From Tilt to Tiny Triumphs: How to Identify and Treat Torticollis and Flat Head Syndrome in Babies

meridith33
Apr 11
4 min read

Worried about your baby’s head tilt or flat spot? Learn how to identify and treat torticollis in babies with expert tips from Tiny Strides Pediatric Physical Therapy.

As parents, we closely monitor our baby’s growth, watching for every little milestone. But what happens when you start to notice that your baby tilts their head to one side or has a flat spot developing on their head? These could be signs of torticollis or plagiocephaly/brachycephaly, common conditions affecting infants.

Understanding the early signs and knowing when to seek pediatric physical therapy can make a significant difference in your child’s gross motor development and overall well-being.

At Tiny Strides Pediatric Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping families in Cleveland’s suburbs navigate these concerns with expert guidance and treatment plans.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What torticollis is and how it affects your baby
How head shape concerns (plagiocephaly and brachycephaly) develop
Early signs and symptoms to watch for
How pediatric physical therapy can help
When to seek professional treatment

Let’s dive in!

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis, also known as congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), occurs when a baby’s neck muscle, called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), becomes tight or shortened. This causes the baby’s head to tilt to one side while the chin points in the opposite direction.

Causes of Torticollis

Positioning in the womb – Limited space in utero can lead to tight neck muscles.
Birth trauma – Difficult deliveries, such as the use of forceps or vacuum extraction, may contribute to muscle tightness.
Favoring one side – Babies who prefer looking in one direction or spending too much time in the same position may develop torticollis.

If left untreated, torticollis can lead to delays or asymmetries in gross motor skills such as rolling, sitting, and crawling.

What is Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly?

Many parents notice a flat spot on the back or side of their baby’s head, which may be a sign of plagiocephaly or brachycephaly.

Plagiocephaly: A flattening on one side of the head, often accompanied by asymmetry in the ears or forehead.
Brachycephaly: A flattening across the entire back of the head, leading to a wider and shorter skull shape.

Causes of Head Shape Concerns

Prolonged time on the back – Since babies spend a lot of time on their backs for sleep (which is necessary for safety), their soft skulls can flatten in certain areas.
Torticollis – Babies with torticollis tend to keep their heads turned to one side, contributing to asymmetrical head shape.
Limited tummy time – Without enough tummy time, babies miss opportunities to strengthen their neck muscles and relieve pressure from the back of their heads.

Early Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Signs of Torticollis

Your baby consistently tilts their head to one side
Preference for looking in one direction
Difficulty turning their head in both directions
Flattening on one side of the head (linked to torticollis-related plagiocephaly)

Signs of Plagiocephaly/Brachycephaly

A noticeable flat spot on the side or back of the head
Asymmetry in the ears, forehead, or facial features
Preference for resting with the head in one position

If you notice any of these signs, early intervention with pediatric physical therapy can help prevent long-term issues.

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Can Help

At Tiny Strides Pediatric Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating torticollis and head shape concerns in infants throughout Greater Cleveland. Our approach includes:

Gentle Stretching and Exercises: Physical therapy involves gentle neck stretches to help lengthen tight muscles and improve range of motion. We guide parents through daily at-home exercises to support progress.
Positioning Strategies: We teach parents how to adjust their baby’s positioning to encourage active movement, including:
Encouraging the baby to turn their head to the non-preferred side
Using toys and visual stimuli to promote head movement in both directions
Safe and fun tummy time techniques to relieve pressure on the head and strengthen muscles
Tummy Time Techniques: Since tummy time is essential for gross motor development, we help parents find ways to make it enjoyable and engaging for their baby. Some key strategies include:
Placing the baby on your chest for face-to-face interaction
Positioning your baby on a wedge such as the TumTum wedge or using a rolled towel under your baby’s chest to improve tolerance to tummy time
Using mirrors, toys, and music to keep tummy time fun
Screening for any indication to refer to additional providers: torticollis can also lead to challenges with feeding. We work as a team to ensure your baby is receiving all the care they need by screening for indication to refer to providers who specialize in infant feeding.

Early intervention is key in ensuring successful outcomes and reducing the duration of time required for treatment. Our goal is to help resolve torticollis and improve head shape without the need for a cranial remolding helmet.

When to Seek Professional Help

When Should You See a Pediatric Physical Therapist?

If your baby:

Favors looking to one side
Struggles with turning their head equally in both directions
Has a flat spot on their head
Shows signs of gross motor delays or asymmetric skills such as a preference to reach with one hand or roll over one side

Early intervention leads to better outcomes and helps your baby develop essential motor skills.

What to Expect in a Physical Therapy Session

During your first visit to Tiny Strides Pediatric Physical Therapy, we will:

Assess your baby’s neck mobility, posture, and head shape
Provide hands-on techniques to improve flexibility and strength
Teach you simple but effective home exercises
Offer guidance on positioning and play activities

Our goal is to empower parents with the tools they need to help their baby thrive!

Torticollis and head shape concerns are common in infants, but with early intervention and proper care, they can often be corrected successfully. By incorporating tummy time, positioning strategies, and pediatric physical therapy, you can support your baby’s healthy development.

At Tiny Strides Pediatric Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping families throughout Greater Cleveland. If you have concerns about your baby’s neck movement or head shape, don’t hesitate to schedule an evaluation with us today!

Together, we can ensure that your little one is on track for a strong and active future.

📅 Schedule a Consultation Today! Email Meridith at meridith@herstridephysicaltherapy.com or call us at 440-382-3505 to book a complimentary discovery call.