My baby only turns his head one way?

Question

One of my twin boys only turns his head one way....He turns the other way, but he goes right back to the usual side, which is to the right....Does anybody know if they make neck braces for babies....I don't want hime growing up like this

Thanks everyone for the info and help.....

Answer 1

He has torticollis. It just means that his neck muscles are tight on one side and stretched on the other. Some babies are born with it, some babies develop it because of positioning. It is common with twins because parents tend to put them in the same place in the crib, and they look at each other. Sometimes it self resolves but usually not. It can affect vision skills if not corrected. Ask your doctor for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist who has experience treating it. They will do stretches and show you different positions that you can put him in to help.

I would also have him checked for reflux. Some babies learn early that if they turn their head to one side it closes off a valve that does not allow everything to come all the way up. Sometimes it mimics torticollis, sometimes it develops into torticollis. Upright and inclined positions are the way to go if this is the case.

In the meantime:
1. switch up the sides they lie on.
2. more tummy time!!
3. switch up the sides they breast feed on (if you are not already doing that)

you could also contact your local early intervention unit, they have therapists that are experienced with babies age birth to three, usually this is a free service.

It is a good sign that he turns his head the other way. Does it go all the way to the other side or just to be in alignment with his body so his face is facing the front?

you might find more information on www.orthoseek.com
I think the Cincinnati Children's Hospital website also has handouts on stretches that can be done. You want him evaluated by a therapist though because you want to be stretching the proper side with the proper technique.

You definitely do not want a neck brace for this. It will not help. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Karen B has some good suggestions. Here are a few more.
1) Your pediatrician may be able to recommend some exercises. (I'm not the best web surfer, but I didn't find instructions on the Cincinnati Children's Hosp website at cchmc.org.)

2) Try positioning your baby in his crib so that his head faces the wall. Most babies make an effort to turn to the light or to where they sense sound and movement. This action may stimulate him to turn his head assuming he is six to eight weeks old.

It's good that you recognize this, because persistent torticollis can lead to flattening of the head and an asymmetrical appearance to the face.

Answer 3

I asked the same question a few months back. Brayden would only look right. One day he just looked left and has been every since. Dont worry! He doc said those muscles developed more then the others. The position of him in your tummy could have been that way so its comfortable.

He will be fine, I promise

Answer 4

My Brother and his Wife had this problem they put a pillow ,small pillow on the other side so he couldn't turn his head that way,also the cot he slept in it was facing the wall so they turned it the opposite way and for some wierd reason it solved the problem ...

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Talk to your ped. A vision problem can cause this as well as a misgrown tendon. If that ped doesn't give you satisfaction, then consider having him evaluated at a children's hospital.

Answer 7

My nephew did this and they took him to the Dr. and then to a chiropractor who found that he had a kink in his back and the chiropractor fixed it and now he looks both ways all the time.

Answer 8

Take him to the doctor if you're seriously concerned...