Crooked neck/spine?

[cazoraz]

OK I seem either paranoid or extremely unhealthy this week but anyway...

I have been noticing the past few days that Cole only seems to put his head to the right when laying down.

If you try to turn his head to the left side, he fights it and quickly goes back to being on the right as soon as you let go.

I have tried him in heaps of different positions, tummy, back, in his rocker, pram etc, and every time he rets on his right cheek, never his left.

he doesnt seem to be in any pain but he just looks crooked...

Has anyone experienced back/neck probelms with their bubs? I vaguely remember someone ages ago taking their baby to the osteopath for alignment???

We have a health nurse app. on Monday and iwll ask her then, anyone else have any ideas?

xxxCaz

[Amity]

Cazz, please check with your DOCTOR about a condition called torticollis (not sure about the spelling). I have it. It is a condition whereby some of the muscles in one side of the neck are not as strong as the other side and the baby/child will naturally pull their head to one side. It can be treated with physiotherapy if caught early enough. Mine was checked at 6 weeks old, and I had two years of daily physio (done by Mum) and I'm basically fine. But it's worth checking out.

Best wishes.

[cindyb]

I have a friend whos daughter wasthe same as your little one and she ended up mentioning it to her chiropractor who treats heaps of kids and he did a small adjustment and within seconds her little girl could turn all directions. They dont crack the babies necks or backs but use what is called an activator and some massage to free things up.
You would have to call around though and find one who 'specialises' in treating babies and kids but I would definately wive it a go.
We had Victoria looked over by my chiro yesterday and she seems fine at the moment but aparently they recommend getting babies in pretty early, especially if it was a difficult birth etc.
Good luck!!

[Astrid]

Similar problem here. I took Maggie for her 4mth check at the MCH centre and the nurse picked up the she could not turn her head properly to the left. Maggie had also been refusing the breast and had been very particular with the feeding position used. It was recommend that we see an Osteopath.

We saw one today that works with babies, she was very nice and very gentle. Maggie was fine for the 1st half of the session, but was very upset for the last half. Apparently this is normal as the baby has to "work out" the problem. After a short while Maggie was able to turn fully to the left again, but she still has some tightness in her lower neck. We have to go back next week. The osteo explained that her reflux could be connected to her lower neck tightness.

Tonight she was able to feed much better, but is still not 100%. It was explained that she would be a bit unsettled for a few days.

Your MCHN should have a list of health professionals that deal with baby issues. They should be able to tell you about osteos, chiropractors or physios that can help.

Astrid

[Antheia]

Lily did the exact same thing, but she never had anything wrong with her neck she just liked putting her head on the one side. She had flat head syndrome but got over it and started sleeping with her head on both sides at about 4 months old.

[{sarah}]

One of the bubs from my mum's group did the same thing & it turned out that he had shorted muscles in one side of his neck. His mum had to do daily physio whith him to correct it, I think it took a few months but he's ok now.

[Fi]

I took Jenna to the osteo about a month ago, to maybe try and fix her chucking. (Didnt do anything by the way)

If your MCHN is anything like mine, when it comes to anything remotely judgement call, she'll send you to the dr anyway.

If you want to try an osteo, ensure you get a cranial something one. These are basically the most gentle of osteos, and they only very lightly touch the babies. Not back/neck cracking at all.

Jenna loved her trip to the osteo, so it might be the way to go. If the ostoe isn't sure, they will refer you to a dr asap.

Fi

[cazoraz]

Cazz, please check with your DOCTOR about a condition called torticollis (not sure about the spelling). I have it. It is a condition whereby some of the muscles in one side of the neck are not as strong as the other side and the baby/child will naturally pull their head to one side. It can be treated with physiotherapy if caught early enough. Mine was checked at 6 weeks old, and I had two years of daily physio (done by Mum) and I'm basically fine. But it's worth checking out.

We took Cole to the dr yesterday and she thinks it may be torticollis, she has referred us to a paed this week to see him & confirm.

thanks for your help ladies! I'll let you know what the outome is.
xxxCaz