What Is Positional Plagiocephaly & Positional Torticollis?
Here is some information about these two common conditions, their impact on baby’s development, and how you can help prevent them.
What is positional plagiocephaly and positional torticollis?
Positional plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, is when a baby develops a flattening on the back or side of the head. If left untreated, babies with plagiocephaly may develop vision problems and asymmetries of the head and face.
Positional torticollis occurs when the muscles in Baby’s neck become stiff or tight, which causes Baby’s head to tilt to one side. This condition sometimes affects a baby’s posture causing them to favor one side of their body.
Both of these conditions can develop when a baby spends too much time on their back or in infant equipment such as swings, car seats, etc. when awake.
When a healthcare provider, such as a physical therapist, steps in early, it can lead to better outcomes. If you have any concerns about these conditions, speak to Baby’s healthcare provider. Don’t hesitate to contact them if you’re in between well-baby visits.
Watch to learn more about torticollis:
How can I check for positional plagiocephaly and positional torticollis?
Look at Baby’s head after bath time when their hair is wet.
Common signs of positional plagiocephaly are:
- Flattened area on any part of Baby’s head. This may also look like a misshaped head.
- Missing hair or a bald spot on Baby’s head
- Uneven ears. This could be one ear higher than the other or one ear more forward than the other.
- Uneven size across the forehead, eyes or cheeks. One side may appear larger or fuller than the other.
- Nose that looks pushed to one side.
Common signs of positional torticollis are:
- Tilt of head in one direction.
- Baby prefers looking at you over one shoulder and can’t completely turn their head in the opposite direction.
- When feeding, Baby has trouble breastfeeding or bottle feeding on one side (or prefers one breast only).
What should I do if I suspect Baby has positional plagiocephaly and/or positional torticollis?
When detected early, treatment for both conditions is effective and can make a huge difference in the trajectory of Baby’s life. It is recommended parents stay up to date with their well-baby visits, and let a healthcare provider know as soon as they suspect an issue.
Parents can also consider directly reaching out to a licensed physical therapist if they suspect Baby may have either or both of these conditions. In the United States, some states allow for direct physical therapy treatment without referral from a doctor. If this is allowed in your state, reaching out directly to a physical therapist may help to ensure the condition is treated as early as possible.
Treatments
Treatment plans will differ for every baby. Many factors, including if they have one condition or both, can impact what is recommended for them. Treatment may include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- A corrective helmet to help reshape the infant’s head.
Prevention
To help prevent infants from developing these conditions:
- Change Baby’s sleeping position. Try placing baby to sleep in one direction on even days and the opposite direction on odd days.
- Make sure baby gets plenty of Tummy Time when awake. This helps build an infant’s neck, shoulder, and core muscles. Have you started Tummy Time yet?
- Move baby’s mobile to different ends of the crib to encourage looking in different directions.
- Limit the time baby spends in swings and carriers, and avoid leaving baby in one position for long periods of time.