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Original poster

Baby can’t move his head to left

27 replies

Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 06:45

DS3 is 8 weeks old and it’s become apparent he cannot or will not turn his head to the left whilst lying on his back. When he’s on his tummy or on my chest he will, and when he’s asleep I’ve been able to gently turn it but when awake he just won’t. Is this torticollis? We are seeing a Paedatric physiotherapist but don’t have an appt yet and I am desperate to know what I can do in the mean time to help him as I really don’t want this to impede his development. I am worried about him developing neck muscles only on one side etc - especially as he is trying to roll but only to the right side.

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 06:50

Sorry just to add please please help if you know about this! Google is throwing up torticollis but I don’t know if that’s what this is

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Mumteedum · 13/08/2022 06:52

Ds had an issue with this. The health visitors I think just told me too sort of encourage him turn to the other side with toys (nonsense). I know mn think they're a bit woo but I ended up taking him to a cranial osteopath. I found it very interesting. She said he had a 'twist running through him' and it made sense because of his assisted delivery and he was turned 180 trying to get him out.

So basically it was like he had a stiff neck.

I can't really remember whether the C.o made that much difference but he's a strapping 11year old now and fine if it helps reassure you!

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 06:56

Mumteedum · 13/08/2022 06:52

Ds had an issue with this. The health visitors I think just told me too sort of encourage him turn to the other side with toys (nonsense). I know mn think they're a bit woo but I ended up taking him to a cranial osteopath. I found it very interesting. She said he had a 'twist running through him' and it made sense because of his assisted delivery and he was turned 180 trying to get him out.

So basically it was like he had a stiff neck.

I can't really remember whether the C.o made that much difference but he's a strapping 11year old now and fine if it helps reassure you!

Thank you so much for posting! DS head was also at an angle in the days before birth so we had to do exercises to move him into place - makes sense to me that this has happened. How long did it take for the cranial osteopath to work? Im
willing to try anything I feel very sorry for him. Was he fine to roll and crawl?

im trying to do the toys/noise etc but it’s doing bugger all

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 06:56

Ah sorry you said you’re not sure it made a difference!

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sjxoxo · 13/08/2022 07:01

My baby had mild torticolis - it was from being a bit cramped during pregnancy - we also saw an osteo a few times and after a few months it had sorted itself out. He’s 6 months now and there’s no difference in movements each side. If he can’t move his head at all towards one side it sounds like severe torticolis yes- but don’t panic it’s quite common and it does normally sort itself out as they grow! Speak to the pediatrician. I remember ours saying when he’s sleeping to turn his head so he was ’looking’ the other way as he would always sleep looking to the east side. So we did that aswell but it was gone by about 3.5-4 months xx

miraveile · 13/08/2022 07:04

All you have to do is use a toy with a bell or another noise and make it sound on the side you want him to turn his head and do this for set periods each day. My daughter was same, hated physical therapy, so I did it myself and she's fine now. It takes a few weeks but they just need to learn to use the muscles!

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:06

sjxoxo · 13/08/2022 07:01

My baby had mild torticolis - it was from being a bit cramped during pregnancy - we also saw an osteo a few times and after a few months it had sorted itself out. He’s 6 months now and there’s no difference in movements each side. If he can’t move his head at all towards one side it sounds like severe torticolis yes- but don’t panic it’s quite common and it does normally sort itself out as they grow! Speak to the pediatrician. I remember ours saying when he’s sleeping to turn his head so he was ’looking’ the other way as he would always sleep looking to the east side. So we did that aswell but it was gone by about 3.5-4 months xx

i am hoping it’s not severe as he can move it when on his tummy/in the sling so im
hoping it’s one particular muscle when on his back that’s the issue! He’s a very long baby so could also have been cramped. With my first 2 I had bad pelvic issues so saw an osteo myself weekly in the run up to labour and this time I didn’t and I’m sure that’s the cause of all this!

thank you so so much for replying both of you it’s good to hear other experiences I’m very worried but that sounds like a speedy resolution

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:07

miraveile · 13/08/2022 07:04

All you have to do is use a toy with a bell or another noise and make it sound on the side you want him to turn his head and do this for set periods each day. My daughter was same, hated physical therapy, so I did it myself and she's fine now. It takes a few weeks but they just need to learn to use the muscles!

What do I do if he still won’t turn it? I tried this for a very long time for the last 2 days and he just won’t turn it

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jalu47 · 13/08/2022 07:09

Would definitely recommend a cranial osteopath - it will make it so much more comfortable even if it is mild. Hope it sorts itself soon x

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:12

jalu47 · 13/08/2022 07:09

Would definitely recommend a cranial osteopath - it will make it so much more comfortable even if it is mild. Hope it sorts itself soon x

i will call one today - thank you!

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Noggyone · 13/08/2022 07:18

Another vote for cranial osteopath. My DS had the same problem when he was born and ended up with a flat head on one side, so when it happened again with DS2 eleven years later I was worried, was doing all things HV had suggested (they had no other opinions other than try to encourage him to move) when someone recommended an CO for colic I thought I would give it a go. £40 an hour privately and he had three sessions over eight weeks. It was like magic and I watched him unravel and untense beneath her fingers. The colic went and pleasantly surprisingly his muscle problems resolved to. I'm not woo or wacky and honestly wasn't expecting to gain much but I would 100 recommend a CO for any newborn now after seeing how much the uncurl after being couped up for nine months x x

physwizz · 13/08/2022 07:18

Hey op. Pead physio here

Hard to say obviously without looking at him but does sound possible it's torticollis.

How's his head shape?

At 8 weeks for a torticollis there is lots of time for improvement and plenty you can do Smile

As he is still very little, sounds and lights and toys won't hold his attention for long and his strength needs to develop too so not surprised you're not seeing him do much turning on his own yet. Doesn't mean you should stop and disagree with op that it's a load of rubbish.

Make everything happen on the side he won't turn to. Approach him and get other family to approach/talk to him from this side, if he's on a playmat then pop it up against a very boring wall on the side he likes to look most so there's nothing to see there and everything is happening on other side.

When you're feeding try to very gently turn the head towards the side he won't turn to.

How to you carry him around, sling, buggy etc? And does he tolerate a bit of time on his tummy in the day?

Halfwreckedbykids · 13/08/2022 07:18

I had this with my 3 children. All emergency sections.
I took them to an osteopath. My one was a full body one not just head and sorted after a few appointments.
Get an appointment for someone you ve been given good references for.
My twins had rib issues too.
All dirty related and all the children are healthy teenagers now.

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:23

physwizz · 13/08/2022 07:18

Hey op. Pead physio here

Hard to say obviously without looking at him but does sound possible it's torticollis.

How's his head shape?

At 8 weeks for a torticollis there is lots of time for improvement and plenty you can do Smile

As he is still very little, sounds and lights and toys won't hold his attention for long and his strength needs to develop too so not surprised you're not seeing him do much turning on his own yet. Doesn't mean you should stop and disagree with op that it's a load of rubbish.

Make everything happen on the side he won't turn to. Approach him and get other family to approach/talk to him from this side, if he's on a playmat then pop it up against a very boring wall on the side he likes to look most so there's nothing to see there and everything is happening on other side.

When you're feeding try to very gently turn the head towards the side he won't turn to.

How to you carry him around, sling, buggy etc? And does he tolerate a bit of time on his tummy in the day?

Thank you for answering! He is mostly in the baby bjorn carrier (for about 50-75% of the day as he feeds in there too,
often) and we do tummy time several times a day and have for several weeks - he has very good (and seemingly equal) head control. He also sleeps in my arms. This all means he doesn’t have too much time on his back/side - probably a couple of hours a day, so I’m hoping we can avoid flat head. So far his head is symmetrical/seems normal.

in the sling his head is fine to turn either way. I have been trying to get his head to turn to the “bad side” when asleep and that seems to be fine for him. Or on my chest when awake is also fine.

i will do as you advise. I’m hoping we can see a physio this week as we have had one recommended by paedatrician I’m just trying to get an appt (if you’re in London/Greater London/Surrey please let me know!) - I will also contact a cranial osteopath.

OP posts:
Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:26

Thank you so much for all the replies everyone I didn’t expect so many so soon! Very much appreciated

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:27

The wife of my osteo is a cranial osteopath for babies so I know who I can call

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:40

Ok he is actually turning to that side now but he is having to turn his trunk as well if that makes sense - progress though

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 07:40

So he’s rolled a bit to the side in order to have his head that way

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physwizz · 13/08/2022 08:00

Has anyone seen/ diagnosed him yet op?
If he can turn to both sides in sling and when asleep with no tightness or restriction to either side it sounds like it is very mild if it is torticollis

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 09:06

physwizz · 13/08/2022 08:00

Has anyone seen/ diagnosed him yet op?
If he can turn to both sides in sling and when asleep with no tightness or restriction to either side it sounds like it is very mild if it is torticollis

Thank you that’s very reassuring! No one has given a diagnosis - I only noticed this a few days ago and I emailed my paediatrician who referred us to a physiotherapist and we are waiting to hear re appt which is why I posted here as worried. I feel somewhat encouraged by the fact we have managed to get him to turn the “bad way” today. Will post a photo so you can see he is also having to turn his trunk in order to face that way(but at least he’s doing that)

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Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 09:06

I don’t know if it’s clear what I mean from this

Baby can’t move his head to left
OP posts:
Mumteedum · 13/08/2022 09:52

Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 06:56

Ah sorry you said you’re not sure it made a difference!

Yes...I am afraid I can't really remember. What I do remember is feeling glad I went. So it won't do any harm. Might be worth it to feel like you're doing something.

It may have helped...I'm afraid I just don't remember.

I think the anxiety in that first year seems huge. Then somehow you muddle through and then they're ten or eleven and you realise all that stuff has passed and they're great!Flowers

Mumteedum · 13/08/2022 09:57

Awwww he's so beautiful 😍

Well, if he gets flat head syndrome (forgotten the proper term) he's got plenty of hair...you won't notice. And as I say, they grow up and you remember..."oh yeah...he had a flat head as a baby...." But look at them with a good mop of hair, bounding around and wonder why you ever worried. 🙂

Original poster
Giraffesandbottoms · 13/08/2022 10:36

Mumteedum · 13/08/2022 09:57

Awwww he's so beautiful 😍

Well, if he gets flat head syndrome (forgotten the proper term) he's got plenty of hair...you won't notice. And as I say, they grow up and you remember..."oh yeah...he had a flat head as a baby...." But look at them with a good mop of hair, bounding around and wonder why you ever worried. 🙂

Thank you that’s very kind - I really appreciate the input

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physwizz · 13/08/2022 12:40

Ah I see Smile he's gorgeous! So much hair!
Yeah looks like it's a little tight but he is well in his way - keep up what you are doing and I'm sure your physio appointment will also be reassuring x