Your Care Instructions

Congenital torticollis is a problem your baby was born with. It means his or her head is tilted. The chin points to one shoulder, and the back of the head tilts toward the other shoulder. It happens because a neck muscle is shortened. This does not cause pain.

You may notice a lump in your baby's neck muscle. The lump usually goes away on its own.

Your baby needs treatment, which involves tilting your baby's head back to its normal position. This prevents your baby's face and skull from growing unevenly. Treatment also helps give your baby better movement of the head and neck.

Torticollis is also called wryneck.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Stretch your baby's tight neck muscle several times a day. Your doctor or a physiotherapist will show you how to do this. In general:
  • Put your baby on his or her back on a changing table or a carpeted floor.
  • If your baby's head is tilted to the right, gently tilt your baby's left ear toward the left shoulder. The chin points toward the right shoulder.
  • If your baby's head is tilted to the left, gently tilt your baby's right ear toward the right shoulder. The chin points toward the left shoulder.
• Do things so that your baby turns his or her chin toward the correct shoulder.
  • During feeding, hold your baby in a way that makes him or her turn the chin to the correct position.
  • Place your baby in the crib or changing table so that he or she turns the chin the correct way in order to see the room.
  • Place toys and other objects in such a way that your baby turns his or her head to see them and play with them.
• Lay your baby on his or her stomach on a firm surface. This is known as "tummy time." This position helps your baby learn to lift his or her head. This strengthens and stretches your baby's neck muscles.
  • Sing songs or place toys in certain places to get your baby to turn his or her head in the correct position.
  • Make sure you watch your baby during tummy time. Don't leave your baby unattended when he or she is in this position.