How Torticollis Can Affect Your Baby’s Feeding

Feeding is something that is often brushed over when preparing for birth, and becomes a real focus once baby is born. It is something that many parents and babies experience difficulty and/or pain with. When something seems off—like your baby consistently turning their head one way, struggling or causing pain when latching, or becoming fussy during feeds—it can be both confusing and stressful.

One possible cause that often flies under the radar? Torticollis.

What Is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a condition in which a baby’s neck muscles are tight – specifically through the sternocleidomastoid muscle (amongst others), causing their head to tilt to one side and/or rotate more easily in one direction than the other. It’s is a common condition that has been reported to affect at least 1 in 6 babies.

How Torticollis Affects Feeding

Feeding—whether by breast, bottle, or both—requires good head and neck mobility, jaw range of motion, jaw strength, and comfortable positioning. When torticollis is present, a baby may struggle with any of these, leading to feeding challenges like:

1. Preference for One Breast or Side

A baby with torticollis may:

• Consistently feed better on one breast.

• Cry or refuse the other side.

• Arch or pull away when placed in an uncomfortable feeding position. 

Turning their head to the tighter side may be difficult or uncomfortable. Babies are not like adults and don’t like to stretch the tight muscle themselves. Instead, they feel the uncomfortable feeling when their neck is stretched and continue to avoid it. 

2. Shallow Latch or Poor Suction

The restricted neck movement can affect how well a baby latches onto the breast or bottle, leading to:

• Clicking sounds during feeding

• Milk leaking from the mouth

• Short, inefficient feeds

3. Fussiness and Fatigue

Feeding may take more effort when neck muscles are tight or sore. Your baby may:

• Tire quickly

• Seem frustrated or fussy mid-feed

• Fall asleep before getting a full feed

4. Digestive Discomfort

Poor positioning can lead to increased swallowing of air, which may cause:

• Gassiness

• Reflux-like symptoms

• Increased spit-up

5. Disrupted Sleep: 

Difficulty feeding due to tightness can often lead to babies experiencing: 

• Difficulty lying flat

• Difficulty staying asleep due to tummy discomfort

• Preference to sleep on parents in more vertical position

6. Poor tolerance to tummy time: 

• Babies with upset tummy’s due to inhaled air or gut discomfort don’t like lying on their tummy

• Reduced strength when lifting their neck due to neck tightness and weakness

• Preference to arch back or lift shoulders all the way off the ground 

What can you do?

The good news? Torticollis is very treatable, especially when caught early. Here’s how you can support your baby’s feeding and overall development:

1. Get a Feeding Assessment

If you're seeing signs of feeding difficulties, ask for help early. A feeding speech therapist or lactation consultant (IBCLC) can assess your baby’s latch, positioning, and oral-motor function.

2. Work with a Pediatric Physiotherapist

A Physiotherapist can:

• Gently stretch and strengthen the neck muscles

• Improve head and neck coordination

• Teach you positioning techniques that make feeding more comfortable

• Develop sensory systems such as visual tracking or vestibular maturity

 3. Try Alternate Feeding Positions

Adjusting how you hold your baby can make a huge difference. Some tips:

• A Physiotherapist will be able to show you the position that reduces the babies neck discomfort. When feeding, babies are best placed in a position of comfort that allows their muscles to relax and work as efficiently as possible. 

• Support your baby's body with pillows to reduce muscle strain to support them to use their muscles for feeding rather than postural control.,

4. Encourage Tummy Time and Movement

Daily tummy time helps strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, encouraging symmetrical development. Also try:

• Offering toys on the non-preferred side

• Carrying your baby in a carrier with proper neck support

• Limiting time in car seats or swings where movement is restricted

We notice that in babies with neck tightness, these strategies are often unsuccessful without first addressing the neck tightness and weakness with a physiotherapist. Irrespective, we still recommend trialling these as they can support small improvements in combination with physiotherapy led treatment. 

When to Seek Help

If you notice any of these signs, reach out to book in an appointment with one of our physiotherapists: 

• Baby tilts head to one side

• Difficulty latching or staying latched

• Clicking sounds or frequent breaks when feeding

• Feeding well only on one breast or only in a specific position

• Flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly)

• Trouble turning head evenly in both directions

• Reduced tolerance to tummy time 

Feeding challenges can be frustrating and emotional—but you are not alone, and support is available. If your baby has torticollis, early intervention can make a world of difference—not just in feeding, but in comfort, movement, growth and sleep (which is so important for the whole family!)

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions on feeding!