Torticollis 101: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What Parents Can Do

Parenthood is full of unexpected learning curves. You prepare for sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, and the adorable sound of your baby’s first giggles. But what many parents don’t expect is discovering something called torticollis during those first months of life. If your pediatrician, lactation consultant, or physical therapist has mentioned it, you may feel worried, confused, or overwhelmed. The good news? Torticollis is common, treatable, and not a reflection of anything you did wrong as a parent.

In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know:

• What torticollis is and how to recognize it

• Why it happens (both during pregnancy and after birth)

• How it can affect feeding, play, and development

• Steps parents can take at home to support their baby

• When to seek professional help and what treatment looks like

• Encouragement that your baby can thrive with the right support

What Is Torticollis?

The word torticollis comes from the Latin tortus (twisted) and collum (neck). Put simply, it means a tightening or imbalance of the neck muscles that causes a baby to hold their head tilted to one side.

In most infants, this involves the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, which runs from just below the ear down to the collarbone. When this muscle is shortened or tight, it can pull the baby’s head in one direction.

Signs of Torticollis in Babies

Parents often notice things like:

• Your baby consistently tilts their head to one side

• They prefer to look in only one direction

• Difficulty turning their head fully both ways

• A flat spot on one side of the head (plagiocephaly) from favoring one side

• Fussiness at the breast or bottle, especially if feeding requires turning toward the “hard” side

Sometimes, you may feel a small lump in your baby’s neck muscle (a benign muscle “knot” that typically resolves with therapy).

How Common Is It?

Torticollis is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in infancy. Research suggests it affects about 3 in every 100 babies, but many more cases go undiagnosed because parents or providers assume it’s just a “quirky” preference.

Since the Back to Sleep campaign (now Safe to Sleep) began in the 1990s to reduce SIDS, babies spend more time on their backs. This has been lifesaving — but it also means more babies develop head-turn preferences and flat spots. As a result, torticollis diagnoses have risen.

Why Does Torticollis Happen?

There’s no single cause, but several factors can contribute:

1. Positioning in the Womb

Some babies develop tightness before birth. If your baby had limited space in the womb (common with twins, breech position, or late pregnancy), their neck muscles may have tightened in one direction.

2. Birth Process

A long labor, forceps or vacuum delivery, or positioning during birth can sometimes strain the neck muscles.

3. Post-Birth Positioning

After birth, babies who spend a lot of time lying in one position — in swings, car seats, or always looking toward one side in the crib — may develop torticollis.

4. Neurological or Orthopedic Conditions (Rare)

In a small number of cases, torticollis may be linked to underlying conditions. This is why professional evaluation is important if you’re concerned.

How Torticollis Affects Daily Life

At first, torticollis may just look like a head tilt or turning preference. But left unaddressed, it can affect many aspects of your baby’s development.

Head Shape (Plagiocephaly)

Favoring one side can lead to flat spots on the skull. While helmets are sometimes prescribed, often addressing torticollis early prevents the need.

Motor Skills

Neck tightness can delay rolling, crawling, or sitting since babies need symmetrical muscle use to meet milestones.

Comfort and Sleep

A tilted head may make tummy time harder or cause fussiness during naps if the baby feels stuck in one position.

Feeding and Torticollis: Why Eating Can Be Difficult

One of the most immediate ways torticollis shows up is during feeding. Because eating involves head and neck movement, tightness in the muscles can make it hard for a baby to find a comfortable, efficient position.

Breastfeeding Challenges

• Difficulty Latching on One Side: Babies may strongly prefer one breast because it requires less turning of the head. This can create uneven milk removal and sometimes affect supply.

• Shallow Latch: A tilted head may prevent the baby from opening wide and achieving the deep latch needed for comfortable, effective feeding.

• Clicking or Slipping Off the Breast: Poor positioning may cause the baby to lose suction, leading to gassiness, frustration, or longer feeds.

• Parent Discomfort: If you have to contort yourself to get your baby to feed, it may cause back, shoulder, or nipple pain.

Bottle-Feeding Challenges

• Strong Side Preference: Babies may only want to be fed in one arm hold, which can make feeds awkward or limit head movement.

• Leaking Milk: If their head tilt prevents proper seal on the bottle, you may see dribbling or coughing during feeds.

• Swallowing Air: A poor angle can cause excessive gulping and gas.

• Uneven Feeding Duration: They may take longer feeds or fatigue easily because of neck strain.

Why Feeding Help Matters

Feeding is not only about nutrition — it’s also about comfort, bonding, and developmental practice for oral motor skills. When torticollis interrupts this, babies may eat less efficiently, parents may feel stressed, and feeding can shift from joyful to frustrating.

The good news is that addressing torticollis often improves feeding almost immediately. With physical therapy, positioning strategies, and sometimes lactation support, most babies return to comfortable, efficient eating.

What Parents Can Do: Gentle At-Home Steps

The encouraging news is that parents play a huge role in supporting their baby’s progress. Here are some evidence-based strategies:

1. Practice Tummy Time

Placing your baby on their tummy while awake helps strengthen neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Even short sessions (a few minutes at a time) several times a day make a difference.

2. Encourage Head Turning

• Place toys or yourself on the baby’s non-preferred side.

• When feeding, alternate arms so your baby practices turning both ways.

• Position the crib so your baby naturally looks toward the “hard” side to see you enter.

3. Hold and Carry in Different Ways

• Use upright holds on the non-preferred side.

• Try babywearing to reduce time lying flat and to promote neck mobility.

4. Gentle Stretching

Your pediatrician or physical therapist may teach you safe, gentle stretches to lengthen the tight muscle. These are most effective when done consistently but should always be demonstrated first by a professional to prevent strain.

Professional Help: What to Expect

If you suspect torticollis, your first step should be your pediatrician. They may refer you to:

• Physical therapy: The gold standard of treatment. Therapists guide you in positioning, stretches, and play activities tailored to your baby.

• Occupational therapy or lactation support: For feeding challenges linked to torticollis.

• Helmet therapy (in some cases): If head flattening is severe and not improving with repositioning.

Most babies respond well to early intervention — with many showing major improvements within a few months.

When to Call the Doctor Right Away

While torticollis is usually benign, seek medical advice promptly if you notice:

• Stiffness that seems painful for your baby

• Poor head control beyond expected age

• Unequal use of arms or legs

• Delays in rolling, sitting, or crawling

• Concerns about vision or hearing

These may suggest additional issues that need addressing.

Parent Emotions Matter Too

Hearing that your baby has torticollis can trigger guilt, anxiety, or frustration. Remember:

• You did nothing wrong.

• Many babies experience this, and treatment is highly effective.

• By noticing early and seeking help, you are giving your child the best start.

Try to celebrate small wins — like when your baby turns their head a little farther or enjoys tummy time longer. Progress may be gradual, but it’s meaningful.

Preventing Torticollis and Supporting Healthy Development

Even if your baby hasn’t been diagnosed, you can promote healthy neck movement:

• Alternate feeding sides

• Rotate head positions during sleep (while always placing baby on their back)

• Limit prolonged use of swings, bouncers, or car seats outside travel

• Offer supervised tummy time daily

Long-Term Outlook

Most babies with torticollis go on to meet developmental milestones and grow into active toddlers. With timely care, long-term effects are rare.

For some, minor head tilt or preference may linger but doesn’t affect overall function. What matters most is early recognition and consistent support.

Final Reassurance for Parents

If you’re reading this because you’re worried, take a deep breath. Torticollis is a bump in the road, not a lifelong barrier. With simple daily routines, supportive therapy, and your loving attention, your baby can overcome this challenge.

Remember: your role is not to be perfect but to be present. You’re already doing an incredible job noticing, learning, and caring. And that — more than anything — is what your baby needs most.