Right Plagiocephaly (Left Torticollis) - Exercises to Encourage Looking to the Left

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Please use these instructions if your child’s primary care provider has recommended neck stretching exercises and position changes for your baby because they have torticollis (tightness in their neck muscles that is limiting the movement in their neck) or they have developed plagiocephaly (a flat area on their head).

If your baby prefers to look to their RIGHT, or the RIGHT side of their head looks flat, you want to encourage your baby to look to their LEFT side more.

Exercises

These exercises can be done with each diaper change, or at least 5 times per day until your baby is moving their neck and head normally.
While doing these exercises, your child might be fussy and appear uncomfortable.
If you remain consistent in doing these exercises, your child’s ability to move their neck will gradually get better.

Improving Turning
Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona and Cranial Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona	When your baby is laying on their back, put one hand on their chest. Put your other hand on the RIGHT side of their face. Gently, but firmly, TURN their head so that their chin moves toward the LEFT shoulder. Only turn their head until the point that you start to feel resistance. Hold this position for 10-20 seconds (or as long as your baby will let you) and then release. Repeat 3-5 times.
Improving Bending
Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona and Cranial Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona	When your baby is laying on their back, put one hand on their upper chest or shoulder. Hold the top of their head with your other hand. Gently, but firmly, TILT their head to their RIGHT side. This should bring their RIGHT ear closer to their RIGHT shoulder. Only tilt their head until the point that you start to feel resistance. Hold this position for 10-20 seconds (or as long as your baby will let you) and then release. Repeat 3-5 times.

Improving Turning

Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona and Cranial Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona

When your baby is laying on their back, put one hand on their chest.
Put your other hand on the RIGHT side of their face.
Gently, but firmly, TURN their head so that their chin moves toward the LEFT shoulder.
Only turn their head until the point that you start to feel resistance.
Hold this position for 10-20 seconds (or as long as your baby will let you) and then release.
Repeat 3-5 times.

Improving Bending

When your baby is laying on their back, put one hand on their upper chest or shoulder.
Hold the top of their head with your other hand.
Gently, but firmly, TILT their head to their RIGHT side. This should bring their RIGHT ear closer to their RIGHT shoulder.
Only tilt their head until the point that you start to feel resistance.
Hold this position for 10-20 seconds (or as long as your baby will let you) and then release.
Repeat 3-5 times.

Positioning

Holding and Carrying

Over your shoulder	With baby’s back to you
With their stomach to your chest, cradle their head with your LEFT hand so they are looking to YOUR RIGHT side (THEIR LEFT side).	With their back to you, cradle their head and body in your RIGHT arm.

Over your shoulder

With baby’s back to you

With their stomach to your chest, cradle their head with your LEFT hand so they are looking to YOUR RIGHT side (THEIR LEFT side).

With their back to you, cradle their head and body in your RIGHT arm.

Seated in infant seats (not car seats) or strollers

Place small towel rolls near your baby’s hips and body to keep their body centered in the seat.
To help your baby turn their head to the LEFT, place toys to their LEFT.

Bathing

Place your baby in the bath so YOU are on their LEFT side.

Sleeping

When your baby is sleeping on their back, turn their head to the LEFT.
Place your baby in their crib so that when their head is turned to the LEFT, they are looking out into the room instead of a wall.

Feeding

Breastfeeding

Position your baby stomach-to-stomach, with your baby’s head in the middle. Their head should not be tilted.

Bottle feeding

Use the bottle to encourage your baby to turn slightly to the LEFT.
If their head is not turned, it needs to be in the midline and NOT tilted.

Playing on their back

Position your face and toys to encourage your baby to look to the LEFT.

Tummy Time

Place a small towel roll under baby’s chest to make it easier for baby to lift their head.
Place toys directly in front of, or to the LEFT of your baby.

📚 References

This content was adapted from information from Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego Physical Therapy department and patient education handouts from Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona and Cranial Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona.

Reviewed by: AR D.O., SC M.D., MB D.P.T. | 09/2024