Baby Torticollis & Flat Head
Baby Torticollis & Flat Head
Torticollis & Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome) in Babies
Specialist Assessment, Treatment & Paediatric Physiotherapy
At London Paediatric Clinic, we provide expert assessment, treatment, and paediatric physiotherapy for babies with torticollis and plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). We understand how concerning it can be when your baby prefers turning their head to one side, develops a flattened head shape, or has restricted neck movement. Our experienced paediatricians and paediatric physiotherapists work together to identify the underlying cause, provide prompt treatment, and support healthy movement, symmetrical development, and your baby’s long-term physical wellbeing.
Torticollis occurs when the muscles on one side of a baby’s neck become tight, causing the head to tilt or rotate towards one side. If left untreated, this restricted movement can contribute to plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), where repeated pressure on one area of the soft skull leads to flattening. Both conditions are common during infancy and respond very well to early diagnosis and treatment. Prompt intervention can improve neck movement, encourage normal head shape development, support motor milestones, and reduce the need for more intensive treatment later.
Our consultant-led approach focuses on understanding your baby’s pregnancy and birth history, feeding, sleeping positions, neck movement, head shape, developmental milestones, and overall health. Working closely with our experienced paediatric physiotherapists, we provide comprehensive assessment, personalised treatment plans, gentle stretching programmes, positioning advice, developmental exercises, and ongoing monitoring tailored to your baby’s individual needs. Conveniently located in Central London, London Paediatric Clinic offers comprehensive private care for babies with torticollis and plagiocephaly, giving families rapid access to specialist assessment, evidence-based treatment, and expert support to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr Badr Chaban
MD MRCPCH MSc
Why Choose Us for Torticollis & Plagiocephaly Treatment?
Experienced Paediatricians
Our experienced paediatricians provide expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for babies with torticollis, plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), and other developmental concerns.
Comprehensive Infant Assessments
We carefully assess your baby's neck movement, head shape, posture, muscle tone, feeding, physical development, and overall health to identify the underlying cause and develop a personalised treatment plan.
Same-Day Appointments Available
Where available, we offer same-day appointments, providing prompt specialist assessment and early intervention when it can make the greatest difference.
Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapy
Our experienced paediatric physiotherapists provide personalised treatment programmes to improve neck movement, encourage symmetrical head shape development, and support healthy motor milestones.
Multidisciplinary Specialist Care
We work closely with paediatric physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, evidence-based care tailored to your baby's individual needs.
Home Visits & Central London Clinic
We offer home visits alongside our conveniently located Central London clinic, providing families with flexible access to specialist paediatric care.
Testimonials
Comprehensive Torticollis & Plagiocephaly Assessments
Every baby develops differently, and early assessment is essential to identify the cause of restricted neck movement or changes in head shape. During appointments, our experienced paediatricians carry out a detailed assessment of your baby’s pregnancy and birth history, feeding, sleeping positions, developmental milestones, neck movement, muscle tone, posture, head shape, and overall health. We carefully assess the severity of torticollis and plagiocephaly, identify any contributing factors, and develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your baby’s individual needs.
We assess babies with head tilt, limited neck movement, a preference for looking to one side, flattening of the head, facial asymmetry, feeding difficulties related to neck positioning, delayed motor milestones, or concerns about head shape and physical development. Where appropriate, we can arrange prompt access to paediatric physiotherapy, developmental assessments, imaging, and other specialist services, ensuring every baby receives coordinated, evidence-based care and the best possible opportunity for healthy growth and development.
Fees and Pricing
Clear, transparent pricing is an important part of planning your care. The following guide outlines consultation fees and typical costs for prostate cancer surgery.
Initial Consultation
£300
Clear, transparent pricing is an important part of planning your care. The following guide outlines consultation fees and typical costs for paediatric consultation.
Follow-Up Consultation
£300
Follow-up appointments are available before or after treatment to review progress, discuss results, and provide ongoing guidance.
Private Medical Insurance
At London Paediatric Clinic, we aim to make accessing specialist paediatric care as straightforward as possible. We accept most major private medical insurers and can provide guidance regarding authorisation requirements, coverage, and the options available to you, helping make the process clear and stress-free so you can focus on your child's health and wellbeing.
Understanding Torticollis & Plagiocephaly
Torticollis, sometimes called “wry neck”, occurs when the muscles on one side of a baby’s neck become tight, causing the head to tilt to one side while the chin points towards the opposite shoulder. This restricted movement often causes babies to prefer looking in one direction, and because they spend prolonged periods resting in the same position, they may develop plagiocephaly, commonly known as flat head syndrome.
Plagiocephaly is caused by repeated pressure on one area of a baby’s soft, developing skull and does not affect brain growth or development. However, early assessment and treatment are important to improve neck movement, encourage symmetrical head shape, support normal motor development, and reduce the likelihood of long-term flattening. With prompt intervention, most babies respond very well and achieve excellent outcomes.
Recognising the Signs of Torticollis & Plagiocephaly
The signs of torticollis and plagiocephaly often become noticeable during the first few months of life. Babies with torticollis may consistently turn their head to one side, have difficulty looking in the opposite direction, develop a head tilt, or become unsettled when encouraged to move their neck. Babies with plagiocephaly may develop flattening on one side of the back of the head, facial asymmetry, uneven ear positioning, or changes in head shape as they grow.
Recognising these signs early is important because treatment is most effective while a baby’s skull and neck muscles are still developing. Early assessment, paediatric physiotherapy, and personalised positioning advice can improve neck movement, encourage symmetrical head growth, support healthy motor development, and help achieve the best possible long-term outcomes.
What Causes Torticollis & Plagiocephaly?
Torticollis most commonly develops because of tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle on one side of the neck. This may occur due to your baby’s position in the womb, a difficult or assisted delivery, multiple births, or restricted movement before birth. Because babies with torticollis often prefer to keep their head turned towards one side, prolonged pressure on the same area of the soft skull can lead to plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).
Although torticollis and plagiocephaly are common and usually respond very well to early treatment, they can occasionally be associated with other medical or developmental conditions. Our experienced paediatricians carry out a thorough assessment to identify any underlying causes, exclude other conditions where necessary, and ensure your baby receives the most appropriate treatment and ongoing support for healthy growth and development.
When Should You Seek Specialist Advice?
Specialist assessment may be beneficial if your baby consistently turns their head to one side, has limited neck movement, develops a head tilt, shows flattening of the head, has difficulty feeding because of neck positioning, or is slower to achieve motor milestones. Parents who notice changes in their baby’s head shape, facial asymmetry, or a persistent preference for looking in one direction should also seek specialist advice as early as possible.
Early assessment provides the best opportunity for successful treatment while your baby’s skull and neck muscles are still developing. Through prompt diagnosis, specialist paediatric physiotherapy, and personalised treatment, we help improve neck movement, encourage symmetrical head shape development, support healthy motor development, and give your baby the best possible start in life.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Following assessment, we provide clear explanations and personalised recommendations tailored to your baby’s individual needs. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include paediatric physiotherapy, gentle stretching exercises, positioning techniques, tummy time advice, developmental exercises, feeding advice, and ongoing monitoring. Our aim is to improve neck movement, encourage symmetrical head shape development, support healthy motor development, and help your baby achieve the best possible outcomes.
Working closely with our multidisciplinary team, we coordinate every aspect of your baby’s care and can arrange prompt access to additional investigations or specialist services where appropriate. Through regular follow-up, ongoing monitoring, and personalised treatment programmes, we ensure your baby’s care evolves alongside their development, helping them make the best possible progress during these important early months.
Concerned About Your Baby's Head Shape or Neck Movement?
If your baby prefers turning their head to one side, has developed a flat area on their head, or has restricted neck movement, an early specialist assessment can make a significant difference. Our experienced paediatricians provide expert diagnosis, specialist paediatric physiotherapy, and personalised treatment plans to improve neck movement, encourage healthy head shape development, support normal motor milestones, and give your baby the best possible start in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are torticollis and plagiocephaly diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on a detailed assessment of your baby’s neck movement, head shape, posture, muscle tone, developmental milestones, and overall health. In most cases, a thorough clinical examination is all that is required, although additional investigations may occasionally be recommended if another underlying condition is suspected.
Can torticollis and plagiocephaly be treated successfully?
Yes. When identified early, most babies respond very well to treatment. Early intervention during the first year of life often leads to significant improvements in neck movement, head shape, and overall physical development.
Will my baby need physiotherapy?
Many babies benefit from paediatric physiotherapy to improve neck movement, increase flexibility, strengthen the neck muscles, and encourage symmetrical movement and motor development. Treatment programmes are always tailored to your baby’s individual needs.
Will my baby need a helmet?
Most babies improve with early physiotherapy, repositioning techniques, and simple exercises, meaning helmet therapy is not required. Helmet treatment is only considered in selected cases after specialist assessment when significant head flattening persists despite appropriate conservative treatment.
Can torticollis affect my baby's development?
If left untreated, torticollis may contribute to delays in certain motor milestones and increase the likelihood of persistent head shape changes. Early diagnosis and treatment help support healthy physical development and reduce the risk of longer-term complications.
Will my baby need ongoing follow-up?
Some babies require only a short course of treatment, while others benefit from ongoing monitoring as they grow and develop. Follow-up is tailored to your baby’s individual progress, ensuring treatment continues until normal movement and development are achieved.
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not usually need a GP or hospital referral to arrange a private assessment for torticollis or plagiocephaly at London Paediatric Clinic.
How quickly can my baby be seen?
We understand how important early treatment is for babies with torticollis and plagiocephaly. London Paediatric Clinic offers prompt appointments and, where available, same-day consultations, providing rapid access to experienced paediatricians, specialist physiotherapy, and personalised care without unnecessary delays.
Need to Speak to a Paediatrician Today?
Whether you have concerns about your child’s health, development, behaviour, sleep, nutrition, or wellbeing, our experienced paediatric team is here to help. Same-day appointments are available where possible, helping families access expert care when they need it most.
Our Location
Address: 90 Sloane Street, Chelsea SW1X 9PQ
Conveniently located at 90 Sloane Street in the heart of Central London, London Paediatric Clinic offers easy access to expert private paediatric care for babies, children, and teenagers.