Torticollis and Plagiocephaly

Torticollis and plagiocephaly are 2 of the most common diagnoses I treat in the pediatric population, but what are they?

Torticollis

Is a condition when the muscles of the neck are tight causing a baby to turn their head to one side and tilted to the opposite side. Torticollis is a condition that can lead to the second one: plagiocephaly.

Most of the time Torticollis occurs because babies prefer to turn their head to one side (usually the side they nurse on). This was the case for both of my kids.

Plagiocephaly

The flattening of one side of the head due to keeping the head turned to one side for too long. An infant’s skull is soft and not fused together yet. This means that they are subject to the flat spots but also that it can be corrected if it does happen.

What are some things we as parents can do to prevent the torticollis and eventually the plagiocephaly? 

1. Toy tracking to the opposite side: using a toy that makes sound or lights up, have your baby follow the toy to the opposite side.
2. Feeding on the opposite side: If you are nursing try to get the baby to latch on the opposite breast or allow your partner to bottle feed the baby and have them turn the head to the opposite side.
3. Tummy time: all babies should be performing tummy time several times throughout the day once their umbilical cord completely falls off. During this time, put the toys on the opposite side to get the baby to reach and turn to that side.
4. Stretching: while the baby is laying on their back, turn their head to the opposite direction. 

Other Treatments for Plagiocephaly

Now what if your child does have torticollis and it leads to plagiocephaly? Then they may be getting a helmet. Have you seen those babies with the helmets? They are pretty darn cute but as you can imagine, uncomfortable. Those helmets may seem pretty light weight and they are usually around ½ pound but for an infant that can be a lot. 

When I treat a baby that has a helmet or is getting one, the therapy sessions consist of making sure they can turn their head both directions and making sure they meet the developmental milestones that babies without the helmets do. Meeting their milestones can be difficult while wearing the helmet.

Check out the post about what those milestones should be here.

This subject is important to me because it is preventable! I wish this was something that was taught to new parents in the hospital after birth or through the pediatrician because in my own experience it was not explained. And a majority of the time it is not to new parents. Both of my children favored one side and had I not had this training; they may have ended up being one of my patients.