Preventing Plagiocephaly and Torticollis in Infants
You are on the hunt for the perfect car seat, winding your way through a wild maze of baby gear that beeps and shines. Shopping feels less like buying for a baby and more like prepping for a Mars mission. The gadgets are cool, but if you ever needed a personal guide through all that flashing plastic, you would not be alone.
With advice coming from all sides—including every aunt, neighbor, and search engine—it is hard to know what your baby really needs for healthy development. You hear about tummy time, floor play, and sometimes strange words like plagiocephaly and torticollis. The internet is packed with opinions and sometimes confusion, so let us clear things up and talk about real movement, real risks, and real solutions. If you do face concerns, physical therapists are ready to help.
The Big Concerns: Plagiocephaly and Torticollis
First up, let us talk flat spots and tight necks. These sound scary but are very common. Some babies develop a flat area on the back or side of the head, especially in the first few months. That soft skull makes squeezing through the birth canal possible, but it can also shift shape when there is too much pressure in one spot. This is called plagiocephaly, or “flat head syndrome.” The head might look a little uneven, or you might notice one ear pushed forward.
Now, torticollis is all about the neck. This is when a baby’s neck muscles get tight on one side, so their head tilts or turns mostly in one direction. The baby might sleep looking one way or always glance over the same shoulder. Sometimes this happens as a result of spending a lot of time in one position, or even the way the baby was positioned before birth.
Both of these conditions might make feeding a struggle or keep your baby from noticing the world around them evenly. Good news—babies’ bones and muscles change quickly, and the sooner you spot these things, the better.
The Many Benefits of Movement
Giving your baby lots of time to move is worth it. Each turn, stretch, push, and roll helps their muscles get strong in all the right places. The brain wires up with every hand grab or foot kick. These moments also help babies explore their world and learn to solve problems.
Babies who move freely often meet their milestones with more confidence. Floor time gives space for stretching, rolling, eventually crawling, and even practicing sitting without support.
Keeping It Real: What To Do At Home
Life is not a contest to see which parent can offer the most tummy time hours. With a wiggly baby and a busy day, some moments will go better than others. Celebrate every inch of progress. If you ever notice your baby always looking the same way or struggling to turn their head, reach out to your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist for advice.
Physical therapy is not just for fixing big problems. It is for fine-tuning your baby’s start in life, making sure no flat spot or tight muscle stands in the way of growing up strong.
When To Ask for a Little Extra Help
If the back of your baby’s head looks especially flat, or you see a definitely strong neck preference to one side, it makes sense to check in with your doctor. They might reassure you that things look good, or they might suggest a visit with a pediatric physical therapist. Waiting lets problems dig deeper. Early help is much easier (and more fun) than later corrections.
Other clues your baby might benefit from therapy: trouble lifting the head during tummy time, a visible tilt to the head, or frequent struggles feeding from one side. Therapists work with lots of babies and will quickly make a plan that matches your child’s needs.
Tips and Tricks from Physical Therapists
Physical therapists shine in the creativity department. Here are some tried-and-true tricks that make life easier and boost your baby’s development:
- Place a favorite rattle or musical toy on your baby’s less preferred side and cheer them on when they turn toward it
- Practice tummy time after every diaper change, even if it is just a minute or two
- Lay your baby across your lap or over your legs for extra comfort during tummy time
- Alternate which end of the crib your baby sleeps at each night
- Prop up a mirror on the floor so your baby can watch themselves play and work those neck and trunk muscles in new ways
Therapists know some babies resist new positions at first. They will show you ways to keep things light—including singing silly songs, blowing bubbles, or using gentle rocking to keep your baby happy.
What To Expect in Physical Therapy
If your first visit to physical therapy is coming up, you can breathe a little easier. You will not be asked to run an obstacle course or rate your baby’s ability to lift weights. Instead, your therapist will watch how your baby moves, reaches, and tracks with their eyes. You might see them gently test how easily your baby’s head turns, whether they notice toys on both sides, and how their muscles feel. Your baby stays comfortable and safe—you might even do all of this during play.
The therapist will show you how to encourage your baby to look both ways, roll, push up, and spend more time on their tummies. They will give you hands-on practice, so you leave confident about what to do at home. Follow-up visits help you track progress, learn new exercises, and celebrate each small win.
A Few Final Words
No baby needs fancy gear to grow well. Blankets, friendly faces, and a warm space on the floor are the best start. Your baby learns by watching, reaching, and stretching in new directions. Physical therapists are there to help with ideas, support every step, and offer a safety net if you ever feel stuck.
Watching your baby discover the world, a little stronger each day, is the best kind of magic—no batteries or speakers required. If you are ever worried, ask. Help is close by, and together, you can keep your baby moving forward.
What Is Eyas Landing?
“Eyas” is defined as a young hawk in the developmental stage of learning to fly. At Eyas Landing, it’s not only
about the flight, but also the landing. “As our clients succeed in therapy, they succeed in every aspect of their daily life.”- Dr. Laura Mraz, OTD, OTR/L Founder of Eyas Landing since 2007
Three Birds. One Mission.
Eyas Landing is just one part of your child’s journey! Our sister companies, Blue Bird Day and Merlin Day Academy, work together to support your child as they grow. Blue Bird Day, our therapeutic preschool and kindergarten program, is an intensive rotational therapeutic program designed to provide children ages 2-7 with the tools they need to succeed in a classroom environment. Merlin Day Academy— accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education—provides special education and multi-disciplinary therapy for children ages 6-14 with neuro-diverse learning needs.
Eyas Landing is a therapy clinic with a mission to provide evidence-based and family-centered therapy services for children, adolescents, and their families. The primary goal is to deliver relationship-based interventions within the most natural environments and to empower families to reach their full potential. To achieve this goal, our highly educated, compassionate staff dedicates time and expertise to create experiences that maximize therapeutic outcomes. The strength, determination, and perseverance of our clients are evident as they succeed in therapy, and ultimately in their daily lives.
Eyas Landing offers a wide range of comprehensive services including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA Therapy, Social Work, Family Therapy, and Neuropsych testing. Services are provided throughout the Chicagoland area via Telehealth, In-Home, and in our state of the art clinic.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
