Update on Torticollis and Positional Plagiocephaly

Rowyn Grace Sommer 10-16-08

I wanted to update yall on Rowyn's condition.

We took her to see the pediatric physical therapist on Thurs 10-16...

(Miss Rowyn is ready to go)

Chris met me there...

We were seen by Kim Solari...

and right away she confirmed to me that she does not think Rowyn has TORTICOLLIS... yipee... She went ahead and went through the daily stretches with us anyways... it doesnt hurt to know how to do them.

She did however confirm that she does have POSITIONAL PLAGIOCEPHALY

So she gave us some "Repositioning" tips for keeping Rowyn off of her head...
1. tummytime, tummytime, tummytime

(these were taken today 10-20-08)

..........basically, keep her off the back of her head as much as possible for the next 2 months...

....................she explained that a babies brain grows the fastest from 0-6months, and the brain growth is the only thing that will eventually push that flat spot back out...so it is absolutely imparitive that we keep her off the back of her head as much as possible.
2. when feeding her we have to lay her neck in the web of our hand between our thumb and index finger, so that her head is not laying on any surface.

..........or lay her on her side in her boppy(this seems to work better, she likes this postion better than being held, she is kinda long and gets all scrunched up in our stomach.)

3. she suggested that we get a puzzle piece mat

for the floor since we have hard woods... she said this might make it more enjoyable for her to be on her belly.

4. She also suggested that we get a side sleeper

so that even while she is sleeping... she is not laying on the flat spot.

The bolsters are repositionable(velcro) so you can take them off... turn the incline to the

side, like this... so that gravity will pull her little neck to want to lay the right way...

5. Lastly, she suggested that we get a big giant "yoga/therapy" ball

to play with rowyn on... its soft on her

tummy... and swaying her from side to side will cause her to pull away from the pull of gravity and stretch her little neck muscles.

Some additional things we have come up with...

side sleeping in the bobby....

is rolling up receiving blankets and postitioning them behind her neck to keep her head from resting on any highchair back.

and double'n up with the bobby pillows.
Please reply and let us know what you think.

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Internet Tips

While sleeping in a crib, cradle or playpen
Infants should be placed on their back for every sleep. Side sleeping is not as safe as lying on the back and is not advised. However, you can change your baby’s sleeping position by alternating your child’s direction in the crib. For example, place the baby’s head at the top of the crib one night and toward the bottom the next night. You also may try changing the baby’s head position—placing the infant to sleep with the head to one side for a night and then changing to the other side the next night.
Consider moving your baby's crib to different areas of the room; but be sure not to have your baby's crib always facing a wall. Babies are attracted to light and will try to turn their heads toward a window.
Once your baby is asleep, gently move his or her head to the non-preferred side (away from the flattened area).
Try placing a mobile on the side of the crib or playpen to encourage your baby to look in that direction.
During playtime
Be sure your baby gets plenty of supervised "tummy time" when he or she is awake. Tummy time gives your baby's head a rest, and encourages the use of arm, leg and neck muscles, which helps to strengthen them. The more time your baby can spend playing on his or her tummy, the better.
Try to reduce the amount of time your baby spends in car seats, carriers, swings, high chairs and other devices that allow your child to rest on the back of his or her head.
If your baby has torticollis, your doctor may teach you some home exercises that can help stretch and massage your baby's contracting neck muscles.
While feeding:
Alternate the arm you use to hold your baby while bottle or breastfeeding.
When feeding, encourage your baby to turn his or her head away from the preferred side.
Additional tips:
You can use soft pillows or rolled-up towels to hold you baby's head in position while in a car seat or carrier. Some companies make specially designed pillows to help hold the baby's head in the preferred position. Be sure to first ask for your doctor's advice.
Change your baby’s diapers from the side. This encourages the baby to turn his or her head to look at you.
Try using a front carrier rather than a car seat/carrier when you go out with your baby--and even around the house. Babies enjoy being held.

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Love, Chris, Megan & Rowyn Sommer

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