Resolving torticollis without a helmet?
May 16, 2017 1:15 PM Subscribe
Baby has moderate torticollis (tight neck) and is developing a flat spot. Paediatrician said that with diligent efforts, we may be able to avoid a costly helmet. I'd very much like this! Has anyone been there and done that?
The special snowflake factor is that my health coverage ends in six weeks and they aren't sure we can get a helmet done in time. Step one is a physiotherapy referral, which has been set in motion already. But if there is hope of avoiding a helmet, I'd really like to get moving in the meanwhile. If anyone has successfully avoided needing a helmet after hearing this news, what did you do?
The special snowflake factor is that my health coverage ends in six weeks and they aren't sure we can get a helmet done in time. Step one is a physiotherapy referral, which has been set in motion already. But if there is hope of avoiding a helmet, I'd really like to get moving in the meanwhile. If anyone has successfully avoided needing a helmet after hearing this news, what did you do?
are you always putting him the same direction in the crib? we were a little worried about a flat spot early on and just started rotating our son 180 degrees every night so that the things that grab his interest aren't in the same place.
posted by noloveforned at 1:31 PM on May 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by noloveforned at 1:31 PM on May 16, 2017 [2 favorites]
My nephew had a moderate torticollis and they had luck with a few months (I think like 10 or 12 appointments) of weekly PT (no helmet).
posted by vunder at 1:37 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by vunder at 1:37 PM on May 16, 2017
I just want to point out that the study in the first linked article specifically excluded babies with torticollis.
Most cases of torticollis do require physical therapy, whether or not you use a helmet. In terms of things you can do on your own in the meantime, repositioning him so he doesn't spend too long laying in one position, and minimizing time laying on the flat spot, is the main thing.
posted by telepanda at 1:42 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
Most cases of torticollis do require physical therapy, whether or not you use a helmet. In terms of things you can do on your own in the meantime, repositioning him so he doesn't spend too long laying in one position, and minimizing time laying on the flat spot, is the main thing.
posted by telepanda at 1:42 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
did they give a sheet with stretches to do for the baby? We got a handout similar to this one, which was to be done in addition to regular/weekly physical therapy.
posted by typecloud at 1:57 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by typecloud at 1:57 PM on May 16, 2017
An exercise ball was also very helpful for helping the kid like tummy time a little more.
posted by typecloud at 2:03 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by typecloud at 2:03 PM on May 16, 2017
My girl had a very tight and sore neck and developed a flat side. We weren't offered a helmet. We were given exercises which I wasn't diligent about doing because it felt mean. I used a wedge thingy to make her sleep on her side instead of her back, so she slept on the other side of her head. The main resolver of her asymmetry was time passing and her being more active and upright.
posted by slightlybewildered at 2:27 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by slightlybewildered at 2:27 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
My son had a pseudo-tumour in his neck that caused his torticollis. (It resolved itself in the first year of his life.)
A physiotherapist gave me a set of exercises (that I did on him multiple times, daily) and a general instructions to
1) turn his head and stretch his neck against its natural twist whenever I could
2) limit time spend on his back (no seats, swings, strollers, etc.)
For both of these things, I found baby-wearing to be ideal. I could gently position his chin to stretch his neck and it kept weight off his skull. Plus all the snuggles.
He hated tummy time, but we slogged through with the exercises (neck stretches and promoting movement against the twist). His head symmetry is fine. Physio was really helpful. Best of luck to you and babe!
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 2:51 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
A physiotherapist gave me a set of exercises (that I did on him multiple times, daily) and a general instructions to
1) turn his head and stretch his neck against its natural twist whenever I could
2) limit time spend on his back (no seats, swings, strollers, etc.)
For both of these things, I found baby-wearing to be ideal. I could gently position his chin to stretch his neck and it kept weight off his skull. Plus all the snuggles.
He hated tummy time, but we slogged through with the exercises (neck stretches and promoting movement against the twist). His head symmetry is fine. Physio was really helpful. Best of luck to you and babe!
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 2:51 PM on May 16, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pretty much what slightlybewildered said. My son developed a small flat spot on the back of his head, but once he could roll over at around 6-7 months it resolved itself. At 15 months, it's completely gone.
Also, I've mostly heard that the helmet is usually paid for out-of-pocket (I may be wrong.) Our insurance is really great but the helmet was not completely covered.
posted by Everydayville at 4:14 PM on May 16, 2017
Also, I've mostly heard that the helmet is usually paid for out-of-pocket (I may be wrong.) Our insurance is really great but the helmet was not completely covered.
posted by Everydayville at 4:14 PM on May 16, 2017
My eldest son had torticollis and a flat spot. We did the PT for a few months (I dont really remember how long, honestly), plus I half-heartedly did the stretching exercises and tummy time, but not as often as I was supposed to. All was resolved without the helmet.
posted by Joh at 4:27 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by Joh at 4:27 PM on May 16, 2017
Does your baby have silent reflux or GERD?
If so, treating the pain of the GERD with Zantac and encouraging breastfeeding or bottle feeding with the head turned opposite the torticollis can encourage the muscles to release on their own. We also put him to sleep on a wedge.
My son's torticollis disappeared by 3 months once we got his GERD pain under control.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 5:19 PM on May 16, 2017
If so, treating the pain of the GERD with Zantac and encouraging breastfeeding or bottle feeding with the head turned opposite the torticollis can encourage the muscles to release on their own. We also put him to sleep on a wedge.
My son's torticollis disappeared by 3 months once we got his GERD pain under control.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 5:19 PM on May 16, 2017
Response by poster: Everydayville, he's six months now and actually gets a ton of tummy time, so I was surprised it was as bad as it was. I thought I was doing everything right. The doctor tried to turn his head and his whole body rolled with it.
posted by ficbot at 7:14 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by ficbot at 7:14 PM on May 16, 2017
My son had torticollis and had physical therapy for it. One of our favorite exercises was "sweet cheek". He had trouble turning his head to the right. I would hold him and give him kisses on his left cheek, using my face to gently encourage him to turn his head to the right. The kisses seemed to make it more tolerable for him.
posted by Anne Neville at 5:27 PM on May 17, 2017
posted by Anne Neville at 5:27 PM on May 17, 2017
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But to be honest, the flat spot thing really worried me (my kid had a small but noticeable one) and now a few years on I can't even tell where it used to be! So perhaps it's less worrisome than it seems.
posted by caoimhe at 1:22 PM on May 16, 2017