Torticollis and plagiocephaly (Julymomma)

JulyMomma2U2 · September 2013

Feeling like the worlds worst Momma. Took DS2 to the ped for his. 2 month checkup and she almost instantly diagnosed him with torticollis.. I knew he preferred looking to the right, but I didn't realize he never looks left.. And that if you try and force him, he fights you.. I mean, I remember having issues early on with BFing and how. He'd never take my right side, but I read that was normal... Once she pointed out the plagiocephaly I almost cried.. I rub his head every day .. How did I not notice the difference? Of course, I feel like I'm failing him.. Like I failed him.. Like maybe I would have been more aware if my littles weren't so close.. Guilty that I was selfish and had them close.. And the spiral of guilt continues... We start physical therapy next week and they will decide if/when to send him to be fitted for a helmet. I know the prognosis is excellent, and that this is really a minor thing in terms of all things that could be wrong with a little, but it still sucks.. I still feel guilty. Blah. Those who've had this.. Could you correct with therapy alone? How ong did your little use a helmet if you had to take that route? Interested in hearing all stories..

Missa_g · September 2013

I know it's hard but try not to feel guilty. Both my boys had torticollis and flat spots. S's resolved quickly with PT and repositioning but J's did not. We got a DOC band helmet in December and he wore it for four months. It was seriously nbd, he slept just fine and it didn't hinder his developmental milestones at all. I think my siggy pic reverted back to a picture of them shortly after J got his helmet. Usually with PT, repositioning, and tons of tummy time torticollis and plagiocephaly will resolve. It's good that you're starting so early! Feel free to page me if you have further questions!

JulyMomma2U2 · September 2013

Thanks @Missa_g ... It is hard not to feel guilty! The right side of the back of his head is flat and the left side of the front.. he keeps his head turned to the right all the time, so it's his left side that's face down when he does belly time and it's the right side that he lays on in the back..

Question for you.. I bought a Mamaroo today.. hoping it would help him nap and such and give me a place to put him down that would keep him content.. I haven't opened it because after the ped appointment, I'm thinking the physical therapist might say to try and keep him from laying on his back as much as possible.. was this your experience?? We try and do belly time.. and, honestly, he'll lay on his belly for hours.. but, he doesn't pick his head up nearly at all.. not until he's done with bellytime and is crying.. instead he just lays with his head to the side and looks around.. hence the flat spot on the front left side.. do you think I should take the mamaroo back? I spent $200 on it, and would hate to open it and then not be able to return it if they tell me to keep him off his back as much as possible.. thanks

JulyMomma2U2 · September 2013

Thanks, @Jessiebug81 ... what are your thoughts on the mamaroo (see above reply to missa_g)..?

adoxyinherear · September 2013

You are a WONDERFUL mama. I am glad you've gotten some good advice and comfort here, and I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.

JulyMomma2U2 · September 2013

@jessiebug81 -- How do you prop them to sleep on the other side?! We swaddle DS still, so I laid him the opposite direction in his crib (so if he wanted to look out into his room, he'd have to turn to the left instead of the right), and I placed a receiving blanked rolled up under his shoulder.. but, within a minute, he squirms so that he's flat on his back and turns his head the other way.. I'm afraid of tilting him too much to the left in fear that he'll roll over on his belly..

Missa_g · September 2013

JulyMomma2U2 said:
Thanks @Missa_g ... It is hard not to feel guilty! The right side of the back of his head is flat and the left side of the front.. he keeps his head turned to the right all the time, so it's his left side that's face down when he does belly time and it's the right side that he lays on in the back..

Question for you.. I bought a Mamaroo today.. hoping it would help him nap and such and give me a place to put him down that would keep him content.. I haven't opened it because after the ped appointment, I'm thinking the physical therapist might say to try and keep him from laying on his back as much as possible.. was this your experience?? We try and do belly time.. and, honestly, he'll lay on his belly for hours.. but, he doesn't pick his head up nearly at all.. not until he's done with bellytime and is crying.. instead he just lays with his head to the side and looks around.. hence the flat spot on the front left side.. do you think I should take the mamaroo back? I spent $200 on it, and would hate to open it and then not be able to return it if they tell me to keep him off his back as much as possible.. thanks

I would wait until you talk to the PT. They can show you ways of positioning him in it or tell you it's not good. I'm not familiar enough with it to offer advice. We laid our boys in boppys a lot since the softness isn't as bad for their skulls as a mattress/swing/carseat. We also had them sleep on their belly during the day when we could observe them. We didn't have flattening on the front so I'm not sure what should be done for that.

JulyMomma2U2 · September 2013

Jessiebug81 said:

Well I just wanted until mine fell asleep and then turned their heads, lol. I read that babies naturally turn their heads toward the light so put them on a particular end of the crib to promote that. TBH I mostly focused on repositioning during the day. So I kept a blanket rolled up on one side of the RnP. I also used something like this in the Mamaroo and bouncy seat to keep their heads straight (Millie tilted to the left badly) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006UDLXGQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1379555394&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL85 I also tried to position myself or something they were interested in on their weak side. I sat them up on my lap a lot and used the Bumbo with a cloth diaper stuffed in the back to prop them up. Millie hated tummy time forever and then one day it just clicked for her.

Thanks. He's asleep, but every time I reposition him so that he's leaning toward the weaker side, he just moves himself back within a few minutes. I think I'm going to have to spend more time on this during the day because, honestly, I can't be paranoid that he's going to flip on his belly all night. I tried earlier in his bouncy seat to put a rolled blanket angling him so he'd face the left, but, again, he just fought it until he could go back leaning to the right. He's stubborn, too!

Junebug060609 · September 2013

I get that its hard to not feel like the MOTY, but please dont. There are a lot of us here who have had kid(s) dx'd with tort and/or plag. Both are waaay more common than i ever knew until my son was dx'd with both. Cases have skyrocketed with the "back to sleep" campaign, better to deal with plag that SIDS. Contrary to popular belief, a baby doesnt have to be left laying flat on its back a ton for it to happen (my DS was in my arms even for naps except to sleep overnight, his womb position left him with tort which then led to the plag). DS's case was mild and was treated with just PT and my doing stretches with him.

KikiCohen · September 2013

Don't feel guilty... I repeat.... do NOT feel guilty!

We're currently in a similar situation except my DS prefers to look left, not right. He's been in PT for several weeks and I'm finally starting to see a difference. When we started, he would never actively look to his right. We tried hanging all of his toys on the right, talking to him so that he would have to turn right to see us, etc. Nothing helped. Now he actively turns his head, but his major issue is sleeping. He still lays on his flat spot. But I know that everything we work on during the day is helping.

We also chose to take him for cranio-sacral therapy based on our PT's recommendation. I will fully admit that most pediatricians don't support this type of therapy and the jury is still out on whether or not it's real or just "quackery", but I think it's helping DS and it certainly isn't hurting him.

I also found that propping him up on the Boppy in front of the TV helped him start turning his head. I'm not super proud of letting him watch TV, but if it helps get his head evened back out, I'll all for it. It would be worth a try!

PM me any time! I was really, really mentally struggling with these issues not too long ago, so I understand where you're coming from. (hugs)

mork · September 2013

Just passing on some ((hugs)).

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