Osteopathy for preferred head turning in your baby
Does your baby constantly look to the same side, or do they struggle to turn their head the other way? This could indicate a preference for one side. Many parents notice this in the first few weeks of their baby's life, sometimes accompanied by a flattening of the head. Osteopathy offers a gentle, pain-free way to investigate the cause of the preferred head position, rather than just addressing the position itself.
In this text, you will read what a preferred head position is, how to recognise it, and how osteopathic treatment can help your baby move freely in both directions again.
A preferred posture.
With a preferred position, your baby will always turn their head to the same side and the neck or shoulder on that side often feels a bit tight or restricted. This is usually caused by slight tension around the base of the skull and the upper neck vertebrae. This tension may have already developed during pregnancy, during birth, or with a rapid or prolonged descent.
Sometimes it is also referred to as torticollis. This causes increased tension or shortening in the neck muscle (the sternocleidomastoid muscle), making it significantly more difficult to turn the head to one side. An osteopath will investigate whether the restriction is primarily in the muscles, the joints, or the skull.
Hoe herken je een voorkeurshouding bij je baby?
A preferred posture manifests slightly differently in each baby. Common signs include:
- Your baby is constantly looking to the same side, even while sleeping.;
- Turning to the other side is difficult or causes restlessness.;
- The neck or shoulder feels tight or restricted on one side;
- The back of the head is flattening on one side (plagiocephaly);
- Your baby clearly drinks more easily from one breast than the other.
Preferred posture and a flat head (plagiocephaly)
Because your baby consistently lies on the same side, the head can gradually flatten on that side. In the first months of life, the skull is still easily influenced, making guidance particularly important during this phase. A flattening often stems from the preferred position itself, so restoring free mobility is the foundation.
A flat head can develop due to:
- the position in the uterus;
- a long or quick labour;
- an instrumental delivery;
- A persistent preferred posture;
- mechanical compression of the skull base.
What does osteopathy do for a preferred posture?
As an osteopath, I don't just look at the neck, but at your baby's entire body. Tension around the skull, the upper neck vertebrae, or the pelvis can cause your baby to feel more comfortable on one side, thereby developing a preference. With gentle, manual techniques, I aim to restore those movement restrictions, so your baby can freely look both ways again.
The treatment is always gentle, painless, and fully tailored to your baby's age and situation.
What does the treatment involve?
- A comprehensive medical history regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and your baby's **presentation**.
- Examination of the skull, neck, spine and pelvis.
- Gentle techniques to release tension and restore neck and skull mobility.
- Practical advice on posture, lifting posture, feeding and playtimes.
Early treatment (0–6 months) often yields the best results, because your baby's skull and posture still change significantly during this period. Usually, a few treatments are enough to see noticeable improvement.
When to go to the well-baby clinic or the osteopath?
Osteopathy is a supplement to regular care, not a replacement. The baby clinic also monitors preferred head positioning and flattening of the head. If in doubt or if symptoms persist, I always consult with the GP, midwife, or paediatrician. If you are concerned, please contact your baby clinic or GP first.
Would you like to know if osteopathy can help your baby with a preferred head position? Feel free to get in touch or easily book an appointment online in Leiden or The Hague.
