Understanding Torticollis in Babies: More Than Just a Head Tilt
It’s common for parents to first notice that their baby favors looking or turning their head to one side. Maybe one cheek is always nestled against your chest during feeding, or one side of the head appears flatter than the other. This may be a sign of torticollis, a condition that affects how your baby’s neck and spine move and align.
What Is Torticollis?
Torticollis (Latin for “twisted neck”) refers to tightness or imbalance in the muscles that help support and turn the head—most often the sternocleidomastoid on one side of the neck. In babies, this tightness can cause the head to tilt in one direction and rotate in the opposite direction. You may notice your baby looking “stuck” in that posture or having difficulty breastfeeding on one side.
How Does It Happen?
Torticollis can develop from several factors:
In-utero positioning (especially in twins or breech presentations)
Birth process strain—long labor, use of forceps, or vacuum delivery
Muscle or fascial tension following birth
Repetitive positioning—spending long periods in one position such as on one side or in a car seat
Sometimes torticollis is visible right after birth, and other times it becomes noticeable in the first few months as babies start to lift and turn their heads.
It’s Not Just the Neck
While torticollis appears in the neck, the effects often travel through the entire body’s fascial network—a continuous connective tissue web linking muscles, bones, and organs. Restrictions in one area can cause compensations elsewhere:
The baby may develop a C-shaped spinal curve as the body adapts.
Fascial tension can extend down to the hips, legs, and even the toes.
Breastfeeding may be affected if the baby cannot turn comfortably to one side.
Head shape asymmetry (plagiocephaly) can develop from constant pressure on one side of the skull.
The Good News: It’s Correctable
Torticollis responds beautifully to early intervention. Gentle manual therapy, such as Osteopathic Manual Therapy and CranioSacral Therapy, helps release fascial tension, restore balanced motion, and improve nervous system regulation. With proper guidance, most babies show noticeable improvement in just a few sessions.
Simple Exercises and Home Care
Here are a few supportive ways parents can help at home:
Tummy Time (and Assisted Tummy Time) – Place your baby on their tummy several times a day, even for short periods. This helps strengthen neck and shoulder muscles while encouraging natural alignment. This includes having your baby on your chest.
Gentle Massage – Using light, soothing strokes, massage the tight side of the neck and upper shoulder. Follow your baby’s comfort cues—this should never be forced.
Encourage Looking Both Ways – During play or feeding, position toys and yourself on your baby’s non-preferred side to stimulate turning and visual engagement.
Switch Holding and Feeding Positions – Alternate sides often to promote symmetry.
When to Seek Help
If your baby consistently prefers one head position, has difficulty breastfeeding on one side, or if you notice asymmetry in their head shape, it’s best to have them assessed by a pediatric-trained manual therapist or physical therapist. Early intervention helps prevent long-term compensations and supports your baby’s natural development.
At Avalon Wellness & Performance
Our therapists are trained in pediatric CranioSacral Therapy and Osteopathic Manual Techniques designed specifically for infants. Treatments are gentle, non-invasive, and focused on helping your baby feel balanced, comfortable, and thrive in their development.
📍 Avalon Wellness & Performance – Naples, FL
🌐 www.avalonwellnessandperformance.com
📞 239-427-4697 | License #MM46224
