Whenever we put Lucy in her bouncer or on her back, she turns her head to the right. We try to move it either straight forward or to the left, and she turns it right back. Did any of your kids do this? I wonder if it’s something that’s normal or not. Any ideas?
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It could be torticollus ( I think that is close to the correct spelling) Don’t be alarmed, my son had it but it was easily fixable with some stretches. We talked to his dr. who referred us to a physical therapist. They did an eval and showed us some stretches to do at home. It only took my son about 1 1/2 months to fix it which was really fast, most times it takes longer but it all depends on the parent and following through with the neck stretches. Basically, it’s liked a pulled muscle in their neck and they don’t turn their head to the other side cause it hurts, can’t blame them there! I looked through old pictures and also noticed he was slighly tilted one way. Some kids also will get a flat spot on the side of their head that they lean to. Sorry, this is such a long comment but overall, not a huge deal but I would call your dr. or if she has a well check soon, tell them then.
Does she do the same thing when she sleeps, too? Or on the changing table? Maybe try putting something really exciting (like a marching band! hahaha) on her left side so she’ll turn that way.
My son was similar, he always faced one way (and as a result he’s got a bit of a flat head). I really tried working around this by actually putting his head in the direction I wanted when he was doing tummy time and stuff. Don’t force it by any means, but just keep turning it so her muscles in her little neck get stretched, too. In my son’s chair I would roll up a hand towel and place it on the side he’d turn to so it’d encourage him to look the other way.
If she continues doing it, regardless of your assistance, I would see a doctor – she might have some pretty tight neck muscles. I’m sure it’s nothing, a lot of babies generally do have a preference of which way they lay and keep their heads.
I would definitely see your doctor asap. It is a bigger deal than some people think. My baby was just diagnosed with plagiocephaly although she does not have torticollis. We now have to have her wear a doc band (helmet) for about 2 months. I noticed her preferring one side to the other as well and everyone said that babies just do that. Well, they shouldn’t. If you catch it early enough hopefully you will not have to deal with plagiocephaly as well. Here is a great website for reference http://www.cranialtech.com/
You can see my blog for more details…but I would at least see your doctor and pediatrician. I hate to freak you out but
Ddn’t waste time…the sooner you treat it the better.
**see you doctor and physical therapist rather!!
I would think that she’s fine, but I’m not a doctor and don’t know for sure. Maybe try Nanette’s suggestion of putting something interesting on the other side or playing a sound and seeing if she’ll look that direction. Ask the pediatrician would be my advice.
It may be nothing, or it may be something potentially serious, like some of your other commenters have said. I would try Nanette’s suggestion first…try to entice her to turn her head the other way. If she’s reluctant or won’t do it at all…then I’d have her checked.