Does Anyone Have Any Experience with Infants with Torticollis?

Hi C.!!
One of my twins had torticollis, diagnosed @ 7 months. She had Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy as well.

hello C.! congratulations on your babies! I don't have personal experience, but two of my close friends have newborns with torticollis. they both receive therapy through early intervention from the state. ask your pediatrition for their phone number..they should have it. if not, call up your public school system, they can give you the number also.

M.

please do the physcial therphy and push for it we didnt and now at 7mo my dd is going for it she is not sitting up or rolling over she also has flatting of her head in the back/side on the left behind the ear and we are in the process of getting her the helment feel free to e-mail me with any other questions
H. mommy of 5 soon to be 6

You have some good advice from the other responders who have actually had a child with torticollis. Although my children didn't, a good friend (who is conveniently, a PT) has twins who had this condition. In addition to the PT she did with them, she also made simple changes to their routines like switching the direction they faced on the changing table or in the crib every time (e.g. put their heads where their feet were at the last changing or nap time). This way, if they wanted to see mom, they had to turn their head the opposite way each time. Just an idea, hope it helps.

Hi C.!

My son (now 20 months old) was diagnosed with it at 2 months old. He received physical therapy though a pediatric physical therapist for 6 months twice a week. It made an almost immediate difference. They do simple stretches to build up the weak muscle in your child's neck (which is why your child's neck tilts to one side). We received services through Early Intervention. There are equivilent type services in other states but it is called early intervention in NY. It is a free of charge service where your child can receive the pt in house! You go for an evaluation at an early intervention agency and they determine how much and what services your child needs.

Best of luck to you!

Hi.

My son had this too. He is 3 months now and seems to be doing better. You should take him t oa physical therapist who will show you how to do various exercises with your baby. Do it right away though so it can correct. Your pediatrician should be able to provide a recommendation.

Best of luck,

W.

W.

Hi C. ~

Both of my kids had tort when they were born. My DD had pediatric PT once a week for 6 mo. and it went well. She never had any flat spots on her head, etc. from laying on one side. On the otherhand, my DS had the same but he had a flat spot on his head and wound up wearing a helmet for 3 mo. The earlier you start them with PT (and/or if they need a helmet) the better. Once they hit the 8mo mark, their heads start to slow down tremendously in growing. They do a lot of stretching in PT and will have you do the exercises at home. If you need or want more info, you can email directly at ____@____.com

Thanks, M.

Hi-
I have a 5 month old little girl who has Torticollis and a best friend who is a ped PT. i spoke to my doc who recomended PT. I also called Early intervention which is therapy for free given through the county that you live in until the child is 3 years old or no longer needs services. The child must have a 33% delay in development to qualify. My daughter has torticollis and is a litle low muscle tone so i was told she probably wouldn't qualify. I tried anyway and she did qualify. She now gets theraphy in our home twice a week for 45 minutes. I tried a private PT and it was very hard to find someone that specialized in ped's and i wasn't happy with the place or the therapist, it was dirty and they weren't baby friendly. if you need more info email me ____@____.com
-J.

My newphew had Toticollis and he had to go to physical therapy to correct his neck. Also, he currently has flat head. Make sure to change your babies heads frequently. Don't let them favor one side, especially the side where Torticollis is in the neck. Once you bring your babies to therapy the neck muscles will strengthen and they will be able to move their heads normally. Hope this helps.

I was a PTA (physical therapist assistant) prior to being a stay at home mom. The condition is very treatable and I would definitely recommend PT. The treatment will consist of a lot of stretching and also your involvement at home with stretches. I worked at Chilton Sports Medicine and Rehab and there are excellent therapists there and one that I know that has treated children with this condition- his name is Angelo. They are located in Riverdale/Pequannock ###-###-####) so I'm not sure how close that is for you, but I would definitely look into going for physical therapy. If you need any further assistance you can email me ____@____.com Luck in your search and your little one will be fine!!

Hi C.

My oldest son was diagnosed with torticollis at 8 weeks old. I took him to outpatient physical therapy at St Charles in Port Jefferson. His therapists name was Pat and she was wonderful! He went to therapy until he was 8 months old and is perfectly fine now (he is almost 3 years old).

I was told later on that you are entitled to FREE in home physical therapy when your child is diagnosed with torticollis. Check with your pediatrician. With twins it might be a lot easier for the therapist to come to you.

Good luck!
K. S

Hello, my 18 mo old had torticollis when he was born.
There used to be a site www.torticoliskids.com (.org/.net not sure) that was very helpful. Our Occupational Therapist pulled excercises for him from this site.
We took him to both a Chiro and an Occupational Therapist. Both did great work. The Chiro did more deep muscle and the Occupational Therapist did more stretching and excercises. The OT taught us excercises to do at home too. Don't know if this helped any.
As for having twins.. that's great. As for overwhelming have you joined a Mother's of Multiples group? I know there's one in Fairfield County, CT. I can get their info if you would like?
R. B.