when you fall asleep on a plane or train with your head against the window…well, imagine being in that position for several weeks. The muscles on one side of your baby’s neck tighten while the muscles on the other side lengthen. You will notice that your baby prefers to look in one direction over the other. They may also tilt their chin to one side all the time.
If you suspect your baby has a tight neck on one side, it is a good idea to point it out to your pediatrician as soon as possible. They will evaluate her neck muscles and either give you some gentle stretches and exercises to do or recommend you for therapy. It is wise to treat it right away, so it doesn’t get worse or result in a flat spot on your baby’s head from always being turned in the same direction. Sometimes pediatricians might take the “wait and see” approach, but it never hurts to start some light intervention before it gets any worse.
How you can help your baby:
The best way to encourage your baby to turn his head in the opposite direction is to always be on that side of him. Talk to him and encourage him to turn his head to look at you. Use visually-stimulating objects to get his attention. I love using something simple like a playing card. The black, white, and red contrasting colors on a nine of hearts and a three of spades are great for getting baby to focus. Lie him on his back and start with the card or toy on his preferred side. Move the card slowly in an arc in front of his face about 8-10″ away from him. Encourage him to continue to scan it, turning his head to watch it move across his visual field.
If he stops his head halfway, you can do some very gentle stretching. Try sliding your hands under his head and gently turning his head in the opposite direction. Give him a break if he fusses or tries to turn his whole body with his head. You do not have to turn his head with any force. Just move it slowly and gently. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, ask your pediatrician for a referral for therapy.
You can also use gravity to help stretch out those tight neck muscles. Whenever you pick your baby up from her crib, changing table, or any surface, turn her toward the opposite side first. Then lift her from her side, so gravity helps align her head every time you lift her.
Tummy time is also great for normalizing neck alignment. All their neck muscles are activated when babies spend time on their tummy. Try to get down on his level, make eye contact, and encourage him to turn his head to the opposite side.
Think about how she is positioned and position her in a way that she must turn her head in the opposite direction to see the action. You could also roll up a small washcloth and place it along the side of her head to help her turn the other way. Or, roll a small blanket and prop her slightly from her back towards her side, so her head turns toward the floor.
Feed your baby from the side he needs to turn toward to encourage him to look over that way. You can even breastfeed from the side by using the football hold with the baby tucked under your arm, so he has to turn his head in the opposite direction to eat.
Like most things with babies, the key to remediating torticollis is to intervene early and to be consistent.
