What Is Torticollis?

Torticollis in babies  is a condition that causes a baby to consistently tilt or turn their head toward one side. You may notice that your baby almost always looks in the same direction, has difficulty turning their head the other way, or seems uncomfortable when you try to reposition them.

In infants, torticollis is often related to tightness or imbalance in the muscles of the neck, particularly the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. It may be present at birth or become more noticeable during the first few weeks or months of life.

Several factors may contribute to torticollis, including:

• Baby’s position in the womb
• Limited space during pregnancy, particularly with multiples or larger babies
• Birth positioning or stresses during labor and delivery
• Muscle tightness or imbalance in the neck and upper body
• A strong preference for looking toward one side after birth

Signs parents may notice include a consistent head tilt, difficulty turning the head equally in both directions, fussiness when looking toward one side, or a preference for sleeping with the head turned in the same direction. Over time, persistent positioning may also contribute to flattening on one area of the head, known as positional plagiocephaly.

How Torticollis Can Affect Feeding and Development

A baby’s ability to comfortably turn their head in both directions plays an important role in everyday activities—including feeding, tummy time, reaching, rolling, and exploring their environment.

For breastfeeding babies, torticollis may make one breast noticeably easier than the other. Your baby might latch well on one side but become frustrated, pull away, or have difficulty maintaining their latch on the opposite side. Bottle-fed babies may also demonstrate a strong preference for being held or fed in a particular position.

As babies grow, having comfortable movement in both directions helps them develop symmetrical movement patterns. A strong preference for one side can influence how they participate in tummy time, visually track people and objects, reach for toys, and eventually learn skills such as rolling and sitting.

This is why identifying torticollis early can be helpful. The goal isn’t simply to get your baby’s head “straight.” It’s to help them develop comfortable, balanced movement and give them opportunities to explore both sides of their body.

How Chiropractic Care Can Support Babies With Torticollis

Chiropractic care for infants looks very different from chiropractic care many adults may be familiar with. At Jewell Chiropractic & Wellness, our approach is gentle, individualized, and designed specifically for a baby’s developing body.

We begin by looking beyond the neck itself. Your provider may assess how comfortably your baby turns their head in each direction, as well as movement through the shoulders, spine, rib cage, and pelvis. We also consider your baby’s birth history, feeding patterns, tummy-time tolerance, and developmental milestones.

Depending on what we find, care may include gentle manual techniques, soft-tissue work, positioning strategies, and simple movements parents can practice at home. Rather than forcing a baby’s head into a particular position, the goal is to encourage comfortable movement and gradually improve range of motion and symmetry.

Torticollis care can also be collaborative. Depending on your baby’s needs, we may recommend working alongside your pediatrician, pediatric physical therapist, lactation consultant, or other members of your baby’s healthcare team.

A Whole-Family Approach

At Jewell Chiropractic & Wellness, we recognize that supporting a baby often means supporting the parent, too.

Feeding a baby who strongly prefers one side, struggling through tummy time, or worrying about head shape and developmental milestones can be stressful. We want parents to leave appointments understanding what they’re seeing, what they can work on at home, and when additional support may be helpful.

For postpartum parents receiving care themselves, services such as chiropractic care, pelvic floor therapy, core rehabilitation, and postpartum recovery support can also help address the physical demands of feeding, carrying, and caring for a new baby.

Supporting a Baby With Torticollis

A common scenario we see at Jewell Chiropractic & Wellness is a parent bringing in a young baby because they notice that their baby almost always looks toward the same side. They may also report that breastfeeding is easier on one breast, tummy time is becoming frustrating, or they’re beginning to notice flattening on one area of the baby’s head.

During the initial visit, we assess the baby’s neck movement as well as the surrounding areas that may influence how comfortably they move. We also talk with the parent about feeding, sleep positioning, tummy time, birth history, and what they’ve noticed at home.

Care is then tailored to that individual baby. Gentle hands-on techniques may be combined with simple positioning and movement exercises that parents can incorporate into everyday activities such as feeding, carrying, playing, and tummy time.

As movement becomes more comfortable, parents may begin to notice that their baby turns their head more easily in both directions, tolerates previously challenging positions better, and uses both sides of their body more evenly.

Every baby is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all timeline or treatment plan. Our goal is to identify what may be contributing to the baby’s movement preference and provide gentle, developmentally appropriate support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Torticollis in Babies

Is it normal for my baby to prefer looking to one side?

A temporary preference can happen, especially in very young babies. However, if your baby consistently looks in one direction, has difficulty turning the other way, or develops a noticeable head tilt, it’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician or another qualified pediatric provider.

How do I know if my baby has torticollis?

Common signs include a persistent head tilt, consistently looking toward the same side, limited neck movement, difficulty feeding in certain positions, or flattening on one side of the head. A healthcare professional can evaluate your baby’s movement and determine whether torticollis or another issue may be contributing.

Can torticollis affect breastfeeding?

It can. If turning toward one side is uncomfortable or difficult, a baby may prefer one breast or feeding position. Because feeding difficulties can have many causes, an IBCLC or other qualified feeding specialist can be an important part of your baby’s care team.

Can torticollis cause a flat spot on my baby’s head?

Torticollis and positional plagiocephaly often occur together. If a baby repeatedly rests with their head facing the same direction, increased pressure on one area of the skull can contribute to flattening.

Does tummy time help torticollis?

Supervised tummy time provides important opportunities for babies to strengthen their neck, shoulders, and trunk and practice moving their heads in different directions. If your baby strongly dislikes tummy time or consistently turns only one way during it, a provider can help you find modifications that are more comfortable.

What does chiropractic care for a baby look like?

Pediatric chiropractic care should be gentle and appropriate for an infant’s age and development. At Jewell Chiropractic & Wellness, care is individualized and may incorporate gentle manual techniques along with movement, positioning, and at-home strategies.

Will my baby need physical therapy?

Some babies with torticollis benefit from pediatric physical therapy, particularly when there is significant restriction, developmental asymmetry, or persistent difficulty despite home strategies. We believe in collaborative care and can recommend additional support when appropriate.

When should I have my baby evaluated?

Consider an evaluation if you notice a persistent head tilt or turning preference, difficulty moving the head in one direction, feeding difficulties related to positioning, increasing head flattening, or asymmetrical movement.

If your baby’s head tilt or limited movement appears suddenly, follows an injury, or occurs alongside fever, unusual sleepiness, vomiting, weakness, abnormal eye movements, significant pain, or other concerning symptoms, contact your pediatric healthcare provider promptly.

Helping Your Baby Move Comfortably in Both Directions

Seeing your baby repeatedly turn their head to one side can leave you wondering whether it’s simply a preference or something more.

Torticollis is common, and early evaluation can help you understand what’s contributing to your baby’s movement pattern and what support may be appropriate.

At Jewell Chiropractic & Wellness, our pediatric care focuses on gentle, individualized treatment while working collaboratively with the other members of your baby’s healthcare team.

Noticing that your baby always looks to one side? Book an appointment with our team for an evaluation, or join the Unstoppable Mom Community for education, resources, and support throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood.