Her favorite cranial position is leaning/tilting her head towards the left. At Elizabeth's 2 week appointment, her pediatrician noticed that she favored her left side. At her 1 month appointment the toriticollis was still an issue and we started working on some neck exercises at home, though she was still favoring the left. And at her 2 month appointment last week the pediatrician suggested that we begin working with a physical therapist to prevent needing a helmet to correct the formation of her head. The left side of her head is starting to become flat from laying on it so much. Her left neck muscles are tight, and her right neck muscles are lacking strength. And her breech-ness left her with a bulge in the back of her skull that makes it difficult to lie with her face looking straight up, thus encouraging her to roll to one side or the other. She needs to lie face up therefore placing pressure on the bulge.
Elizabeth's therapist came to the house today at noon to evaluate her situation. She says Elizabeth's torticollis is atypical, but that she has great hope that we can still straighten out her noggin and prevent the need for - *gasp* - a helmet. She wants to begin treating her pretty aggressively - two visits a week - which coincides well with me still being on maternity leave. She taught me some stretching and repositioning techniques to use with Little Bits. She's no longer allowed to lie or lean to her left side; she must be repositioned immediately. Elizabeth needs to bid farewell to her favored comfort position. This shall be a challenge to both of us - her constant desire to find that comfort spot, and my constant interference with her desire. As far as her neck strength development goes, no more using baby gear that positions her vertically (swing, bouncy seat) until her neck muscles are stronger to keep her head straight upright and not leaning to the left.
We must straighten out this poor lil thang, as helmets are not the latest trend in fashionable infant accessories. Bonnets yes, helmets no.
Elizabeth's therapist came to the house today at noon to evaluate her situation. She says Elizabeth's torticollis is atypical, but that she has great hope that we can still straighten out her noggin and prevent the need for - *gasp* - a helmet. She wants to begin treating her pretty aggressively - two visits a week - which coincides well with me still being on maternity leave. She taught me some stretching and repositioning techniques to use with Little Bits. She's no longer allowed to lie or lean to her left side; she must be repositioned immediately. Elizabeth needs to bid farewell to her favored comfort position. This shall be a challenge to both of us - her constant desire to find that comfort spot, and my constant interference with her desire. As far as her neck strength development goes, no more using baby gear that positions her vertically (swing, bouncy seat) until her neck muscles are stronger to keep her head straight upright and not leaning to the left.
We must straighten out this poor lil thang, as helmets are not the latest trend in fashionable infant accessories. Bonnets yes, helmets no.
