Community› The Bump Month Clubs› May 2015 Moms
May 2015 Moms
New Discussion

DD doesn't turn head to the left when laying/tummy time ?! Anyone have experience w torticolis?

ladyteach0505ladyteach0505 member
in May 2015 Moms
I've asked our ped about torticollis and she acted like that isn't the issue, but dd only turns her head both ways when I hold her upright.  That she seems to be able to do okay. Should I press to see someone who specializes to be sure it's okay?  I just don't know what to do.  She also refuses to lay on her belly/turn head without screaming.  :(
Report Reply to Post

Re: DD doesn't turn head to the left when laying/tummy time ?! Anyone have experience w torticolis?

  • agilber3agilber3 member
    I haven't heard of that but I noticed my son preferred the right side for sleeping/looking/car seat time. Went to a chiropractor yesterday and she said his left side of his neck was locked up probably due to the birthing process. It's worth a look into alternative therapy!
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • nursej519nursej519 member
    My LO was diagnosed with this at one month. Had her 2 month appointment yesterday and while it seems slightly better, our pediatrician referred us to a physical therapist. She also told us to stop using the rock n play for sleeping because it can further aggrevate the problem. We will attempt to transition our LO to the crib tonight. :((
    Report Reply
  • ladyteach0505ladyteach0505 member
    edited June 2015
    No kidding?! DD is in a RnP. :(

    Did you notice the same thing I'm describing @nursej519? (can turn head when upright but not seeming to laying down)
    Report Reply
  • nursej519nursej519 member
    edited June 2015
    Since we have been forcing her to lay on that side during tummy time (laying her facing the way she doesn't want to) it has gotten better but hasn't completely corrected it.
    Report Reply
  • kndavis011kndavis011 member
    I don't normally post here but I had the exact same question for my doctor. My DDs doctor is a family practitioner and I've been seeing him for years and very much trust his opinion. He said that she did not have it, but just make sure we switch her head to the other side occasionally.
    Report Reply
  • amctubagirlamctubagirl member
    My daughter had it. She was diagnosed at 4 months. I never even realized it. She had a pretty significant flat spot on one side of her head. The doctor noticed it at her 4 month appt.
    She was sent to physical therapy. She was in therapy for about 5 months. Between that and working with her at home, she never needed a helmet. She's perfectly normal now.
    I actually brought it up to my doctor at my sons 1 month appt. he favors one side. She said not to worry right now, but to make sure that he uses both sides. So talking to him from the other side, putting his toys to the other side, laying him a differnt way in the bed, etc. Thats what I would suggest you do. The more they use the other side, the stronger those muscles will be.
    Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • gadellegadelle member
    DD was diagnosed with this last Wednesday thanks to the LC who detected this at the breastfeeding class( DD does not want to breast) and advised me to confirm with her pediatrician. She gave us some stretching exercises and we will go back on Thursday for follow up. If there is no improvement, then she will send us to physical therapy. So far she can now turn her head at the opposite side but still not a tummy time. She is 7 weeks today.
    Report Reply
  • nursej519nursej519 member
    I am glad I'm not alone. My LO was diagnosed a few weeks ago at her two month appointment and we started physical therapy last week. She also has a noticeable flat spot on her head (although my family swears they don't see it). I am really hoping to avoid the helmet.
    Report Reply
  • afergerson15afergerson15 member
    My DD just go diagnosed with this last week at her two month check up too! I really have no idea what it is and what I can do? I hear all about this "helmet" but I have no idea what in the world that it lol I mean if this isn't corrected could it cause neck problems or her to lean that way for the rest of her life?
    Report Reply
  • smashbaby111smashbaby111 member
    I would highly recommend seeking out a chiropractor who specializes in infants, has helped out LO a ton!
    Report Reply
  • amctubagirlamctubagirl member
    If Torticollis is left untreated, the baby can have weakness throughout their body. My daughter had weakness when she started PT. It was caught and corrected though. Some kids need a helmet to correct the mishapen head. Not all kids need it though. My daughter had a pretty bad flat spot but it pretty much fixed itself on its own.
    The best thing you can do is first get them into PT. I can't say enough about how much it helped. Also, at home you should do the exercises and stretches that the PT gives you. It's important also to talk to your baby, put toys on the weak side, etc. Having them use the weak muscles is really important.
    Good luck to all of you!
    Report Reply
  • nursej519nursej519 member
    @amctubagirl did you go to specifically a pediatric PT? I am struggling with that BC we were referred to just a generic PT and I really feel like it should be someone more specialized. Also, how long until you started to see improvement, especially with the head shape?
    Report Reply
  • amctubagirlamctubagirl member
    No, they pretty much don't exist in my area. We just got lucky with a PT that has experience with it. She was awesome. Come to think of it, the first one I took her to didn't have a clue. I took her once and never went back.
    I don't really remember how long it took before I saw a difference. Her head was pretty bad, so it took a while. But keeping her off of it helped.
    Report Reply
  • nursej519nursej519 member
    @amctubagirl thanks! Its so hard because she can't hold her head up or anything yet so I try to do as much tummy time as I can but she can only tolerate so much. Then I struggle with what to do!
    Report Reply
  • ftm0413ftm0413 member
    edited July 2015
    If she can actively turn her head both ways when upright a true diagnosis of torticillis is unlikely. I would trust that your pediatrician will make the referral for therapy if it is warranted, but in this case it doesn't sound like tightness in her sternocleidomastoid.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"