A Guide to Gentle Stretching and Positioning

for Babies with Torticollis

Have you noticed that your baby tends to prefer looking to one side or feeding on one side and may get fussy when you try to switch. So you turn to Google and look up what causes this and find out it may be torticollis.

This leads you to wonder what the best stretches for torticollis may be. And, once you read enough about torticollis you start to wonder if you have it yourself after all the time looking at your sweet new baby. Lucky for you we have outlined the best stretches for your little one’s torticollis.

First, in case you landed here instead of other places on the internet and are wondering what torticollis is, we have you covered!

Torticollis is a condition where a baby's neck muscles tighten causing babies to tilt their heads to one side while their chin points in the opposite direction. This muscle imbalance usually limits the baby’s ability to turn their head fully. This lack of mobility can have short term and long term implications, making early identification and intervention crucial for proper development. 

A comprehensive treatment plan is key to addressing torticollis. Not only can it help improve a baby’s neck mobility and positioning, but it can also support timely achievement of developmental milestones. Additionally, parents learn essential techniques to care for their child and promote proper muscle function.

The primary focus of treatment revolves around being purposeful with play and positioning. Depending on your baby’s age, much of this can be done through gentle stretching exercises—specifically side bending and rotation movements—along with positioning techniques to encourage improved neck movement. Below is an overview of effective stretches and positioning strategies that parents can easily incorporate into their daily routines for purposeful play and positioning.

Proper positioning can be very helpful for stretching and strengthening the muscles on the affected side of the neck. These strategies are easy to integrate into daily care routines.

Additional Tips for Torticollis

• Position your baby across your shoulder or in baby carriers so they face their non-preferred side
• During feedings, position them to encourage turning their head to the non-preferred side.
• In the crib, arrange activities or visual stimuli on the non-preferred side to promote head turning in that direction.
• Use stimulating toys and position yourself on the non-preferred side to encourage neck rotation in that direction, and make that side as exciting as possible. 

When to Seek Professional Support

Is your baby showing signs of torticollis despite trying stretching, floor time, and positioning? 

Don’t hesitate to reach out - it might be time to consult a physical or occupational therapist. These professionals can guide you through more advanced techniques and provide tailored support to help your baby overcome torticollis. Additionally, the hips and pelvis are often involved in torticollis, and engaging in neck-focused exercises and positioning will not directly correct the imbalances if lower body muscle involvement is present. 



Torticollis can be frustrating for parents and babies alike, but with early intervention and purposeful play, most cases of torticollis resolve rather quickly. Reach out to our front desk if you are interested in an evaluation to further guide and support your family.