Chiropractor for baby who tilts head??

[dazed and confused]

My 9 week old has always tilted her head to one side when both asleep and awake, resulting in head being flatter on that side, and it doesn't seem to be improving. Has anyone had success with using a chiropractor or osteopath for this type of thing? Any recommendations for good chiro's in the Sydney area? :confused:

[Elfin]

Hi

My friend's baby had this problem. Her baby's head was getting flatter and flatter and her gp and pede told her not to worry about it. But her mother's intuition told her it was a problem and a child health nurse referred her to a peadiactric (spelling) physiotherapist. She had a few sessions with the physio and did some exercises with her baby at home and it fixed the problem really quickly with no obvious lasting effects. My friend was really glad she ignored her doctors and got onto the problem early.

I am in Brisbane so can't help you with names but ask your child health nurse or gp for a recommendation.

Easterlily

[xkwzit]

Often babies have a preference due to the way they were lying in the womb. My first baby did, but she grew out of it before any flattening was apparent. Try putting them down at the other end of the cot (baby tends to turn towards windows / doors). A child health nurse also recommended to me that you put a rolled up hand towel or nappy underneath baby's shoulder once they're asleep to keep them turned towards (and resting their head on) the unfavoured side.

Hope these suggestions help, probably worth a try before seeing a professional :) .

Cheers

[bloomingbellies]

Hi dazed

There is some great advice already but as a paediatric physio I had to add my thoughts as well.

This is pretty common and easily rectified with a home program of gentle stretching and some positioning ideas.

First is to rule out that there is no structural cause (malshaped bony vertebrae in the neck) - very rare and that the problem is habitual from positioning in the womb. Also Did you have a forceps delivery or any birth complications?

There are a few options for people to see. A visist to your child health nurse or gp is a good start and they may recommend you to a peadiatric physio (private or public - local hospital or community health centre usually), osteopath or chiropractor. Whoever you see be careful that they are never forceful with your baby's neck. As mentioned previously a physio will give you positioning advice, some "exercises' and stretching techniques.

Gentle stretching of the neck regularly through the day - after nappy changes, in the bath (bub relaxed) or after helps.

As well as where you place your bub in the cot changing where you place the cot in the room helps. If not already place it so that they have to turn to their unfavoured side to see you enter the door.

Try carrying your baby along your forearm - unfavoured side down to begin with to encourage "neutral position". As bub improves swap to favoured side down and encourage baby to use muscles against gravity to pull up to look around.

Make sure you have a roll around their head in the carseat / capsule (and cot if they tolerate it) to keep them in a 'neutral' position.

Encourage tummy time - start with 5-10 minutes and increase to 20-30 mins as their awake time increases (nanpy free time as well if you are game!). Prop your baby up with a rolled handtowel / cloth nappy under their shoulders to begin with. Introduce toys from their unfavoured side. Get down on the floor with them as they love to look up to see your face or use a big mirror in front.

Just a few ideas. Hope they help. I am on the Sunshine Coast (Qld) so can not help with a Sydney physio sorry.
Cheers
Liz