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Torticollis and more

VTomanVToman member
edited November 2015 in July 2015 Moms

My LO has a pretty bad side preference when it comes to sleeping.  Thru the night, her head faces as far as it can go to the right.  As a result, her head has a slight tilt to it, and screams when we try to straighten it.  At her 4 month checkup, her dr suggested physical therapy to correct it before it becomes a really big problem.  Do any of you ladies have experience with babies and torticollis - either currently undergoing treatment or have had to do it in the past?  Just curious as to how long PT usually lasts.  We are doing some stretches and exercises that we found on You Tube, but we aren't medical professionals. 

Also, for the last week or so, LO has pretty much zero interest in trying to push up or roll over.  She can do those things - she has rolled over 4 times so far and has pushed up a few times, too.  But, lately she just doesn't want to, she just cries and fusses and then sucks her thumb until she falls asleep.  I've tried toys, Baby Einstein videos, books, the baby piano thingy, letting her pet the dogs (she just pulls their fur), but she just doesn't want to do any of it.  Have any of your babies just given up like this?  Any suggestions?  She's always hated tummy time, but she was getting used to it and actually making some pretty good progress.

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Re: Torticollis and more

  • jerseygirl227jerseygirl227 member
    My LO has torticollis.  She's been leaning her head to one side pretty much since birth.  Her head was starting to look a little flat so I asked the pediatrician about it at her one-month appointment.  LO cried when the doc tried to turn her to the one side.  We were referred to PT.

    Since then we have been going to PT once a week for the first six weeks, then once every two weeks.  Her last appointment was a week ago.  We will go back in three more weeks just to make sure everything looks good and, if so, she'll be discharged.

    It really has helped, and not just with the torticollis, but with her other gross motor skills.  

    At LO's four month appointment, the pediatrician sent us for a cranial band evaluation.  I was very nervous that she would need one (mostly because my fiance' was adamantly opposed to getting her one and it was a source of contention between us); but, she was fine.  The evaluator said that it was likely due to the early intervention of PT.

    Hope this is helpful.  Good luck!
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  • icedrop10icedrop10 member
    edited November 2015
    Hi OP, your story sounds exactly like my situation.  My LO's 4 month appointment isn't until next week but in the meantime I have tried keeping her off her head as much as possible during the day.  Do you have a Mombo or Boppy that you can use during tummy time? I have found the Mombo to be extremely helpful. Getting a cranial band is also a source of contention in my household. My husband actually called me vain for being worried about her flat spot.  Good luck and keep us posted.
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  • corndogrobotcorndogrobot member
    My little boy had torticolis He's 4 now. He did PT from 3 months to 9-10 months. He did not need the helmet. I think I was actually from the position he was when he was in the womb. We joked he would be like zoo lander because he couldn't look left.
    He's totally fine now. And the flat spot worked its way out. You can't even tell now. We live in northern va and with our county there is a program for early intervention. Our insurance covered it and cost about $20 per visit. The therapist came to our house once a week. Showed us exercises (a lot like the ones on you tube) and it helped a lot! It can really worry you as a first time mom. But everything is great now. You'd never know he had a problem. Good luck to you and your babies!!
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  • beeishbeeish member
    My LO is also very similar. We saw the doctor today. He said it's more than likely from her being in one position in the womb. She doesn't need a helmet but does have a noticeable flat spot.
    We work with her to decrease the tilt she has. He didn't recommend PT.

    LO just started doing tummy time. We bought her a tummy time mat and it made a big difference for us. Before she would have a total meltdown and now she'll play for at least ten minutes. We've been trying to carry her more so her head isn't down on her flat side. We often use a baby carrier instead of stroller. We also position her during the day when she is on the mat/gym. She usually naps on our chests so she can nap on her tummy and keep off flat side. LO loves the jumper. She sits up in it so she's not on her flat side.
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  • beeishbeeish member
    Tummy time mat.
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  • VTomanVToman member
    Thanks ladies! We do use the Boppy for TT and for positioning her head. She screams after the first few minutes.

    My husband says that because she's a girl, it won't matter if she has a flat head because her hair will cover it up! And maybe the head tilt will keep the boys away! I know he's kidding, but I did have to explain to him that if her neck isn't straight, it'll throw her body out of alignment.

    We have a PT appointment on Tuesday. I'm sure she'll be fine, but as a first time mom, any little thing just makes me worry!
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  • AziaNickAziaNick member
    edited November 2015
    Our daughter had it. We caught it pretty early so we did head and neck exercises that the PT showed us. She is using her neck a lot more and her range is looking good but we still do the exercises. We also lay egg carton in her crib and she uses a pillow to help her head and neck. I would see a PT and OT to work with you if you are concerned.
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  • AziaNickAziaNick member
    Here's the pillow
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