Torticollis, Flat Heads, and Tummy Time Troubles:

What to Watch for in Your Baby’s First 9 Months

The baby stage is full of sweet moments—first smiles, cozy snuggles, those adorable little coos. But it’s also a time of rapid growth, big developmental leaps, and, sometimes… confusion.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your baby’s head shape is normal, if they’re turning their head equally, or if they’re doing enough tummy time—you’re not alone. As pediatric physical and occupational therapists, we field these questions all the time. The good news? Many concerns that show up in the first 9 months are easy to treat when caught early.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

• Common conditions like torticollis and plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome)
  

• What’s normal and what’s not with tummy time and milestones
  

• Simple things you can do at home
  

• When and how to get help
  

And if you’re local to us in Galloway, NJ, don’t miss our free Baby+Me Playskills class—a great chance to ask questions, get screened by a pro, and bond with other parents.

What Is Torticollis?

Torticollis is when a baby favors turning or tilting their head to one side due to tightness or weakness in the neck muscles—most commonly the sternocleidomastoid (say that five times fast!).

Signs of torticollis include:

• Head tilted to one side
  

• Trouble turning the head both directions
  

• Baby always looking one way when sleeping or feeding
  

• Flat spot on one side of the head
  

It can develop in utero due to positioning or can occur from how a baby sleeps or spends time in gear (car seats, swings, etc.).

The earlier it’s identified, the easier it is to treat. Therapy focuses on stretches, strengthening, and helping the baby move through their world with symmetry.

What Is Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)?

Plagiocephaly means a baby has a flattened area of the head, often from consistent pressure on one side. It’s sometimes caused by torticollis (baby can’t rotate their head to distribute pressure), but it can also result from sleep positioning.

Remember: “Back to Sleep” is important to reduce SIDS risk—but we also need “Tummy to Play” and “Variety of Holding” to support healthy development.

Signs of plagiocephaly:

• One side of the back of the head looks flat
  

• The ears or facial features look uneven
  

• Flatness that gets worse over time instead of improving

Why Tummy Time Matters So Much

Tummy time is not just a milestone—it’s a foundation.

When babies spend time on their tummies while awake and supervised, they:

• Build neck and upper body strength
  

• Learn to push up, roll, and eventually crawl
  

• Promote proper head shape
  

• Stimulate sensory and motor development
  
  

We often hear: “My baby hates tummy time!” And yep—that’s common. But the trick is starting early, doing it often, and keeping it fun.

How Much Tummy Time Should My Baby Do?

✅ Newborns (0–1 month): A few minutes, a few times a day
✅ 2–3 months: Work up to 20–30 minutes daily
✅ 4+ months: Aim for 60–90 minutes per day total

This doesn’t mean one long session. Break it up into short, engaging bursts throughout the day. Use mirrors, high-contrast toys, songs, or even your face for encouragement. Chest-to-chest with a caregiver counts too!

When to Get Help

Sometimes, all your baby needs is more variety, more movement, and a little encouragement. But don’t wait if you notice:

• A strong side preference for turning or tilting
  

• A flat spot getting worse
  

• Resistance to tummy time despite consistent effort
  

• Missed milestones (like not rolling by 5–6 months)
  

• Fussiness or discomfort with head movement
  

We offer free screens every week at our Baby+Me Playskills class, and our pediatric therapists are experts at assessing the big picture.

What to Expect at Our Baby+Me Class

We created this class because we wanted to combine:

• Screening for common concerns
  

• Community and connection
  

• Support for parents (and grandparents too!)
  

• Fun and gentle developmental play
  

💬 We often catch early signs of things like torticollis or flat head syndrome before pediatricians do. That’s not a knock on your doctor—they may only see your baby for 10 minutes at a time. We spend 45 minutes playing, watching, and engaging.

You’ll leave with:

• Helpful ideas for home
  

• Confidence in your baby’s progress
  

• Referrals if therapy is needed
  

• A few new parent friends

Pro Tips for At-Home Support

💡 Switch sides often when feeding, holding, and playing
💡 Do diaper changes from both sides
💡 Use babywearing for hands-free variety in head position
💡 Limit gear time (bouncers, swings, car seats) to encourage movement
💡 Get on the floor with your baby—narrate, sing, play

The best developmental support is free, simple, and already in your daily routine.

A Real Parent Story:

“One of the moms in our Baby+Me class noticed her baby always looked to the right. We screened her and found mild torticollis. She had just a few PT sessions and now turns both ways equally—and her flat spot has evened out. The mom was so relieved she didn’t ‘wait and see’ and loves being part of the class now.”

You’ve Got This—And We’ve Got You

Babies grow fast—but early support lasts a lifetime.

If you’re wondering whether your baby is on track, don’t stress—come play with us! A simple screening and a few pro tips may be all you need.

🧸 Join us for FREE!

Baby+Me Playskills Class
📍 311 S New York Road, Galloway, NJ
🕙 Wednesdays at 10:15 AM
💻 Sign up here