Torticollis/Head Tilt?

kiki408

One of my babies tilts her head to the right. It's pretty noticeable, especially when she is in a bouncy seat, car seat, or swing. I even noticed it in the NICU, at which point everyone thought I was nuts and couldn't possibly be seeing what I thought I was.

I mentioned it to the doctor and she, too, agreed that it is tilting a little more than normal, and that something needs to be done. We're guessing that because she and sissy were squished so tight, she spent a good portion of the last few months in that position.

The doctor also suggested I force her to lay/tilt her head and neck the other way at least a few times a day when she is sleeping, just out of the bath, etc., and to put the "object of interest" on her left (again, things I've been doing secretively sense the NICU). If this does not work within 4 weeks, she may need some physical therapy to help stretch those muscles.

Has anyone else experienced this? Did your at-home exercises work to correct the issue, or did your child need PT? If so, what does PT consist of, and has it helped? Any other suggestions?

robinsokj

Massage can also help torticollis.  I would maybe contact an infant massage therapist who can loosen the tight side. 

It can also be caused by vision issues so maybe get the eyes checked if the stretching/strengthening doesnt work

kiki408

robinsokj:

Massage can also help torticollis.  I would maybe contact an infant massage therapist who can loosen the tight side. 

It can also be caused by vision issues so maybe get the eyes checked if the stretching/strengthening doesnt work

Thanks . They have checked her eyes - once in the NICU and once at out pediatricians office and say that everything looks a-okay. I'll try the massage, and hope that it's nothing more serious! Thanks for the input!

Rose.9.6.03

Torticollis is relatively common with twins because they do get squished in the womb. 

Charlotte had a pretty prounounced case of torticollis.  She was in weekly PT from 3 months until 13 months.  It did wonders for her.   We also did stretches/exercises at home after every diaper change on a daily basis.  After she turned one, there was basically no visable evidence of torticollis in Charlotte and she caught up completely with her gross motor skills.  She's still not the most coordinated kid in the world, but she's completely normal.

In addition to encouraging to look to the left, one of the best things you can do is lots of tummy time.  Normally kids with torticollis hate tummy time, but it does so much to strengthen their necks and heads.  It also keeps them from falling into the same tilt position that often creates flat spots.

 Good luck with everything.

kiki408

Rose.9.6.03:

Torticollis is relatively common with twins because they do get squished in the womb. 

Charlotte had a pretty pronounced case of torticollis.  She was in weekly PT from 3 months until 13 months.  It did wonders for her.   We also did stretches/exercises at home after every diaper change on a daily basis.  After she turned one, there was basically no visable evidence of torticollis in Charlotte and she caught up completely with her gross motor skills.  She's still not the most coordinated kid in the world, but she's completely normal.

In addition to encouraging to look to the left, one of the best things you can do is lots of tummy time.  Normally kids with torticollis hate tummy time, but it does so much to strengthen their necks and heads.  It also keeps them from falling into the same tilt position that often creates flat spots.

 Good luck with everything.

Thanks! Of course I'm researching on the internet, which is causing a panic attack! LOL. All this talk about neck braces, helmets, the physical therapist "taping" the neck.....ahhh!?

Anyway, thanks for sharing your story! Glad to know that a head tilt doesnt = forever. I think I'll request that she goes to PT, anyway. Any early intervention seems like the best possible solution.

DEP

Yes my twin daughter has this in addition to mild plagiocephaly (misshaped head);  I must say it has improved with the above suggestions you've mentioned, as well as with tummy time/neck strengthening/maturation.  It could be attributed to their positioning in utero.  But, my DD also has reflux, so I think that this could be contributing to the neck tilt (in efforts to elongate the esophagus and keep her formula down).  We start PT with early intervention next week, so hopefully it will keep improving.